Latvia

Kuldiga

WHS Score 2.55
rate
Votes 42 Average 2.82
Show votes
Votes for Kuldiga

1.5

  • Argo
  • Lucio
  • Ludvan
  • Martina Rúčková
  • Tarquinio_Superbo
  • Tevity

2.0

  • Alexander Lehmann
  • David Berlanda
  • Kristin
  • Luboang
  • Randi Thomsen
  • Zoë Sheng

2.5

  • Bin
  • Els Slots
  • Javier
  • Maciej Gil
  • Roger Ourset
  • Stanislaw Warwas
  • Svein Elias
  • Szucs Tamas

3.0

  • alex
  • Aljaz
  • Astraftis
  • Christravelblog
  • Csaba Nováczky
  • del
  • Dimitar Krastev
  • Frédéric M
  • Ivan Rucek
  • Jakob Frenzel
  • Jakubmarin
  • J_neveryes
  • nan

3.5

  • DavidS

4.0

  • ChrisDorn
  • George Gdanski
  • PabloNorte
  • Remigiusz

4.5

  • Daniel Gabi
  • Jezza

5.0

  • Max
  • Rafał Kałczuga

The Old town of Kuldiga is a well-preserved and harmonious townscape with traditional Baltic architecture.

The town, previously known as Goldingen, developed between the 13th and 20th centuries under the influence of the Hanse Towns, the Duchy of Courland and Russia. It has a scenic location at the intersection of two rivers.

Community Perspective: a romantic town with the remarkably wide Ventas Rumba waterfall as its natural landmark. It lies deep into the Latvian countryside and is best accessed by car. 

Site Info

Official Information
Full Name
Old town of Kuldīga (ID: 1658)
Country
Latvia
Status
Inscribed 2023 Site history
History of Kuldiga
2023: Name change
Upon inscription, at request from ICOMOS: from "Kuldīga / Goldingen in Courland" to "Old town of Kuldiga"
2023: Inscribed
Inscribed
2020: Revision
Successor to Kuldiga Old Town in the Primeval Valley of the River Venta (2011)
2011: Revision
Successor of former TWHS Kuldiga Old City in the Primeval Hollow of the River (2005)
WHS Type
Cultural
Criteria
  • v
Links
UNESCO
whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
Related Resources

Community Information

  • Community Category
  • Urban landscape: Post-medieval European
Travel Information
No travel information
Recent Connections
View all (12) .
Connections of Kuldiga
Trivia
History
  • Hanseatic League
    "In the 14th century, whilst only a hamlet, Kuldīga joined the activities of the Hanseatic League and started to engage in international trade." (AB ev)
Architecture
World Heritage Process
Constructions
WHS on Other Lists
Timeline
  • Built in the 18th century
    "the urban structure of the 18th century of the whole historic centre as well as the axes of the main roads are largely preserved" (AB ev)
News

No news.

Community Reviews

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First published: 01/11/23.

J_neveryes

Kuldiga

Kuldiga (Inscribed)

Kuldiga by J_neveryes

Ventas Rumbas waterfall in Kuldīga is the widest waterfall in Europe. To give an idea of its magnificence, there is a reason that no one calls Ventas Rumbas the horizontal Angel Falls. Ventas Rumbas is quirky and pretty, but you are not going to be staring at it in awe when you have an awkward teenager nephew back home taller than the waterfall.

When I was in Latvia in 2016, I never imagined that Kuldīga would even be considered for the UNESCO world heritage designation, so the town was a mere brief stop on my way to another destination. As such, I did not explore much of Kuldīga other than the waterfall and its immediate surroundings. I can confirm that the immediate surroundings were just as idyllic and charming as the waterfall, but due to my limited experience of the town, my rating is based on the waterfall only. 

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First published: 02/08/23.

Els Slots

Kuldiga

Kuldiga (Inscribed)

Kuldiga by Els Slots

I visited Kuldiga in early August 2023, just after it became known that it got a positive recommendation from ICOMOS and will almost surely be inscribed in September 2023.

Although I’d wanted to go there from Riga by public transport, there are no direct buses and connections seem infrequent. So I rented a car from the airport and drove there easily in 1.5 hours. Kuldiga lies deep in the countryside, and it certainly looks like you’re arriving at something important. One enters town via the large new stone bridge (a one-way street), and there is even a parking lot for tour buses. The streets were also filled with parked cars – this is really a popular destination for Latvian daytrippers.

Kuldiga (named Goldingen at the time) is strongly linked to the peculiar history of the ministate of the Duchy of Courland. Although their home base in Europe was tiny, they managed to establish colonies in Gambia and Tobago. That all happened in the 17th century, but unfortunately, there are few tangible links with today’s town. Its older buildings mostly date from the 19th century. The setting of the town, along a river and next to a ‘waterfall’ (more like rapids), is its main strength. The shape of the town has been unchanged for centuries.

I saw no banners or other adverts to announce the WH nomination. The only things geared at international tourists seem to be the new direction signs, which are both in Latvian and English. …

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First published: 12/11/19.

Jakob Frenzel

Kuldiga

Kuldiga (Inscribed)

Kuldiga by Jakob Frenzel

August 2017 After the first night in Liepaja we continued to our first big aim Riga. That day we drove to Jurmala and made a longer lunchbreak in Kuldîga. It is a very romantic town with lots of timber houses, the waterfall adds to the charismatic appearance of the village. From our perspective definitly worth inscription. We walked around a bit, had lunch and continued to Jurmala.

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First published: 15/03/15.

Anonymous

Kuldiga

Kuldiga (Inscribed)

Kuldiga by Els Slots

It is amazing historic town with it's own character, and the waterfall Ventas Rumba just emphasizes it more. Ventas Rumba is the widest waterfall in Europe, as well the old brick bridge adds its value to city. I grew up there and that would be great if the place would be recognized for its universal value.

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