Sightsees in Riga

Central Market
One of the largest in Europe, the market is partly outdoors and housed in old German blimp hangers. Imagine a complete building full of cheeses and another selling meat. A great place to purchase some hand knitted wool socks for that special person at Christmas. Located next to international bus station. Hours daily 07:00 to 18:00.

Soviet leftovers
Take a short ride to the North West corner of Riga and visit the abandoned Spilve Airport that was in heavy use during soviet times. The main terminal building still adorns the hammer and sickle on the front façade.

Par Daugava (over the Daugava River – West bank)
provides a wonderful photo opportunity of the riga Old City and skyline. Year around, the best time to visit is close to sunset which may be quite late in the summer and quite early in the winter. Take a camera!

Wooden buildings Nometnu Street Agenskalns District Riga
Wooden buildings Nometnu Street Agenskalns District Riga is home of some historic old wooden buildings dating back to the early 1900’s. Take Tram 4 or 5 from the Old City. Exit Nometnu Street (first stop after Park Maritim Hotel). Walk along Nometnu street in both directions and just let your mind go back in time. Imagine what it would have been like the day that these marvelous buildings were dedicated.

Par Statue of Karlis Padegs
Take a walk North along Merkela Street from the train station. As you pass the Circus make note that is one of the oldest in Europe. Cross K. Barona street and walk about 30 meters further on. You can’t miss the statue as it looks like the local playboy from the 1930’s. Be sure to take a flower for his jacket. Mr. Padegs (1911-1940) was a highly talented painter and graphic artist of his time. Some of his works are on display in the State Art Museum.

Walk along the tall Art Nouveau buildings
Walk along the tall Art Nouveau buildings built by the world famous Mikhail Eisenstein (father of the film director Sergei) and enjoy the eclectic and decorative masterpieces built around 1904. Alberta Street is a true treasure in Riga’s chest of history. Riga is home to the world’s largest collection of Art Nouveau buildings.

Freedom Monument
The voluminous Freedom Monument (Brivibas Piemineklis) is a sacred place in the hearts and minds of every Latvian. This potent symbol of the nation was built in 1935 with the help of citizen's donations. The author of the project was an outstanding Latvian sculptor Karlis Zale. The image of Liberty holding three stars in stretched hands crowns the monument and symbolizes unity of the country. Somehow the monument has survived four decades of the Soviet rule. A popular local joke during the Communist era was that the monument was actually a travel agent, since laying flowers at it guaranteed a one-way ticket to Siberia. Today, the monument, the tallest of its kind in Europe, is back to its best after a major renovation, and still retains its meaning, as well as doubling up as a favorite meeting point for the city's youth. This monument takes a very special place in the history of Latvia. In the late 80s - early 90s the monument became a spiritual centre of the nation, a symbol of people's longing for independence. Riga's residents gather on the square round the monument on state holidays and commemoration days. Military parades are held there.

Riga Castle
Built in 1330 as a residence for the Livonian order governing body, Riga Castle later served as the seat of the secular powers. The place on the banks of the Daugava was chosen for purpose to oversee all the ships, which came into the port. So this place was strategically important as well. Beginning with the second part of the 16th century, when the Livonian Order was reformed, the members of Polish, Swedish and Russian secular power had their seats there. Riga Castle was reconstructed at the end of the 18th century, and at the beginning of the 19th century the second floor was built. Also, in the 18th century, the square near the castle with the tower on each corner was constructed. The last reconstruction was made in the 30s of the 20th century by architect E.Laube. The gate, interiors and furniture was designed by A.Cirulis. Now the President of Latvia has a residence in one of the castle's wings.

The Dome Cathedral
The Dome Cathedral is the largest cathedral in the Baltics. It was founded on St Jacob's Day in 1211 by Latvia's Teutonic conquerors under the bishop Albert von Buxhoeveden, who became its first bishop. In the past centuries the Dome Cathedral has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, so presently it is a composite of different architectural styles. The oldest part of the cathedral is the altar build in the manner of Romanesque. Gothic style has left its traces in the architecture of Basilica; baroque is the style of the 18th century spire. Western entrance was built in the second part of the 19th century, and has the features of pseudo-gothic style. The first construction period was finished by 1270. After the last reconstruction that took place in 1776, the tower was raised to the height of 90 meters. One of the highlights of the cathedral is the famous organ that was made in 1884 by a German company "E.F. Walker & Co". At that time it was the biggest organ in the world. The organ has 6 718 pipes and is with wooden carvings from 17-18th centuries. This well-known historical monument became a symbol of the Old Town of Riga.

Powder Tower
For the first time it was mentioned under the name of the Sand Tower. At the beginning of the 14 century the tower was a main part of Sand Gate fortification system, consisting of 25 towers. It stood on the Sand Road that led to the town. From the 17th century the Powder Tower served as a gunpowder warehouse. So it gained the name "Pulvertornis" meaning Powder Tower in English. It had to stand main attacks of Swedish troops in 1625 and was restored only in 25 years. The war with Russia left its traces too. 9 cannon balls embedded in its thick three meters wide walls. Today in the Powder Tower the Latvian War Museum is located. The museum was founded in 1916 as the Latvian Riflemen's Museum. In 1937-1939 a new museum extension was added to the Powder Tower. The museum was closed by Soviet authorities in 1940 and reopened in 1990. The museum houses the permanent exhibitions "Latvian Soldiers During World War I 1914-1918", "Proclamation of the Latvian State and Liberation Battles 1918-1920", "The Latvian Army and Navy 1919-1940", "Latvia and World War II" and "The Road towards the Barricades 1945-1991".

Blackhead's House
The 17th century Blackhead's House is a low-rise building that figures prominently as an integral part of Riga's architectural landscape. The Blackhead's House was first mentioned in 1334. The building was owned by the Great Guild that sprang up not later than in the 14th century. The Guild consisted of the privileged groups of merchants and landholders in the Baltics and had a great influence on the town council work. In the 15th century, the house was rented out to the Blackheads Merchant Guild and became their property in 1713. Blackheads organization was a union of unmarried foreign merchants who lived in the Baltic towns without families. Beachheads' houses were clubs and communities at the same time. This beautiful Gothic building with a Dutch Renaissance facade was destroyed in 1941, during World War II. It was just recently rebuilt in honor of the city's 800th anniversary in 2001. The building is now open to the public. The renewed building, wide and squat topped with mechanical clocks, is so authentic that it looks like as if it was transported directly from the 14th century.