Virtual Riga


	Reitern House
		The first new style living house in Riga built in 1685, by city building master R.Bindenschuh for one of the most important Town hall members and merchants of the 17th century - Johann Reitern. This is the most beautiful merchant living house in Riga, a wonderful monument of Baroque. A prosperous man wanted to present his power not only in business but in something permanent, too. This house was a kind of revolution in the building traditions - for the first time a house was situated with its long side along the street, for the first such a high ceiling is used in living house and for the first time there were large widows in the building. The fascinating facade, made by stone cutter A.Smysel, was just another kind of building, compare with the earlier dwelling house manner and style. Now Latvian Journalists' House has been settled here with an exhibition site and a cafe.

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