Valmiera

"Wolmar" redirects here. For people named Wolmar, see Wolmar (surname).

Valmiera
City
Town centre with St. Simon's Church behind
Flag Coat of arms
Valmiera Location in Latvia
Coordinates:
Country	Latvia
Town rights	1323
Government
• Mayor	Jānis Baiks
Area
• Total	18.18 km2 (7.02 sq mi)
Population
• Total	27,569
• Density	1,516/km2 (3,930/sq mi)
Time zone	EET (UTC+2)
• Summer (DST)	EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code	LV-4201 LV-4202 LV-4204
Calling code	+371 642
Number of city council members	13

Valmiera (<phonos file="Lv-Valmiera.ogg">pronunciation</phonos>; German: Wolmar) is the largest city of the historical Vidzeme region, Latvia, with a total area of 18.1 square kilometres (7 square miles). It is the center of the Valmiera District. As of 2002, Valmiera had a population of 27,323, and in 2008 – 27,569.

It lies at the crossroads of several important roads, 100 kilometres (62 miles) to the north-east from Riga, the capital of Latvia, and 50 km (31 mi) south of the border with Estonia. Valmiera lies on both banks of the Gauja River.

History

Valmiera and its surroundings have been one of the longest-inhabited regions of Latvia. Archeological evidence indicates the site was inhabited 9,000 years ago. Valmiera was first mentioned as a town in a chronicle dating back to 1323. The actual founding of the town probably occurred at least 40 years earlier when the master of the Livonian Order Wilken von Endorp constructed a castle (Wolmar) and Catholic church on the banks of the river Gauja. Valmiera was a member of the Hanseatic League from the 14th–16th centuries. Involvement in the Hansa brought significant trade and movement into the town’s life.

During the Great Northern War Valmiera was destroyed and burned down in 1702. Valmiera largely followed the history of northern Livonia.

During World War II, Valmiera was captured by troops of the German Army Group North on 4 July 1941 and placed under the administration of Reichskommissariat Ostland. The city was recaptured on 24 September 1944 by troops of the 3rd Baltic Front of the Red Army during the Riga Offensive. During war almost all buildings at the center of Valmiera was destroyed.

The Cold War Liepas air base was located nearby.

Version 2.2 of the open source mapping application QGIS was named in honor of Valmiera.

Today

Valmiera is the de facto cultural and administrative centre of Vidzeme. It is the only town in the region to have a professional theater, Valmieras teātris, which was established in 1919. In 1996, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (Vidzemes Augstskola), was established.

Valmiera's municipality has been involved a variety of projects to improve the quality of life in the region. One of the largest projects is creating a garbage control system in northern Vidzeme. A project for water supply development and the restoration of sewage systems is being realised to promote the modernisation of the economic system in Vidzeme. The improvement of the payment system, the construction of a thermoelectric station, and the building of a sports hall for the Olympic Centre are also being planned.

Valmiera is an important industrial centre. The dominating economic branches in Valmiera are the food industry (milk, meat, and grain), fibreglass production, metalworking, wood processing and furniture producing.

• Bridge over Gauja river.JPG

  Bridge over Gauja river in Valmiera

• Rigas Iela, summer 2013.JPG

  Riga street in the centre of Valmiera

• Valmiera muuseum.JPG

  Valmiera city museum

• Valmieras teatris.JPG

  Valmiera theater

• Valmiera Old Pharmacy in Castle ruins.JPG

  Valmiera Castle ruins

• Valmiera railway station 2.JPG

  Valmiera railway station

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Latvia

Twin towns — sister cities

Valmiera is twinned with:

Halle (Westf.), Germany (1994) Høje-Taastrup, Denmark (1995) Marly, France (1992) Pskov, Russia (2001)

Solna, Sweden (1991) Viljandi, Estonia (1992) Zduńska Wola, Poland (2002)

See also

• Valmiera Drama Theatre