Kolka (Livonian: Kūolka Russian: "Колка") is a village in Kolka parish, Dundaga municipality on the tip of Cape Kolka in Courland in Latvia, on the coast of the Gulf of Riga in ancient Livonia. It is home to the last remnants of Latvia's Livonian ethnic group, whose Livonian language is highly endangered. The village has highest number of Livonians in the historical area of Livonian coast. In 1995 of total 186 Livonians in Latvia, 53 lived in Kolka.[1]
Kolka is possibly the place where Danish archbishop Absalon built the first church in Baltic area. First mentions of it are from 1387, when it was called Domesnes which may refer to Danish or Finnish background. Livonian name Kūolka means "corner" in English.
Kolka has three picturesque old churches (all in service now): Lutheran, Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic (trinity of largest religious groups in Latvia). The old church seminary building is located between the first two churches. Kolka has a small hotel, restaurant, several shops and a petrol station. An old fish processing factory (now closed) is located in the port harbour. Strategically located on the cape, the lighthouse was built in 1864 and it has been renovated twice (in 1975 and in 1985). Additionally, there are some ruins of the old lighthouse which was built in 14th century.
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