Liepāja Occupation Museum

The Liepāja Occupation Museum offers a powerful look at the city’s turbulent 20th‑century history, tracing the impact of both Soviet and Nazi regimes on local life. Established by dedicated researchers and survivors, the museum preserves personal stories, documents, and objects that reveal how occupation shaped everyday reality in this strategic Baltic port. Its exhibitions highlight the dramatic shifts Liepāja endured: the Soviet takeover in 1940, the brutal Nazi occupation beginning in 1941, and the return of Soviet rule after the war. One of the most striking aspects is the focus on individual experiences—letters, photographs, and testimonies that show how families navigated repression, deportations, censorship, and the loss of civil freedoms. The museum also documents the tragic fate of Liepāja’s Jewish community, nearly annihilated during the Holocaust. Another compelling element is the exploration of resistance and survival. Visitors learn about underground movements, cultural resilience, and the quiet acts of defiance that helped preserve identity under totalitarian rule. After Latvia regained independence in 1991, the museum became an important centre for remembrance, education, and dialogue.