Tune in to Liepaja

Latvia’s third largest city, Liepaja stretches along the coast between the Baltic Sea and the shores of Lake Liepaja. The city was first officially recognised in 1625, but the leafy boulevards of present-day Liepaja date back to the early nineteenth century, when the city expanded in earnest, fuelled by growing trade through its port.

Liepaja is known as a creative city, with music, literally, in the streets. The impressive gilded organ inside Holy Trinity Church is the oldest unaltered mechanical organ in the world, and until 1912 it was the largest in the world as well. Built in the eighteenth century, it’s still in working order – you can hear it during church services – as well as during the annual International Organ Music Festival held here every September. Liepaja is also home to one of the Baltics’ oldest orchestras, the internationally recognised Liepaja Symphony Orchestra, which was founded in 1886. The city doesn’t just excel in classical music; measure your palm against the bronze prints of Latvia’s most beloved musicians, on Latvia’s musical walk of fame. And if you want to hear something new, pop into Latvia’s First Rock Café on Stendera street 18/20 – where three floors decorated in musical memorabilia provide ample space for musicians, who play live every night. Liepaja’s the perfect place to celebrate the summer - in July, join tens of thousands of people dancing on the beach at the city’s famous ’Baltic Beach Party’, or rock out in August at the ’Liepajas Dzintars’ rock festival, which attracts bands, and fans, from all over Europe.

Fortress on the Baltic

An important naval base from Tsarist times, old fortifications can still be seen around Liepaja; and north of the centre, a visit to the former military base of “Karosta” is a unique experience. Built by Tsar Alexander III as a city within the city, “Karosta” was Imperial Russia’s largest military base, before later becoming a Soviet stronghold. The area is now home to a community of artists, creating cutting edge work inspired by the romance of its faded grandeur. For a real taste of history, visit “Karosta” Prison – the redbrick military prison that was a working jail from Tsarist times until 1994. Guides are convincing in their roles as Soviet guards, giving visitors a chilling insight into life in the jail. The brave can choose to stay overnight, sleeping in one of the prison cells.

Take a walk on the wild side

Kurzeme is Latvia’s most rural region, with kilometres of white sandy beaches and untouched sand dunes, a haven for wildflowers and wildlife. Just 50km south of Liepaja you can see wild horses, animals and wild oxen roaming freely, in the Lake Pape Nature Park. These amazing animals were returned from extinction in the wild in Europe, and reintroduced to Latvia just a few years ago. The lake itself, a reed-fringed lagoon, was rescued from destruction by conservationists. Now the lake’s a birdspotter’s paradise, while local people are again profiting from traditional skills, harvesting reeds to make their typical thatched-roof cottages. All along the coastline the beaches stretch far into the distance, bordered by seaside forests and dunes – where there’s plenty of space to lose yourself in nature. Why not wake up to your own sea view, pitching your tent right by the beach? Or for a few more home comforts stop by one of the tiny fishing villages that dot the coastline, and stay the night in a B&B. The fresh taste of Kurzeme is also not to be missed – several villages sell locally caught and smoked fish, and Kurzeme honey captures the flavour of the local wildflowers. What could make for a more refreshing holiday?

For more information visit www.liepaja.lv.