Latvia - Kuldīga (Goldingen)

"Kuldīga is a rarity among the North-Eastern Europe provincial towns. For this particular area of the world, the old town of Kuldīga keeps the best preserved and least transformed heritage of the 18th-19th century town environment with characteristic landscape of clay tile roofs, historical building ensemble, picturesque street perspectives, outstanding nature and high assessment emotional values. Specific character of Kuldīga old town, in comparison to, for instance, to Scandinavian states, Western Europe or other parts of the world, can be explained by distinctive political, social, and economic platform that has promoted preservation and conservation of the historical environment after the Second World War, authentic town environment of the 13th century, as well as the character of cultural landscape from first half of the 20th century. One of the most powerful expressions of charm of the old town of Kuldīga is the medieval historical centre near the river Alekšupīte that runs through the old town from the South, flowing between buildings, and reaching the river Venta with great accent - mill (an example of technology development in the 19th-20th century) pond and a waterfall. It is the only such urban planning ensemble from the 17th-18th century that is preserved in the Baltic States..." Source: UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List

Multi-view of Kuldiga. Christmas 2011 stamp with 2012 Dragon theme. Thanks to Katrina of Latvia.