Old Liepāja

Old Liepāja (Vecliepāja) is the historic part of Liepāja, known for its oldest buildings and historic street layout. It is centred around the Old Market and Kuršu Square, where trading activities took place as early as the second half of the 16th century. The area is ideal for leisurely walks, offering an opportunity to discover the city’s history, architecture and old streets.

The urban layout of Old Liepāja developed over several centuries. In some places, the street network still retains the irregular pattern characteristic of medieval towns. The historic streetscape includes old wooden buildings, traditional houses and later structures that reflect Liepāja’s development as an important trading and port city. Old Liepāja forms part of the state-protected urban monument known as the Historic Centre of Liepāja.

One of the area’s key landmarks is Kuršu Square, which historically served as a marketplace and an important centre of public life. Nearby stands Peter’s Market, whose present pavilion was built in 1910. The market remains an important part of everyday life in Liepāja.

The historic wooden buildings on Kungu Street are also worth exploring. One notable attraction is Madame Hoyer’s Guest House, a restored historic building that now houses a museum of 17th–19th-century interiors. Visitors can discover how people lived in earlier centuries and learn about historic domestic interiors.

The appeal of Old Liepāja lies not only in individual historic landmarks but also in its overall atmosphere: old streets, historic façades, squares and architectural details that reveal the city’s past. A walk through the area can easily be combined with visits to other attractions in central Liepāja, including museums, churches and cafés.