Karosta, as an autonomous urban area formed itself in the end of 19th and in the beginning of 20th century. Liepaja, which at that time was part of the mighty Russian Empire, was known for its ice-free harbour.

Naturally, this benefit and also the near borderline were the main reasons when choosing a place for the Russian Empire Baltic Marine fleet support base.

In 1890., north of Liepaja city began massive construction of fortifications and military camp. The official order to start building was given by Russian tsar Alexander III. His son, tsar Nikolay II, named the new base "Port of Alexander III". Only during the time of first Latvian independence this place was more and more often referred to as the "Kara Osta" (War Port).

The port of Alexander III was fully autonomous populated area with its own infrastructure, electricity power plant and sewage system, church and schools. There was even a post office under the name "Port Imperatora Aleksandra III". If you wanted to send a postcard from here to Liepaja, the price was as for an intercity shipment - three kopecks, the same what one would pay to send a card to Vladivostok. Local deliveries cost 1 kopeck.

There's a documental witnessing about the beginning of Karosta, from 15th of November, 1856. - a special order of the empire's transportation manager, general aide Chevkin to military engineer Gaidatel, "to gather intelligence about advantages of Libau (Liepaja) and Windau (Ventspils) and then, after inspecting foreign coast-line constructions, propose improvements for that port which will be admitted as best of these two."

In March 1857., in an explicit report the engineer prefers Liepaja "regarding the fact, that it freezes less and is located closer to European markets".

Forts

Fortress and the Karosta canal were the first objects built in the whole massive military complex of Karosta.

In the end of 19th century forts and coastline fortifications with artillery defense were built in many places - Sveaborg island, forts along the Gulf of Finland, Kronstadt, Osovetz (now territory of Poland), chain of Bukovine and Bessarabian fortifications along Austrohungarian border.

Forts of Liepaja are similar to fort Port-Artur in the far east of Russia. Karosta fortifications were built from 1893 to 1906, work lead by author of the project, major-general Ivan Mc-Donald. Some parts of fortifications were connected by canals and narrow-gauge railway. There were 140 warships and 30 submarines for the Liepaja navy fleet.

The Karosta Canal and Rotating Bridge

The Karosta canal was one of the first construction works to be finished in the whole Karosta complex.

For digging they used drifting excavators and already in 1901 it was finished and ready to take in first ships.

One sidebranch of the canal is built as a pool for ships and submarines and there is also renovation facility - (today named "Tosmare") with one drifting and two dry docks.

The Kalpaka bridge over the canal is a monument for engineering - it is the only bridge in Latvia that can be opened by rotating both of its sides to either coast. It takes about 5 minutes to open the bridge and let a ship through. The bridge was built in 1906 and has been working perfectly since then.

Approximately one month before the brige century there was an accident. The big ship ramed into the north part of bridge. That�s why the bridge was closed for long time. Now it is in a working condition again and fully renovated.

Northern Pier

Piers and breakwaters were built concurrently with the Karosta canal. Northern pier is almost two kilometres long and it took more than two years to build it.

From the pier you can take an exciting look at the Liepaja harbour. Today the Northern pier is very popular walkabout place for residents and guests of Liepaja.

Maritime Cathedral of St. Nikolay

The Cathedral is one of Karosta symbols.

Authors of the project are architects from St.Petersburg Sergey Gelenzovsky and Vasiliy Kosyakov.

The building astonishes with its magnificence, no matter which place are you looking from. Russianism and richness literally radiates from its facades and exterior decors. Its construction is unique - it has no colons. The enormous weight of five cupols is upheld by four intersecting vaults. Cathedral got its name in 1903, to honor the saint and miracle-worker, patron of seamen, St. Nikolay. The solemn ceremony was attended by Russian emperor, his family and prominent statesmen.

Karosta Cathedral is one of the largest orthodox churches in Latvia. During Soviet regime years the cathedral suffered neglection and demolishion, they set up sports hall inside it, then a movie theatre, ruining the beautiful interior. Only in 1994 it was returned to the religios and now it is being gradually restaurated.

K@2

Two Admiral's House This beautiful, richly decorated house surprises with modesty and simplicity of shape. This house is an outstanding monument of Karosta urban architecture. Initially the building was planned to host Russian tzar and his family during their stay at Karosta. He stayed here in 1901 and 1903.

The "Two Admirals" name comes from its former residents - here lived the commandant of the fortress and the commanding officer of the military harbour. During the first Latvian independence this building served as military headquarters of the Kurzeme division and Liepaja garrison. Today in the house of Two Admirals there is a culture and information center "K@2", which gathers together creative people and hosts various art projecst of local and internatinal scope.

Water Tower

The 37 m high Water Tower was built in 1905. Nowadays the water is supplied by power-operated pumps but originally the water from artesian wells was pumped by steam-operated pumps into the tower reservoir and then supplied to the reservoirs in the attics of Karosta houses for two hours three times a day.

Manege

Manege � an indoor horse riding and gymnastics manege originally was used for military exercises, small-size maneuvers as well as for public events. The building used to have a roof made of light metal structures and glass tiles. Before WWI performances of cavalry and artillery horses and riding competitions were held in the manege each Sunday.

Mail Carrier Pigeons' House

In Karosta, on Pulkveza Brieza Str. 6, there is a peculiar house. In the 1930ties there were living apartments there, yet the time has preserved well the specific look of the house. Here, for almost twenty years, was a military mail carrier pigeons station.

On June 4, 1896. tzar Nikolay II accepted a list of employees for work at the fortress and harbour and also two mail carrier pigeon stations, 8 people for each.

Already since ancient times pigeons have been well known for their admirable guidance sense. If a pigeon is released free, instinct will guide it back home, to the cage where it was born. The speed of birds is a great advantage - with fair wind they may travel even as fast as 100km per hour.

In the history of new times pigeons mostly were used in the times of war, even during the World War II they were useful for sending correspondence.

Officers' Palace

Officers' palace is a great sample of Russian art nouveau architecture. Author of the project is an architect from St. Petersburg, Sergey Gelenzovsky. The purpose of the Officer's palace was entertainment of fleet elite - noblesse and royal aristocracy.

The building is unique not only for Latvia but also for Europe. It is built in shape of a horseshue, after the pattern of suburban castles of St.Petersburg. The main facade is turned towards the sea, to the north, but the southern side hosts a large terrace with pillars and a balcony. Exterior is richly supplemented with plastical decors featuring arms motive. In exterior and interior of the palace builders used gray granite, also marble from Finland and Estonia. The architectural composition is topped by a large spherical dome, which covers the central hall. Around the palace there is a park with supplemental buildings. This posh architectural complex and surrounding park, devoted to the glory of Russian military was created by best architects and artists of St. Petersburg. Already then the guests were surprised at the elegance of baroque style, sense of light and spaciousness, refined furniture and the harmony of interior and exterior of the palace.