OBJECTS OF INTEREST

1. “Ventas Rumba” is the widest waterfall in Europe (240m). Many legends and historical events are connected with it. In ancient times due to Duke Jacob’s invented devices for catching fish on the Venta waterfall, Kuldiga was mentioned as the place where salmon were caught in the air.

2. The old brick bridge across the Venta built in 1874 is one of the longest its type of bridges in Europe. The bridge was built according to the road standards of the 19^th century (500 feet long and 26 feet wide) so that two carriages could pass each other on it. The bridge has often been used for shooting films including “Emil’s Mischiefs”.

3. The Medieval Historical Centre of Kuldiga on the banks of the River Alekšupīte is a unique area. It is the only ensemble of buildings of its type on the River Alekšupīte in the Baltics which has remained from the 17^th-18^th centuries. The river flows along the walls of many houses, due to this Kuldiga is called “The Latvian Venice”. Originally it was built as the suburb of Kuldiga castle.

4. The waterfall on the river Alekšupīte (4.5m) is the highest waterfall in Latvia. In the 17^th century it was embanked to be used in conjunction with the first paper mill in Kurzeme.

5. The park near Kuldiga district museum – the place where the first Kuldiga castle used to be situated. It was built in 1242 by German knights. Only some fragments of the stone wall and the castle cellar have been preserved to this day. Later Duke Jacob’s castle was situated here as well (ruined in 1701). Today it is a sculpture park where the sculptress Livija Rezevska’s sculptures are located.

6. Kuldiga District Museum was dismantled and moved from Paris in 1900 where it was used as a Russian pavilion at the Worl exibition. The building was bought by a merchant from Liepāja and taken to Kuldiga to present it to his fiancee.

7. St Catherine’s Church - Originally a church was situated here already in 1252. However, it was built anew with baroque style wood carvings on the altar. In this church Duke Jacob was baptized and later married to princess Louisa Charlotte from Brandenburg. The church was given the name of St Catherine, the patroness of the town.

8. Kuldiga Old Town Hall and Town Square - The Old Town Hall was built in 17^th century. The cellar of the building was the first prison in Kuldiga. The town square was an old assembly place for people. In the south-east corner of the Town Square there used to be a pillory.

9. The building of the former mayor of Kuldiga, Stafenhagen, is a 17^th century building where in 1701 Swedish king Carl XII stayed at and left an extraordinary big chest (2x2,5m). It can still be seen here today.

10. The oldest wooden building in Courland was built in 1670 near the Town square on the banks of the River Alekšupīte. On the roof of this building there is one of the oldest and most magnificent weather-vanes in the town.

11. Duke Jacob Chemist’s Shop is one of the few 17^th century buildings which has wooden lattice work building constructions with brick infill. During the reign of Duke Jacob it was a chemist’s shop.

12. Liepājas Street is a pedestrian street with several 17^th – 20^th century buildings showing the development of different architectural styles. An original feature of every house is its entrance door and skylight windows above it which are the characteristics exclusive to Kuldiga.