Page 182 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

180  LA T VIA REGION B Y REGION

t Ventspils screens. As a Livonian Order
stronghold, it was a self-
Founded in 1290, Ventspils has long been a trading centre contained world complete with
and was a member of the Hanseatic League. In the 18th a dormitory, refectory, chapel
century, war and plague ravaged the city, but it later thrived and meeting hall. Later, the
as part of the Russian Empire. chapel was used as a Lutheran
church, while the building
A hub for Russian oil tankers till recently, Ventspils has served as a prison at various
gained an air of affluence since independence. In order to times from 1824 to 1959. It
limit its reliance on Russia, the city has been spruced up to became the barracks for the
boost tourism. Enlivened by parks, flower beds and fountains, German army during World
Ventspils has a bustling modern centre and a well-restored War I and for Soviet border
guards from 1962 to 1983. The
Old Town. The historic core is best explored on foot and a rooms in which the exhibits are
walk along Ostas Street offers a chance to see bovine laid out bear fragments of wall
sculptures left after the 2012 Cow Parade. paintings from the 15th to the
17th centuries, and there are
also displays of traditional
costumes and jewellery.
The pleasant restaurant on
the premises, Melnais Sivēns Pils
Krogs (see p324), is one of the
best places to eat in the city.
During summer, it is possible
to try archery and, by
arrangement, fire a small
cannon in front of the castle.
Exterior of the 13th-century Livonian Order castle, Ventspils Castle R Russian Orthodox Church
of St Nicholas
E Ventspils Castle 14th century. Devastated by Plosta iela 10. Tel 6362 1616.
Jāņa iela 17. Tel 6362 2031. Open the Swedish army in 1659, the The onion-domed Russian
10am–6pm Tue–Sun. & 8 7 0 castle has been restored many Orthodox Church of St Nicholas
∑ muzejs.ventspils.lv times since. Parts of the red- (Sv Nikolaja pareizticīgo baz-
On the bank of the Venta river, brick gallery in the inner court- nīca) was consecrated in the
this Livonian Order castle is one yard were built as recently as early 20th century. Although the
of the finest in Latvia. Although the 1870s. Neo-Byzantine exterior needs to
it began life as a late 13th- The museum inside the castle be restored, the interior has an
century stone tower, its current recounts its history through excellent collection of icons. Hercogs PLOSTA IELA
form largely dates from the engaging displays and touch Jēkabs Russian Orthodox
Venta Church of
St Nicholas
P I L S I EL A
LIELĀ
T I R G U S
Ventspils JĀŅA IELA Lutheran Church
Beach O S TA S I E L A Ventspils of St Nicholas
P I L S I E L A
Venta Castle
Station
K V A L D E M Ā R A AVOTU KU L D Ĩ G A S I E L A Bus
OSTGALS RĨGAS IELA KATOĻ U IELA S A U L E S I E L A PLATĀ R A I Ņ A I E L A LAUKU BRĨVĨBAS IELA
LOČU IELA K A R L Ĩ N E S LĨVU J Ū R A S I E L A MEŽA IELA L I E P U ALEKSANDRA SARKANMUIŽAS
DAMBIS
KATOĻU IELA LIEPĀJAS GANĨBU IELA JŪRAS IELA 130 m (140 yards)
Aqua Park K R O Ņ A I E L A L I E L Ā D Z I R N AV U
Railway Station
V I ĻŅ U I E L A
VA S A R N Ĩ C U I E L A Children’s M E Ž A I E L A L I E L A I S P R O S P E K T S
L I E L A I S P R O S P E K T S
M E D Ņ U I E L A
City
P Ē T E R A I E L A
PA R K A I E L A
Seaside Open-Air INŽENIERU
Museum
0 metres 500
LAIMAS
STRAZDU IELA 0 yards 500
ATPŪTAS
RIŅĶA IELA
For keys to symbols see back flap
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