The diversity and make up of Riga's architecture gives the city its charm and splendor. Riga has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in the world and Riga's old town, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, adds to Riga's architectural magic. |
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Riga old town
UNESCO World Heritage site with something for everybody. Centuries-old warehouses and churches line the cobbled streets and squares. Old Riga is also home to most of the city's best clubs, bars and restaurants and can easily be negotiated by foot.
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Freedom monument
The Freedom Monument (1931-1935) was created by sculptor Karlis Zale (1888-1942) and architect Ernests Stalbergs, and built with money donated by the people. Latvia wouldn't be Latvia without Milda staring proudly over the city.
central market
Riga Central Market (1930), One of Europe's largest marketplaces. You will find everything from a Zeppelin-hanger full of cheese and dairy products to counterfeit cds on sale, as well as a fascinating window in on real life in Latvia.
Riga bridge
This Riga bridge, which crosses into the old town, is covered with locks. In Latvia when a couple get married they put their lock on a bridge and throw away the key... a sentimental way of saying that the marriage is there to last!
swedish gate
The period of Swedish rule is remembered by the Swedish Gate, Zviedru varti, built at that time and the last surviving city gate. The tower, known as the Powder Tower, was first mentioned in the mid-14th century but was completely destroyed by the invading Swedes. They rebuilt it in 1650 with walls 2½m thick to store gunpowder, hence its current name. It now forms part of the Latvian War Museum at the edge of Riga's old town.
The musicians of bremen
This charming piece of art, The Musicians of Bremen, was a gift from Riga's twin city in 1990. Riga's close connections with its fellow Hansa City go back many centuries. Indeed the town's 13th-century constitution was based on that of Bremen. The sculpture, which is an exact replica of the one in Bremen City Hall, depicts the four animals from the story>
national opera
National Opera House – The focus of Latvian cultural life. World-class opera on offer in one of Europe's most magnificent opera buildings. Riga Out There can book you opera or ballet tickets
Pardaugava
Pardaugava; Just across the River Daugava there's a whole different world of sights for the visitor to see that you might miss if you stay in old Riga.
Jurmala
Jurmala; Just 20kms from the capital, twenty years ago Jurmala was considered by many as the finest resort in the whole of the Soviet Union.
The Academy of Arts
The Academy of Arts, built in 1902-1905 by architect W.Bockslaff, together with sculptor A.Folz and stained glass master E.Tode, is a building combining synthesis of Neo-gothic and Jugendstil. This is the best-known project by W.Bocksalff.
Alberta Street
Alberta Street carries the name of the man who founded Riga. Now it is one of the most beautiful and splendid streets in the city, representing all tat Jugendstil can offer. The construction of this street took place in a rather short period of time - from 1901 till 1908.
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Building of the Blackheads' Organization
Unfortunately, one of the most beautiful buildings in Riga was destroyed during the II World War, because the building of the Blackheads' Organization was one of the most impressive architectural monuments in the city.
Building of Cats' House
Not all of the buildings in Old City can be described with one or other architectural style. There is a building in Old City, decorated with two black cats on the top. The building was made by F.Shefel in 1909, using Jugendstyle elements
Building of Dome School
The premises of the former Dome monastery were used by the first school in Riga. The Dome school has established in 1211, pupils were taught in Latin and all the teachers were priests. After the Reformation the School was under the authority of City and it became the first establishment of higher education in Riga.
Building of Great Guildhall
Great Guild was originally Merchants' organization dated with 1354, its members were German merchants. The first building of Great Guild..
Building of National Theater
The building of National Theater was built in 1899-1902 by A.Reinberg. Till the I World War this building belonged to a Russian troupe, in the autumn 1917 Riga Latvian Society obtained these premises for a Latvian theater.
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Building of Riga Latvian Society
Riga Latvian Society's activities were first dated in 1868 when a group of Latvian intellectuals, private employers and merchants joined together in a society. We can name some of Society's Members of Honor, popular public people ...
Building of Small Guildhall
Craftsmen did not have such an importance influence to city's activities as merchants did, therefore even their Guild was called the Small, just opposite to Merchants' Guild. Small Guild was established in 1352, the number of corporations increased till 40 in the XVIIIth century.
Church of Maria-Magdalen
Church of Maria-Magdalen is the only building that survived of the former Cistercian Nunnery (1255 - 1582). During the period of Swedish rule this church was renovated, after Riga was incorporated in Russia the church was renamed as Alexander Orthodox Church.
Cinema 'Riga'
Cinema 'Splendid Palace' (1924), now cinema 'Rīga' is the first architect's F.Skujinsh work, that made him popular. A similar cinema building in Tallinn 'Crystal-Palace' was destroyed during the II World War.
St. George Church
The oldest building in Riga, survived from the Castle of the Sword Brotherhood Order, founded in 1202. St. George church was developed on the basis of a meeting place and later - a chapel.
St.John Church
The beginning of the church was dated at the end of the XIII century, when the Dominicans built a church for the necessities of a cloister. This church was destroyed several times, therefore we can find a fusion of different architectural styles, but in fact, this is not the only example of this kind architectural monuments in Riga due to complex history of the city.
The Mentzendorf's House
The Mentzendorf's House is the architectural monument from the 17th and the 18th century. The name was derived from the last owners of this house - the Mentzendorfs. In 1992 museum was established;
St.Peter Church
One of the most significant and beautiful Gothic churches in Riga and the Baltic states. The Church was mentioned first in 1209 as the merchants church and it served as their meeting place, as well. It was a Catholic church until 1523, when during the Reformation it turned Lutheran. The Church gained its present look during several centuries.
The Powder Tower
This is one part of the former fortification system, surrounding Riga. It was first mentioned in 1330 and it was originally called Smilsu Tornis (The Sand Tower), but from the 17th century when the powder had been kept in it, the Tower gained the name of Powder.
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.
Riga Castle
Built for the Order in 1330, Riga Castle served as the seat of the secular power for a long time. The place on the banks of the Daugava was chosen for purpose to oversee all the ship which came into the port, this place was strategically important, as well.
Riga History and Navigation Museum
Riga History and Navigation Museum was founded in 1773. It is one of the largest and the oldest museums in Latvia, as well in the Baltic states. The number of items kept in the repository exceeds 500 thousand and they are of great cultural-historical and artistic value.
State Museum of Fine Arts
The building of the city art museum has a long history, including the open competition in 1897. This is the first building created specially as a museum.
It was built by a famous art scientist and architect W.Neumann (1849-1919).
Swedish gate
One of the most interesting buildings in Old Riga. It belongs to the former fortification wall surrounding all of the Old City. In one of the wings the Swedish gate, built into the fortification wall in 1698 has situated.
Three Brothers
The tradition that members of one handicraft live on one street was in full force and effect in medieval Riga, too. So we can find three dwelling-houses surviving from the former Backer Street side by side to each other, perhaps this is the reason why these houses are called Three Brothers.
Usma Church in Open-Air Museum
Lutheran church built in 1704 near the lake of Usma (close to Kuldiga town) was moved to Open-Air Museum in 1935.
The Dome Cathedral Liberty Monument
The foundation stone of the Dome was laid in 1211, when Bishop Albert had a great plan of building a church, a monastery, some more buildings to present the power of Catholic church in Riga.
The Common Grave Ensemble
An unforgettable ensemble analogue of which is hard to find in Europe, is devoted to the memory of those who fell during the I and the II World War.
