Kolka as a populated area is mentioned in chronicles from 1384.
The population as everywhere else along the coast dealt with fishing and trading. That was facilitated by the location in the narrowest place of the Riga Gulf –
in the sound connecting the gulf with the sea. On the shore from time immemorial there were beacons for the passing ships not to run aground – originally bonfires, then special houses were
built.
Like at any place where active trade ways passed, Kolka had its own pirates and
robbers. Their names are covered with ancient legends and tales telling that near Kolka they had their own castles where they stored the treasures robbed, narrating of raids, false
bonfire-beacons, and one of the most famous chiefs is even assigned a role in making the Kolka promontory – supposedly the Devil at his order had for one night to make a bridge over the
sound for the Chief to have a possibility to marry a daughter of a local ruler, but the morning came faster than the construction was completed, so the “bridge” remained unfinished.
The most active development of Kolka began only from the middle of the 19th century. Nowadays the town is an administrative center of a volostj of the same name. There are a few
enterprises working in the town as well as a gas station, stores, cafes, administrative services, and religious congregations. One of the principal profit sources is
tourism.
Like at any place where active trade ways passed, Kolka had its own pirates and
robbers. Their names are covered with ancient legends and tales telling that near Kolka they had their own castles where they stored the treasures robbed, narrating of raids, false
bonfire-beacons, and one of the most famous chiefs is even assigned a role in making the Kolka promontory – supposedly the Devil at his order had for one night to make a bridge over the
sound for the Chief to have a possibility to marry a daughter of a local ruler, but the morning came faster than the construction was completed, so the “bridge” remained unfinished.