NEW LIFE FOR OLD CASTLE

culture and tourism. The restored underground corridors would house the Castle Museum. A very significant part of the project is regeneration of the Great Tower of the Castle, which should become the symbol of Klaipëda and the main accent of the old town. It will function as a museum of new generation, conference and video halls with a numbers of cafes. The overview point will be on the top of the tower, from which a splendid panorama of the old town, the lagoon and the port could be seen. The projected building is a modern one with the historical silhouette of the former Tower. The exterior will be constructed of aluminium framework with glass. 
The programme for the development of this territory will be carried out in 3 phases and not only the national government but mainly private capital will support the project. Major role for the city will be to create favourable conditions that such investment could be smoothly attracted.

It is essential that the Old Castle Place, a monument of history and culture would be integrated into contemporary structures of Klaipëda. In 1252 a wooden castle was built near the Curonian lagoon on the mouth of the river Dane. This date is considered to be the beginning of the city of Klaipëda. The castle faced severe battles and during the first five centuries was many times rebuilt. In that time the town and the castle made up an integral urban structure. In the 18 th century the castle lost its defensive value and deterioration of its constructions started. Two castle bastions, a fragment of the defensive canal and archaeological layers of different periods with traces of former buildings have survived.

The programme for the development of the whole Castle Place is under preparation. The surrounding urban structures are formed with respect to the main value of the territory -Klaipëda Castle. Efforts are made not to choke it with larger constructions and not to screen the castle's significance. The old buildings on the embankment of the river will accommodate tourism and service institutions. The shore of the lagoon and the pier will be used to locate a modern cruise passenger terminal. The remaining old 19 th century constructions of the shipyard will be used for demonstration workshops for yacht building. 
The historical-urban space will be recreated and the Old Castle Place will become a centre of history,

ROSE SQUARE

Rose Square was ceremonially opened on March 18 this year - on the 375 th anniversary of Liepaja in the presence of the State President of Latvia and leaders of Liepaja partner cities. In May there will be a rose planting action. In the action, among others children who joined the art contest "My rose - to my rose square" will participate. During only two weeks more than 220 entries had been sent to the City Council - they gave a picture of roses children would like to plant in the Rose Square. 
Rose Square is not surrounded by sentimental memories only - the people gather here several times a year - before Christmas when the central Christmas tree is here; on the eve of the New Year it is a place for fireworks; at Easter - for fantastic flower composition, in summers - a shady place for relaxation. There are several poems and even a song dedicated to the central square of Liepaja.

One of the most notable recent accomplishments in Liepâja is the reconstruction of Rose Square -the central square of the city. It is very emotional work for the architect a Liepâja resident -as this place is regarded as "the heart of Liepaja". The reconstruction project was worked out by architect Andris Kokins and in 1999 its implementation was started. The downtown reconstruction is one of the largest infrastructure reconstruction projects in Liepaja in recent years, it provides for reconstruction of Rose Square, retaining its historic model yet making it contemporary through modern architecture and materials. 
The reconstruction is a conceptually new solution for the city centre. The main emphasis of the concept is on the reconstruction of the central rotunda shaped as Wind Rose. On the edge of the rotunda there are ten plaques from 

Liepaja partner cities. It symbolises the integration of Liepaja in Europe. With the further development of the economic and international relations of Liepaja, Rose Square will become the symbolic centre of the city's possibilities and contacts. 
The reconstructed central part of 

Rose Square - the heart of Liepaja