Karosta

Karosta is a neighborhood in the northern part of Kurzeme in Liepaja, Latvia. It covers about one third of the city area and was a naval port of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union.

History

Originally Karosta was a base of the Russian Baltic Fleet, which has been selected not least because of its proximity to the German border at glutton and its year-round ice-free. It was created in 1890 at the behest of Tsar Alexander III. and his son Nicholas II This called him " the port of Alexander the III. " Alexander The name is widespread in Karosta among the approximately 70 percent of Russian-speaking population to this day.

At the beginning of the 20th century formed Kara Osta ( in Latvian naval port ) has a separate Russian military district. Between Karosta and Liepāja long time there was no exchange. A separate post, the largest Orthodox church in Latvia, own power supply and a comprehensive infrastructure illustrate the special role Karostas. For example, the cost of a postcard of Kara- Osta to Liepaja with three kopecks as much as to Vladivostok shortly before the Korean border. The supply situation for members of the Soviet armed forces was often better than for the Latvian population of Liepaja. For reasons of military security Liepaja was not recorded in Soviet maps partially.

Due to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania became independent again, the Soviets had to withdraw. After installation of approximately 20000-26000 Soviet soldiers from the former main base of the Russian Baltic fleet with about 30 atomic submarines and 140 warships Karosta was a bedraggled and inhabited only about one-third district Liepaja. Chemical weapons and radioactive waste of the naval base to have been sunk even before the Soviet withdrawal between 1989 and 1992 in the Baltic Sea off Gotland.

Forts and Kara Osta - channel

The 1893-1906 built forts ( in the north) were destroyed before 1914 and have since been worn away by the waves. These forts and the channel were the first buildings Karostas. Similar forts emerged throughout 's Russian Empire, also in Port Arthur (now a district of Dalian and China's second largest port).

Kara Osta - channel and the " rotating iron bridge "

A side of the channel is provided for ships and submarines. There are also docks and shipyards. Built in 1906, Kalpaks Bridge is the only bridge of its kind in Latvia and with short breaks still in operation. After a boat collision in mid-2006 it was temporarily not accessible and was renewed in 2009.

North Pier

The north pier was built with the channel and is about two kilometers long. About two years to build it. From there one has a good view of the harbor. The place is popular with residents and visitors Liepaja.

Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas

The cathedral is one of the landmarks of Karosta. Architects were Sergei Gelensowski and Vasily Kosjakow from St. Petersburg.

Prison

The Prison of Karosta in the street Invalidu 4 was built in the early 20th century. Initially, it was planned as a war hospital, but was never used in this way. As early as 1905 were in prison the sailors of the garrison, who had participated in the revolutionary events. Later, the building served as a prison the main guard for both the Soviet army and naval forces of the Latvian army. The left by convicts last traces of the cell walls date back in 1997. Nowadays can be a small fee to visit the main station and it will be offered performances " Behind Bars ". For visitors, there is the possibility to stay overnight in a cell and to eat in a canteen Soviet type.