Karosta
A former closed naval city of Tsarist Russia and the Soviet Union north of Liepāja, where Soviet-style housing, barracks and churches stand side by side. It is an open-air museum of Cold War history.
Karosta means "naval port" in Latvian. Construction began in 1890 on the orders of Tsar Alexander III, and the district now covers about one-third of Liepāja's urban area. During the Soviet period, it was a base of the Baltic Fleet, and ordinary citizens were not allowed to enter. It was only opened after the Russian military withdrew in 1994. Today, the district still has red-brick Tsarist-era barracks, Soviet-style apartment blocks, water towers and abandoned military facilities, which give it a distinctive air of decay. Walking or cycling tours are available. From the city center, you can get there by bus line 7 or by bike in about 15 minutes.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Oskars Kalpaks Bridge
- St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral
- Karosta Northern Pier
- Karosta Prison
- Liepāja Tram
- Great Amber Concert Hall
- Liepāja Museum
- Holy Trinity Cathedral