Karosta, Liepaja

Karosta - former naval base, Liepaja - darkometer rating : 4 - The formerly closed garrison town and Soviet naval base that takes up the northern part of the coastal city of Liepaja . Since the military finally left the place (following the demise of the USSR and Latvia regaining independence), much of the housing has become redundant. Both old and rather newer buildings, including both typical Soviet-era prefab apartment blocks and Tsarist-era grander architecture lie abandoned, empty and crumbling. It is in part like a ghost town. The old Karosta prison may have become its best-known commodified attraction, but there is much more to discover here that is less high profile but still quite intriguing to those who have a taste for ghost towns and ruins. > More background info > What there is to see > Location > Access and costs > Time required > Combinations with other dark destinations > Combinations with non-dark destinations > Photos More background info: Karosta started its previous life in the late 19th century when Tsarist Russia had a fortified naval port built here. It was part of a larger system of fortifications and military installations (see also Seaplane Harbour ). Some of the fortifications soon became redundant, even before World War One , and were partly blown up in accordance with a Russia- Germany co-operation and friendship treaty – see also under Northern Forts . The naval base as such, however, remained. During Latvia 's post-WWI period of independence it became known as “Kara osta”, which means 'war port', and thus gave rise to today's name Karosta. After WWII and the Soviet takeover, Karosta was developed as one of the most important bases for the Soviet Baltic Fleet.