Kuldīga Old Town Streets and Two Historic Bridges Under Reconstruction
Sections of several streets in the oldest part of Kuldīga, Latvia, are being rebuilt, and two historic bridges over the Alekšupīte stream are being restored. An archaeologist monitors the work, and completion is now expected in the first quarters of next year.
This summer, construction is under way in the Old Town of Kuldīga, a town in western Latvia: three street sections are being rebuilt and two historic bridges over the Alekšupīte stream are being restored. Both bridges are closed, and the adjoining street sections are fenced off. Because the work is taking place in the oldest part of the town, an archaeologist is observing it. The project will now be finished in the first quarters of next year rather than this year as planned, owing to additional unforeseen work and a technological pause.
Archaeological observations
Archaeologist Mārtiņš Lusens says that few objects have been found. However, a thick medieval cultural layer has been uncovered on one of the streets, indicating how densely the area was settled. He explains that in the town's early centuries streets served as dumps: there was no municipal cleaning, and waste such as manure and straw bedding from stables was simply thrown onto the street. The layer grew as a result. On Skolas Street, the 17th-century layer is noticeably thinner.
Utilities and bridges
The reconstruction will bring new utility networks to the old streets. Since the street level is to be lowered, particular attention is being paid to rainwater drainage.
The bridges, popular with postcard makers and filmmakers alike, were in critical condition. Gita Rubežniece-Zute, deputy head of the Development Department of Kuldīga Municipality, says that once the top road surface was removed, the damage proved to be even greater. Each bridge consists of dolomite masonry and brickwork, and it was important to join these parts while preserving the historic base and ensuring enough strength for vehicles to cross.
Returning the streets to their original level is no longer possible, but Soviet-era layers will be removed. Jana Jākobsone, head of the municipality's construction department, says that street building in the Soviet period created large differences in height, as previously happened on Town Hall Square. The level is to be lowered as far as possible, with respect for the buildings and with traffic and pedestrians taken into account.
During the tourist season, the bridges can also be admired from below on a walk along the Alekšupīte streambed.
