Grobiņa Archaeological Ensemble
Latvia has nominated the Grobiņa Archaeological Ensemble for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. On January 15, 2020, the nomination application was signed by the Minister of Culture, Nauris Puntulis, in the presence of the head of the National Heritage Board of Latvia (NKMP), Juris Dambis; archaeologist Juris Urtāns; Chairman of the Grobiņa Municipality Council, Aivars Priedols; editor of the nomination application, Ilze Kārkliņa; the head of the active tourism center “Curonian Viking Settlement,” Raimonds Reinis; Secretary-General of the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO, Baiba Moļņika; and Deputy State Secretary for Cultural Policy Issues of the Ministry of Culture, Uldis Zariņš.
The nomination, summarizing a decade of work in recognizing and highlighting the values of archaeological heritage, was prepared through collaboration between the National Heritage Board of Latvia, Grobiņa Municipality, and local residents (including youth and history enthusiasts from the “Curonian Viking Settlement” active tourism center), with support from the Latvian National Museum of History, the University of Latvia, the Liepāja Municipality (including the Liepāja Museum), the Latvian Association of Local and Regional Governments, and the Latvian National Commission for UNESCO. Experts in the scientific section—historians and archaeologists Elīna Guščika, Ingrīda Līga Virse, Juris Urtāns, Egita Lūsēna, Jānis Asaris, and Andris Šnē—played a key role in preparing the application.
The Grobiņa Archaeological Ensemble represents a key site for understanding a unique shift in global communication history. During the pre-Viking period (7th–9th centuries), Grobiņa became the earliest and most significant Scandinavian overseas settlement. As such, the ensemble offers a unique and well-preserved testimony to the beginnings of Scandinavian overseas activities in the Viking Age.
Minister of Culture Nauris Puntulis remarked: “We are on the brink of a significant event—everything necessary has been done to officially nominate another cultural heritage site from our country for the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is the result of many years of work involving professionals from various fields. The nomination and a potential positive outcome attest to our cultural richness and complexity, and will promote greater international interest in Latvia. I hope that within a year, Latvia will proudly have three World Heritage List sites!”
The head of the NKMP, Juris Dambis, emphasized: “The successful collaboration among professionals, local government, and community interest groups has created a new identity for the site, driving thoughtful and value-based quality development for Grobiņa.”
Chairman of the Grobiņa Municipality Council, Aivars Priedols, stated: “The Grobiņa Archaeological Ensemble is significant both historically and for the future development of the city, the region, and even the entire country. Over these eight years, since we began activities with the Viking theme, tourism has grown by more than 15%, but the key outcome is that our residents, especially the youth, now have a greater understanding of their history, which we can proudly present on the international stage. We must take care of what we have to create the future we dream of!”
The nomination will be reviewed by the advisory body, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). Based on the experts’ recommendations, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee will decide whether to include the site in the World Heritage List.
Currently, two sites in Latvia are on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the Historic Centre of Riga (inscribed in 1997) and two points of the Struve Geodetic Arc (inscribed in 2005).