page_title: Kuldīga
section_title: Sightseeing objects
hierarchical_section_title: Kuldīga / Sightseeing objects
caption_attribution_description: English: The masonry bridge across river Venta in the town of Kuldiga, Latvia.
context_page_description: Kuldīga is a town in western Latvia. It is the center of Kuldīga Municipality with a population of approximately 13,500.
  Kuldīga was first mentioned in 1242. It joined the Hanseatic League in 1368. In the 17th century, Kuldīga was one of the capitals of the Duchy of Courland.
  Kuldīga is an ancient town in Latvia's wester region of Kurzeme with distinctive architecture. Saint Catherine is believed to be the patron saint of Kuldīga, and the oldest church of the town is named after St Catherine. The foundation of the building was laid as early as in 1252. The church has been remodeled a number of times.
  The small River Alekšupīte runs through the very centre of the Kuldīga old town, along the walls of the houses. The Old Town around the small river itself is the only remaining 17th–18th-century ensemble of this kind in the Baltic states. A 4.5 m high waterfall on the Alekšupīte is the highest in Latvia. The Venta Rapid, a 240-meter wide natural rapid is the widest in Europe.
  Not far from the rapid is the Kuldīga brick bridge built in 1874, one of the longest bridges of this type in Europe.
  Kuldīga was recognized an EDEN destination in 2007.
context_section_description: The Historical Centre of Kuldīga
  Kuldīga is a small and attractive town in Kurzeme which 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. The oldest wooden building in Kurzeme put up in 1670 can be found near the Town square. The Old Town hall was built in the 17th century. The town square, since the very origins of the settlement, was a place where townspeople used to gather. The tradition has survived: the pulse of the town is best felt in the central square, a venue for weavers' exhibitions, traditional festivities and other events.
  The Venta waterfall (Ventas rumba) is the widest waterfall in Europe. This 240 meter wide naturally formed waterfall is associated with a number of legends and historic events. In spring, one can watch the fish flying up the ledge; due to this, Kuldīga was once famous as a "place where they catch salmon in the air".
  The old brick bridge across the Venta was built in 1874 and is the longest bridge of this kind of road bridge in Europe – 164 m. It was built according to 19th century standards – 500 feet long and 26 feet wide, allowing two carriages to pass each other. It consisted of seven spans of brick vaults. During World War I two of the spans were blown up. The 'race of the naked' over the bridge has become an annual tradition for Midsummer nights.
  The Alekšupīte River flows directly along the walls of many buildings which is why Kuldīga has been called the Venice of Latvia. Initially the buildings of the town centre were constructed as the suburb of Kuldīga. 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 – it was fixed and built up in the 17th century to use the stream to operate the first paper mill in Kurzeme. As the waterfall is created artificially and is located next to the unattended mill building. An annual race is held on the Alekšupīte, when the contestants run directly along the river bottom.
  St Catherine's Church, was originally built in 1252. However, it was built anew with baroque style wood carvings on the altar. The church was given the name of St Catherine, the patroness of the town. One of the most successful rulers of the Duchy of Courland, Duke Jacob was baptized in this church, and his wedding to Princess Louise Charlotte of Brandenburg also took place here.
  Liepājas street
  An pedestrian street with several 17th–20th-century buildings, interesting doors and special windows.
  Sculptress Livija Rezevska's sculpture museum
  Founded in 2003.  The visitors may see more than 15 sculptures characterizing Latvian nation, its strength unity and love.
  The Riežupe Sand Caves
  The Riežupe Sand Caves make up the longest cave labyrinth in Latvia (about 2 km, 460 m can be toured). During Duke Jacob's reign the sand from Riežupe sand caves was taken by ships abroad for glass production.
caption: Brick bridge across river Venta
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