Tour: (Un)Rest in Kuldīga – A Living Old Town

Where Does UNESCO Live in Kuldīga?

Kuldīga’s Old Town is a treasure of global significance, yet visitors often ask: “Where exactly is UNESCO in Kuldīga, and what makes this place so special?” To reveal this unique story in an accessible, creative, and engaging way, the guided tour “(Un)Rest in Kuldīga: A Living Old Town” was created.

This UNESCO tour is far more than an ordinary walk with commentary. It invites both school students and adults to personally experience Kuldīga’s historic environment, uncovering stories preserved within house walls, inner courtyards, bridges, and tiled rooftops. The route leads visitors to unusual locations throughout Kuldīga, offering opportunities to “step into” a historic chimney, explore unique stairwells, and notice details that often go unnoticed in everyday life.

The tour helps participants understand that UNESCO in Kuldīga is not a single building or a specific point on a map. It lives within the town’s street network, landscape, architecture, craft traditions, and the distinctive sense of place that makes Kuldīga truly unique. Although the format is entertaining and adventure-filled, it is built upon professionally developed, research-based content that provides a fact-based understanding of Kuldīga’s UNESCO World Heritage values.

This tour is an adventure led by knowledgeable local experts. The UNESCO story is brought to life through the engaging and personal guidance of professionals in their fields:

Sintija Vītoliņa – Heritage Management Specialist for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kuldīga Old Town and an important member of the team that worked on the town’s inscription on the World Heritage List. For more than twelve years, she has researched the values of Kuldīga’s Old Town, ensuring that her storytelling is not only engaging but also enriched with unique facts and discoveries known to only a few.

Krista Jansone – A culture and tourism communications professional with fifteen years of experience. Specializing in dramaturgical storytelling, she has been leading urban expeditions for six years, transforming historical facts into personal, vivid, and memorable experiences.

The tour was developed within the project “(Un)Rest in Kuldīga: A Living Old Town” as part of the programme of Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027.