Kuldīga.
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Overview

Kuldīga is a picturesque town on the Venta River in the Kurzeme region (formerly Courland) of western Latvia. Its old town was listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. Tourism in the town is based on its historical and cultural heritage and the Venta River which is one of the largest and most picturesque rivers of Latvia.

Understand

With the smaller Alekšupīte River running through its old town centre, it is known as "The Latvian Venice". Indeed the river flows alongside the walls of many of the town’s houses. Like Ventspils, Kuldīga's streets are all made of various kinds of cobblestone.

Local authorities aim to make the old town of Kuldīga an important international tourism destination, to attract domestic and foreign tourists and contribute to the sustainable development of the town.

The historic and architectural heritage of Kuldīga is well preserved. In the park near the Kuldīga district museum fragments of the stone wall and the cellar of the first Kuldīga castle, built in 1242 by German knights, have been preserved. Later Duke Jacob’s castle (ruined in 1701) was there as well. Today it is a sculpture park. The old brick bridge across the Venta, built in 1874, is one of the longest of its type in Europe.

The Old Town Hall was built in the 17th century. The cellar of the building was the first prison in Kuldīga. The oldest wooden building in Courland was built in 1670 near the town square on the banks of the River Alekšupīte.

The town square was an old assembly place for people. Traditional cultural heritage is part of everyday life in Kuldīga with textile workshops and celebrations of national festivals. There are also more contemporary events such as the annual running competition on the Alekšupīte (River of Aleksis) and the ‘naked people run’ over the historical bridge on the Venta River at Midsummer night.

Get in

There are several daily buses, taking 2-3 hours from capital Rīga and frequent bus connections from nearby Ventspils and Talsi. Check 1188.lv for details.

Get around

Most of Kuldīga's attractions are within walking distance.

Only the sand caves are 4-5 km north of the Ventas River bridge. You might want to try hitch-hiking there, but people can be hesitant to take you along the way, because it is mostly families and couples going there. Alternatively, take a local taxi, which usually are available near bus station ("Maxima" or "Rimi" supermarkets)

See

Most of the main attractions are close to each other and easily reached by foot, except for the sand caves.

Historical Centre of Kuldīga. Kuldīga is a small and attractive town that has always been admired and praised by poets and painters. The city centre, which developed in the 17th and 18th centuries, has still preserved the old wooden buildings which form small and narrow streets.

Kuldiga Castle Park. Pleasant park with sculptures around the ruins of the castle. Sculptures by Latvian sculptor Līvija Rezevska, an Honorary Citizen of Kuldīga. Most of them were made during Soviet era.

The oldest wooden house in Kurzeme. Wooden architecture, second part of 1630s, red-tile roof, splendid weather-vane, bridge of Venice of Kuldīga, lodging.

Kuldiga District Museum. In Kuldiga Castle Park, on the site of the old castle. Only fragments of the castle remain. Interesting snapshot to life in the mansion in the beginning of the 20th century. Museum also has a wide playing cards collection!

Brick bridge across the Venta. At 164 m, it is the longest road bridge of this kind in Europe. It was built in 1874 according to 19th-century standards: 500 feet long and 26 feet wide (152 m by 8 m), allowing two carriages to pass each other. It consists of seven spans of brick vaults. Two of the spans were blown up during World War I, and rebuilt in concrete, rather than brick, in 1926.

Venta Rapid. This 240-m-wide waterfall is the widest in Europe. It is easily viewed from the brick bridge, 200 m downstream. Its 2-m height is not impressive when viewed from the bridge – you have to get down on the river bank to appreciate its height. The naturally formed waterfall is an obstacle for spawning fish in the spring and is associated with a number of legends and historic events. In medieval times, due to Duke Jacob’s invented devices for catching jumping fish in the air (on the waterfall) Kuldīga was considered the place "where salmon were caught in the air". Flying fish shows (salmon jumping up over the waterfall) attract visitors to the town in spring time. If you visit Kuldīga in summer, take a swim in waterfall and get a "free massage" under the waterfall as many locals do!

Alekšupīte River. This small tributary of the Venta runs through the old town, right alongside the walls of many buildings, which is why Kuldīga has been called the Venice of Latvia. The buildings of the town centre were constructed as a suburb to Kuldīga Castle. In 1701, during the Great Northern War, the Swedish army invaded Kuldīga Castle and in 1709 it became uninhabitable, but in the 19th-century the castle ruins were relocated.

Alekšupīte Waterfall. Highest waterfall in Latvia, 4.5 m high, the first paper mill in Kurzeme, dam, view over the River Venta. A dam was built here in the 17th century to use the stream to operate the first paper mill in Kurzeme. The waterfall is artificial.

St. Catherine’s Church. A Lutheran church that was built in 1252 and later rebuilt with baroque style wood carvings on the altar. The church was given the name of St Catherine, the patroness of the town. Duke Jacob's baptism and his wedding to Princess Louisa Charlotte of Brandenburg took place here. Church is open for visitors and it's possible to go up the tower.

Kuldīga Synagogue. This is one of the largest buildings in town with gorgeous interior of gilded marble. It houses the city library.

Liepāja street. A pedestrian street with several 17th- to 20th-century buildings, interesting doors and special windows.

Sculptress Līvija Rezevska’s sculpture museum. Founded in 2003. Visitors may see more than 15 sculptures characterizing Latvia, its strength, unity and love.

Riežupe Sand Caves. The longest underground cave labyrinth in the Baltics (about 2 km – 460 m can be toured). In the beginning, the sand was sold as washing sand and for cemetery purposes. During Duke Jacob’s reign the white quartz sand from the caves was taken by ships to Riga and abroad for glass production. The quartz sand is very clean and pure. The caves are protected by a clay layer above from rain water and such. Also, the cave structure is stable due to the dolmen layers atop. The site is in good order, there is a parking and some attractions for kids. Tourists walk with guides (the older lady is spiritual and entertaining). A tour into the caves lying 16 m underground, takes 15-30 min, depending on the number of people, through the narrow cave passages, sometimes in cowering position.

Venta high shore "The Black Kolka". A magnificent view on the Venta river from high up, a quiet and contemplative place. There are also some horse stables with horses roaming further away if you follow the road away the town, part of what was once the medieval "Old Kuldīga", as well as a medieval settlement (a hillfort) which is of interest for archeologists ("Kuldīgas pilskalns").

Kuldīgas skatu tornis. A 25 meter tall, slanted observation tower in the Pārventa park overlooking the river.

Do

Get a free massage from Venta Rapid. You can sit under the waterfall and the water will fall down onto your back providing a free massage. Just find a flat stone (i.e. close to the river bank) that is suitable to sit and give it a try.

Walk the town park. The park is very nice, with hills, winding paths, flowers, sculptures and water.

Cycling Festival and Cycling Night. The largest non-commercial bicycle marathon in Latvia, since 2010. Various routes at several distances are available. The traditional late-night ride will also be held.

Buy

Kuuld. High quality souvenirs and art by local craftspeople.

Eat

Restaurant Staburadze. This used to be a better place. No pelmeni, the herring with cottage cheese and potatoes was nice though.

Drink

DUNA Brewery. Local traditional brewery, also has modern experimental drinks such as beer aged in wine barrels and various lemonades, cocktails

Sleep

Hotel Metropole Kuldīga. Offers 14 furnished rooms. From the windows, a sight to the busiest pedestrian street of Kuldiga, Liepaja Street, opens, but in case you want more quiet view, hotel has rooms with view of the river Aleksu that cranks though the very heart of Kuldiga.

Guesthouse/camping "Ventas Rumba". Good place to stay if one wants the sound of the river or to go for a free waterfall massage in the morning.