Šķēde Dunes Holocaust Memorial

Latvia


The beauty obscures the horror. Some 10km north of Liepāja, off a long dirt coastal road, is a memorial at a place of death. Amidst a flawless white sand beach and dunes protected by pine forests, there is a large memorial to the more than 3000 local Jews shot here by the Nazis from September 1941 to February 1942. Signs show blurry photos of terrified men, women and children moments before they were killed. The open area is dominated by a 2005 sculpture that stretches across gravel and forms a Star of David. It's a contemplative spot, the silence only broken by the sound of the sea.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Latvia attractions

1. St Nicholas Maritime Cathedral

3.26 MILES

The stunning cathedral, with its bulbous cupolas, shines like a precious stone through the grey concrete of the decrepit Soviet apartment blocks that…

2. Karosta Prison

3.68 MILES

Gluttons for punishment will get a bellyful in this creepy old Soviet-era prison, which operated right up until 1997. Built in 1900 as an infirmary, it…

3. Liepāja Museum

6.19 MILES

Features a variety of impressive displays, such as an interactive exhibit that brings to life the tough lives of people living in the South Kurzeme in the…

4. House of Craftsmen

6.39 MILES

Check out the largest piece of amber art in the world, plus legions of old women knitting scarves, mittens and blankets available for purchase. The…

5. Peter’s Market

6.57 MILES

Vendors have touted their wares here since the mid-17th century. The market expanded in 1910, when an art nouveau–style pavilion was constructed adjacent…

6. Seaside Park

6.65 MILES

Ancient trees, manicured flower beds, water features, elegant walkways and cycling trails make this 3km-long park the very definition of an urban oasis…

7. Liepāja Beach

6.7 MILES

This Blue Flag beach is a fabulous place for a dip. The fine white sand is over 50m in width and the shore stretches for 8km. In summer you'll find a few…

8. Liepāja Under Occupation Museum

6.73 MILES

Traces the bloody history of the Soviet and Nazi occupations in Latvia, with an emphasis on Liepāja. Captions are in Latvian, but no words are needed to…