Liepaja city
Liepaja is the third largest city in Latvia, a city of successful changes as the people living here on the stretch of sand between the amber sea and the lake for more than 750 years have always been tough, wise and daring.
Liepaja has balance in everything: The city is not crowded yet, it has all the best business and entertainment possibilities one could need.
You should visit Holy Trinity Church to hear the world's largest historic unreconstructed organ with 141 stops and 7000 pipes.
You should visit Karosta and see the Officer's Palace, Marine Cathedral, Riding Manege, Fortifications and the Northern Breakwater, Old Prison and interactive show Behind the Bars.
You should go to a concert by Liepaja Symphony Orchestra and afterwards relax in one of the beautiful cafes and restaurants in the city centre.
You should go for a romantic walk in Seaside Park enjoying the wind and the sunset reflections in the linden trees.
You should come to the City Celebrations in the middle of July and see Rally Kurzeme.
You should dance and sing all night in one of the rock music festivals and later go to bathe your tired feet in the Baltic Sea and feel the sand of Liepaja beach with the whitest sand in the Baltics.
Facts about Liepaja and Liepaja district
Population of Liepaja city: 87 000. Population of Liepaja region: 140 000, almost half of all Kurzeme region.
Main industries: metal processing, textile, food, paper production, ship building.
Main advantages: low-tax environment, ice-free port, easy access to Western and Eastern countries.
Main attractions: Karosta - former military base from Tsarist and Soviet time, Holy Trinity Church organ and beautiful beach.
Events: classical and rock music festivals, international rally Kurzeme.
History of Liepaja
Liepaja is located in Kurzeme administrative region. In the ancient times this was the territory of two people - Livs and Curonians. Liepaja has developed from small fishermen villages located near Liva River. On April 4, 1253 this place was first mentioned in documents, dividing this land between Livonian Order and Bishop of Courland.
In 1560, when the Order fell apart, Liepaja with its surrounding territories was pledged to Prussia.On March 18, 1625 Frederich, Duke of Courland signed the document granting Liepaja city rights. As Liva River often got chocked with sand the dredging of canal begun in 1697. The city grew with the development of port.
In 1795 Courland (today - Kurzeme) became a province of the Russian Empire and Liepaja Port was used for export of grain, wood, linen, wool, oil, etc. The peak of city's development started with the construction of Liepaja - Romni (today in Ukraine) railway. A Transatlantic ferry line Liepaja - New York - Halifax was opened in 1906. This progress fostered also the development of local industry - many companies including the ascendant of today's Liepājas Metalurgs were opened in this time. In 1914 the population of Liepaja was 110 thousand.
Russian Tsar Nikolay II believed that Liepaja is a perfect place for a fortress. From 1899 to 1909 a military port, and 8 km of land forts were constructed. Although this fortress was never used, the military town built around it with Officer's Palace, Orthodox Church, and Riding Manege that were later used by the Soviet Army, are a great monument of history and a tourist attraction.
After regaining of independence Liepaja has worked hard to change from a military city into a modern port city marked on European maps. The commercial port was re-opened in 1991. In 1994 last Russian Federation troops left Liepaja.
Since then Liepaja has engaged in international co-operation, has found 11 twin and partner cities and is an active partner in several co-operation networks. In 1997 Liepaja Special Economic Zone providing low tax environment was established for 20 years in order to attract foreign investments and facilitate the economic development of Liepaja.
The coat of arms of Liepaja city
Liepāja city seal - on silver background, red Kurzeme lion with split tail, which with front feet holds linden tree - approved four days after gaining of city rights in the March 22, 1625. Seal as city mark has been used for a long time in Liepāja flag and stamp. Oldest Liepāja stamp with seal in it is pressed under the Liepāja baker guild city town council approved statutes in year 1635.
The flag of Liepaja city
Liepaja flag - rectangle form with two equal with horizontal belts - top one in dark red color, bottom one is green. In the middle of the flag is located Colored Liepāja city seal. Modern flag is authentic to the one approved in year 1938 by 'Law of Liepaja city flag ', when city was officially for the first time given its own flag. One of the oldest Liepaja flags can bee seen in Liepāja history and art museum, it was created around year 1750 at the time of Duke Kārlis. It is different from the present one - at the time flag was created from green silk, decorated with roman god pictures, as well as patriotic writings in Latin.
Liepaja city council
Address: Liepāja, Rožu 6, LV3401
Phone: +371 63404750
Fax: +371 63423391
E-mail: apc@dome.liepaja.lv
Website: www.liepaja.lv
Liepāja region council
Address: Graudu iela 27, Liepāja, LV-3401.
Phone: +371 63422238
E-mail: lrp@lrp.lv
Website: www.liepajasrajons.lv
PHOTO GALLERY LIEPAJA
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