Karosta is a wondrous, paradoxical and unique place not only in the context of Latvia, but also in the historical and architectural context of the world. Karosta is the largest historical military garrison in the Baltics and constitutes almost a third of Liepāja’s territory.
By order of the Tsar of Russia Alexander III, construction of an extensive fortress and military city began in 1890. It was originally named the Port of Emperor Alexander III. It acquired the name Kara Osta (War Port) and later Karosta only during the Latvian independence years.
It was planned as a completely autonomous area with its own infrastructure, electric power station, water supply system, church and schools. Under the Soviet occupation regime it was a closed territory, not even accessible to local civilians. The last soldiers of the Soviet army left Liepāja only in 1994.
The modern Karosta has a peculiar blend of military brutality and ornate end-of-19th century architecture that is at the same time suitable for a civil and modern life as well as for business.