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All Latvia Liepāja Liepaja Northern Forts

Liepaja Northern Forts

These crumbling Latvian forts make for some haunting seaside ruins.

Liepāja, Latvia

Added By
ahvenas
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Liepaja Northern Forts   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Liepaja Northern Forts   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Liepaja Northern Forts   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Liepaja Northern Forts   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Liepaja Northern Forts   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Liepaja Northern Forts   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Liepaja Northern Forts   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Liepaja Northern Forts   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Liepaja Northern Forts   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
Liepaja Northern Forts   ahvenas / Atlas Obscura User
  pongstefff / Atlas Obscura User
  pongstefff / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Crumbling away on the edge of the Latvian coast, a row of abandoned concrete bunkers have formed a lovely line of ruins that harken back to a fort built by Tzarist Russia.

When they were created, the ruins encircled the entire city of Liepaja. The Northern Forts were part of Liepaja's central fortress and they were built between the 19th and 20th century to provide shelter to the naval base. A line of outer fortifications surrounded the whole city. However, in 1908, after less than ten years of construction, the whole fortress was considered a strategic misstep and it was abandoned. There were attempts to blow up parts of it, but destroying such robust fortifications is no easy feat, and the remains still stand today. 

Surprisingly, the efforts to destroy the forts had the effect of creating haunting seaside ruins. Each little stone bunker holds its own secrets. 

Achieving what man's powerful explosives could not, the sea has started to take its toll and part of the Northern Forts complex has collapsed to the waterline. This has made it a popular place for youngsters to climb in and around these broken bunkers. 

Related Tags

Ruins Military History Bunkers Military

Know Before You Go

The bunkers run along the coast and can be accessed via Krasta street, Koknese street or Jatnieku street.

Community Contributors

Added By

ahvenas

Edited By

pongstefff

  • pongstefff

Published

January 21, 2016

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Sources
  • http://www.latvia.travel/en/sight/northern-fort
  • http://www.inyourpocket.com/liepaja/Northern-Forts_11403v
  • http://www.celotajs.lv/en/e/liepajaziemeluforti
Liepaja Northern Forts
25 Jātnieku iela
Liepāja, LV-3414
Latvia
56.59118, 21.01587
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Saint Nicholas Naval Cathedral

Liepāja, Latvia

miles away

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Liepāja

Liepāja

Latvia

Places 4

Nearby Places

Saint Nicholas Naval Cathedral

Liepāja, Latvia

miles away

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Photo of Liepāja

Liepāja

Latvia

Places 4

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