Kuldiga
Kuldiga, the ancient town of Courland (Kurzeme), lies on the River Venta where the waterfall Rumba has formed.
Every other spring one can enjoy the Kārlis Davidovs international cello competition. Kuldīga is the birthplace of a world famous cellist, teacher and composer.
During spring visitors can observe the spring show “Fish fly in Kuldīga” – a unique scene performed by vimbas and salmon jumping over the falls.
In summer everyone is invited to the Kuldīga town festival “a Feast in Kuldīga”. It is a very popular summer event in Kurzeme with different kinds of activities activities – an extreme run along the Alekšupīte River, egg fights, concerts, and theatrical parade.
The historical center of Kuldīga is an architectural monument with original buildings, narrow streets and tiled roofs. An original feature of every house is its entrance door decorated with woodcarvings and the skylight windows above it.
In 2007 Kuldīga has been awarded by the European Commision as the best emerging rural European destination of excellence. In 2008 the European heritage label has been awarded to the town.
Its old brick bridge across the river Venta. The bridge is one of the longest brick bridges in Europe.
Implementing the project “Restoration of the Old Brick Bridge across the River Venta and Establishment of an Attractive Tourism Territory in the Heart of Kuldīga” co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund a unique cultural monument has been preserved.
16m high sightseeing tower is one of the stops on the new trail of ecotourism on the banks of the river Venta. Nature trails have been established in 2007 within the framework of the project “Development of Ecotourism Infrastructure in Nature Territory of Special Protection “Venta valley”” co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
Facts about Kuldiga
Kuldīga - a small town located in the western part of Latvia, it is a geographical center of Kurzeme region. The town is situated 160 km away from the capital Rīga, 100 km away from the biggest city of Kurzeme Liepāja, and 60 km from the biggest sea-port Ventspils.
It gained city rights in 1378.
The town occupies the territory of 13.2 km2.
Population – 13 010 (2008).
Kuldīga town history
Kuldiga, the ancient town of Courland (Kurzeme), lies on the River Venta where the waterfall Rumba has formed. This used to be the centre of the former territory of the Cours, Bandava. The hillfort of Veckuldīga, that lies near the present town on the left bank of the River Venta, was the biggest hillfort of the Cours. Already in the 9th century a settlement was formed near it. In the first part of the 13th century the territory of the Cours was invaded by German knights. The castle of the Cours was burnt down but the settlement remaind for some time.
To consolidate their military power the knights started to build stone castles. One of them rose on the banks of the River Venta opposite the waterfall. They started building it in 1242 – this was the very first time when the name of Kuldiga was mentioned in any kind of official documents. In the 14th century the town had already formed next to the castle. In 1368 Kuldiga became the member of the Hanseatic League. From 1596-1616 Kuldiga was the capital of the Duchy of Courland. During the reign of Duke Jakob (1642.-1682.) the Duchy of Courland and Kuldiga experienced its boom. During the Great Northern War in 1702 the Swedish army plundered and destroyed the castle so badly that it became uninhabitable. tilts
The coat of arms of Kuldiga features St Catherine holding a torture wheel in her hand in the red background. St Catherine was the patroness of the town and the first church in Kuldiga built in 1252 was given her name. Originally it was a wooden church but in 1567 the building of the stone church was begun. During the centuries it has been renovated for several times.
The proud of Kuldiga is the ancient brick bridge across the River Venta (1873-1874) and the old town with its 17th - 18th century buildings. An original feature of every house is its entrance door decorated with wood-carvings, the skylight windows above it and the tiled roofs which are characteristics exclusive to Kuldiga.
The memory of Duke Jacob has been immortalized by naming the new open air stage in Parventa, where opera performances and concerts take place in summers, after his name.
Today Kuldiga is the district centre with 13,5 thousand inhabitants. Summer comes to Kuldiga with a variety of exciting events. The most popular event is the traditional Kuldiga Town Festival, which takes place at the 3rd weekend of July.
The coat of arms of Kuldiga
The red shield of Coats of Arms has silver picture of St Catharine with martyr’s crown on her head, with a wheel of torture and prayer beads “rosary” in her right hand and with a sword in her left hand. The coat of arms has been officially authorized in 1938.
The flag of Kuldiga
The flag of Kuldiga was first authorized in 1992 for the 750 anniversary of Kuldiga. The author of the flag is Martiņš Heimrats.
There is a wheel depicted in the flag; it symbolizes connection of Kuldiga with other towns of the Hanseatic League and with Coats of Arms of Kuldiga. The colours from times of Duke Jacob have been used in the flag – black, red and silver.
Composition of the flag – the principle of flags of other Latvian cities – Riga, Liepaja, Jelgava, Daugavpils. Horizontal stripes of colours – with coats of arms in the middle. Colours – colours of stripes – red and black according to Duke Jacob’s black lobster on the red background.
Kuldīgas pilsētas dome
Adrese: Baznīcas iela 1, Kuldīga, LV 3301
Telefons: +371 633 22469
Mājas lapa: www.kuldiga.lv
PHOTO GALLERY KULDIGA
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