Tirgus laukums, Ventspils Travel Guide

Tirgus Laukums, or Market Square, is a central gathering place in Ventspils with a rich history dating back to the 17th century. Originally, this square served as the town's administrative center, with the Ventspils Town Hall standing on its edge until 1850. Today, the approximate location of the town hall is symbolically marked by a carillon clock tower.Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, the square was surrounded by the residences of the wealthiest and most prominent citizens. For two centuries, it was the place where the townspeople gathered to hear the decisions of the town council. For five centuries, a market has operated here.In 2009, the square underwent a reconstruction, resulting in a new, attractive tourist destination while preserving its original market function. The reconstructed square features a new cobblestone pavement that marks the location and outlines of the 18th-century market buildings, offering visitors a glimpse into the square's historical layout.A unique feature is the "Market Well" adorned with the city's coat of arms, providing visitors with water for drinking and washing produce. In sunny weather, the well also functions as a sundial, with lines indicating the cardinal directions extending from its base. The carillon clock tower is a central point, symbolizing the unrealized plans of past town councilors to install a central clock in the Town Hall tower. The clock combines time and sound, and its three faces display Latvian time, the lunar phase, and the day of the week.