Ainaži

Ainaži ( German: Haynasch or Hainasch, Estonian: Heinaste ) is a port city in Latvia, near the Estonian border on the site of the former Livonian fishing village.

Ainaži has a long, shaped by the shipbuilding and maritime history. Along the Livonian coast wooden sailing ships were built in the 19th century. In 1864 Ainaži written at the suggestion of Krišjānis Valdemārs the first Latvian Naval Academy, which trained hundreds of captains and helmsmen. Was taught in Latvian, Estonian and later also Russian. 1905, a commercial port was built, which was however rendered unusable during the First World War and then as an industrial harbor won no more importance. During World War II, the retreating Wehrmacht destroyed 1944, the docks again.

Meanwhile, forestry, wood processing and trade have become more important industries. The situation at the border crossing between Latvia and Estonia on the Via Baltica ( Europe Straße 67 ) also favors the establishment of transit and transport companies.

The Naval Academy is now home to a museum that Ainazu jūrskolas muzejs that the history of this school and the shipbuilding tradition along the coast of Vidzeme dedicated.