Riga - the heart of Latvia and its wonderful capital, a city with a rich eight centuries-old history, where on the bridge heard the echo of bygone centuries, and strict Gothic style is subtly bordered by lush art Nouveau and heavy Baroque. The centre of Riga is full of architectural and historical attractions, to see which hurries everyone who decided to visit Riga.
This article will tell you about the main and most visited attractions of Riga! Or, What to see, where to go in Riga!
The city is divided into old and new Riga. Old Riga - the historical center (old town), which incorporates a long history. In this part of Riga is concentrated in the abundance of the most visited attractions of the city. In addition to the main attractions of the old town is cobbled streets, churches, squares and courtyards, an abundance of cafes, bars and restaurants, there are museums and theatres, as well as the pride of Riga, the presidential residence Riga castle.
Main sights the old part of Riga (old Riga)
Vecriga is located on the right Bank of the river Daugava and covers a relatively small inner area of the fortifications system ages 13-18 with unique monuments of medieval architecture.
Town hall square and house of blackheads
Town hall square (Ratslaukums) is one of the most famous and visited areas of the Riga historical centre with its symbol - the House of the blackheads (Melngalvju Nams). Also on the town hall square you can see the city Hall, which is a three-story building, with columns at the main entrance, a balcony and a clock tower. And the center of the square is decorated with a recognizable symbol of the town square - statue of the knight Roland More...
St. Peter's Church
St. Peter's Church (Sv. Pētera baznīca) is one of the oldest and most iconic in the Baltic States buildings, the symbol and main attraction of Riga. Also St. Peter's Cathedral is a valuable example of monumental medieval architecture. First of all, the Church is famous for its original, widely recognizable spire. The total height of the tower of the Church of St. Peter is 123,5 meters, of which 64.5 meters falls on the spire. In the Church of SV. Peter, at a height of 72 meters is an observation deck, accessible and which offers superb panoramic views of the old city.
And the rear of the Church is the famous statue of the Bremen town musicians read More...
Cathedral
In the heart of Old Riga it is the largest square - the dome (Doma laukums), in the center of which stands the symbol of the city of Riga Cathedral (Rīgas Doms) with its world famous organ. None of the buildings of Riga in age, scale, grandeur and attendance will not equal the dome Cathedral. It is the largest medieval Church in the Baltic States. Read more...
In addition to the Duomo around the dome square , the cafes and restaurants under the open sky, colorful gingerbread houses, stately buildings of medieval architecture and art Museum More...
Street Of Sherlock Holmes - Jauniela
Close to the dome square is one of the most picturesque streets of the old part of Riga, Jauniela street (Jauniela). This is a small street, long only 225 meters, is the most cinematic streets of Riga, where the Soviet Union when abroad were not available, the Directors made the movies, if the frame is needed to show Europe. So in the famous TV series "the adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson" street acted as a London street Baker street, and in the television series "Seventeen moments of spring" in the role of Flower street with its famous Flower shop read More...
The Livu Square
The Livu square, in comparison with other areas and architectural buildings of the old town, is a relatively new area. It was formed only in 1950, the year of the 20th century, the site of the demolition of the city's buildings destroyed during the Second world war. On the square is preserved a complex of residential buildings of the 17th century, also around the square is located attractions such as: Big and Small guilds, cat's house, Riga Russian theatre More...
Architectural complex "Three brothers"
Three brothers in Riga (the Three Brothers) is an architectural complex consisting of three wonderful, adjacent and nearly identical houses. Home "Three brothers" are a good sample of medieval Riga architecture, each of which was built in the century. Besides, it is not only the oldest building in those buildings to this day people live More...
Cathedral of St. James
Cathedral of St. Jacob in Riga (Rīgas Svētā Jēkaba katedrāle) is the fourth largest Church in Riga, located in the heart of old Riga, two steps away from the historical and architectural complex "the Three brothers". This Church is famous for its aspiring to the heavens slim 80-meter tower with green upper part, topped by a spire with a tip in the form of a Golden Cockerel. This is the only genuine Gothic tower in the city, which has never changed its original appearance read More...
Yakovlevsky barracks (Jacob) and the city wall with Ramer's tower
Yakovlevsky barracks or the barracks Jacob (Ekaba kazarmas) is a complex of low buildings of yellow extending along the street Torna. The Jacob's barracks was built in the late 17th century for the Swedish soldiers who defended the city from invading enemies from the North-East direction. Currently Yakovlevsky barracks are no longer used for its intended purpose, there are souvenir shops, stores, offices, cafés, pubs and restaurants, as well as companies and representative offices of the cities of Latvia.
On the opposite side of Jacob's barracks is part of the wall - a fragment of the former building of Riga city, the center of which is located the defensive rectangular tower Ramer. This tower and the wall was previously used as defensive fortifications More...
Powder tower
Powder tower (Pulvertornis) is the oldest and the only surviving tower of a similar kind in the whole of Riga. Powder tower originally called the Sand tower and dated to 1330 buildings. The sand tower was named because it covered the entrance to the city from the Big Sandy road.
The current name of the tower was only in the 17th century, after it began to store gunpowder infantry. Currently, the tower is the Latvian war Museum read More...
The courtyards of the convent and Jan Seth Seth
Konventa seta (Konventa seta) and John Seth (Jaņa seta) - small yards, located behind the Cathedral of St. Peter, between skārņu streets and Kaleju. Both courtyards are monuments of architecture and are located next to each other so that from one courtyard to go to another. Separates the low wall with the arched gates read More...
Riga castle
Riga castle (Rīgas pils) is one of the most important elements and historical and architectural complex of the classical city of Riga. For several centuries, Riga castle was the residence of the secular power in the city. After the restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia in 1991, the castle became the official residence and main workplace of the President of Latvia. Due to this, the Riga castle is also called the Presidential Palace ...read More
Cable-stayed bridge and the embankment of the river Daugava
The vanšu bridge (Vanšu Tilts) - road bridge connecting two coast of the river Daugava. This bridge is not only of practical importance, since it offers nice panoramic views of Riga, including the Riga castle. On the right side of the river from the bridge originates promenade, which runs along the heart of old Riga.
The main attractions of Riga outside the old town
The Freedom monument and lime watch
Freedom monument (Brivibas piemineklis) stands in the center of the homonymous square, decorating not only the area but also the surrounding area. This is one of the Central tourist attractions of Riga symbol of the independence of Latvia.
Laima clock (Laimas pulkstenis) is located near the Freedom monument. They are installed in 1924. At first it was just a town clock, who played a purely practical role to the inhabitants of the city were not late for work, and only in the 30-ies of the last century the clock appeared, the logo of the famous confectionery factory "Laima" read More...
Bastion hill and Latvian national Opera
The name Bastion hill sounds like Bastejkalns/Bastejkalns. Currently it is green square (in the summer), very romantic and one of the most beautiful places in the centre of Riga. She also Bastion hill is an artificial structure, on top of which is a work of art, consisting of a number of benches of different heights.
In the centre Bastion of the square runs the Riga city canal, which once served as a moat along the city. Currently, the city channel ennobled, on both sides adorn the greenery, lie the narrow walkways, and in the channel swim ducks. In summer, the canal cruising pleasure boats.
The square near the Bastion hill is divided into two parts, one of which is the Bastion hill and the other is the Opera square and the Latvian national ballet and Opera (Latvijas Nacionala opera un balets) More...
The pearl of art Nouveau - the streets in the art Nouveau style: Alberta and Elizabetes street
In the capital of Latvia, there are about 800 buildings built in the German art Nouveau - Jugendstil, and this is neither more nor less, almost a third of the Central part of the city. Therefore, almost anywhere in the centre of Riga you can find buildings made in art Nouveau style.
However, the biggest and the brightest of its embodiment of the art Nouveau found on Elizabetes and Alberta, as well as in the building of the Latvian national Museum of art (Latvijas Nacionālais mākslas muzejs) More...
Latvian Academy of arts
Latvijas Mākslas akadēmija
Academy of arts in Riga by its appearance in neo-Gothic style, can be considered a landmark. Latvian Academy of Arts is a higher education public institution, founded in 1919 one of the first Latvian professional painters Wilhelm Purvitis. The Academy building was built in 1905 by architect Wilhelm Bockslaff.
Riga Cathedral of the Nativity
Rigas Kristus Piedzimšanas pareizticīgo katedrāle
This Orthodox Church is not only a decoration of the "New Riga", but also the largest Orthodox Church in the city. In Soviet times there was a planetarium and a restaurant, but after the restoration of independence, the Cathedral was restored. Cathedral of the Nativity is located near Riga, the Park Esplanāde, which also features the art Museum and Academy of arts.
Creative quarters of Riga - spīķeri and Kalnciema
Quarter "Spikeri" (Spiķeri) is home to more than a dozen cultural and creative groups. Near a quarter from the promenade along the river Daugava. Together they are part of the historical centre of Riga, a UNESCO world cultural heritage site by UNESCO.
Unlike the spīķeri quarter, quarter, Kalnciema street is the area of the modern city, built wooden houses, which is also called wooden architecture of Riga read More...
The Latvian Academy of Sciences
The Latvian Academy of Sciences - founded in 1946, the Supreme scientific institution, bringing together more than 300 scientists not only of the Republic of Latvia, but also other countries in the field of natural, engineering, social Sciences and Humanities. In the building of the Academy of Sciences located lookout (circular terrace), which, for a fee, you can climb and admire the 360 degree panorama of Riga.
Next to the Academy of Sciences is fashionable to visit the Riga Church of the Annunciation (Rīgas Dievmātes Pasludināšanas baznīca), which is a historical monument of architecture.
Riga Old St. Gertrude Church
Rigas Vecā Svētās Ģertrūdes baznīca Evaņģēliski luteriskā
In the Christian world known as Saint Gertrude the patron Saint and the patron of all travelers. Already in the middle ages the name of Saint Gertrude has been called the Church, which was located outside the defensive walls of Riga. In those days, the temple at the entrance to the city has allowed the belated travellers, under the walls of Riga after dark and caught at the closed gate of the city, to thank the Lord for a good trip.
The Jewish quarter
The Jewish quarter or the Riga ghetto in Riga, this is the place where were taken of the Jews during the Second world war. The Jewish quarter occupies almost the entire street School. Unfortunately, from the Jewish heritage in Riga, according to many specialists, nothing is left except in places where they were destroyed.
Vērmanes Park
Vērmanes dārzs (Vērmanes dārzs) is the oldest Park of Riga. In the Park, collected rare species of plants, equipped with walking paths, children's Playground, places to stay, variety of wood, a fountain, sculptures, and fine-dining restaurant BIBLIOTĒKA No. 1. And near the Park from the street Terbatas (Tērbatas iela), located flower shop.
Bazaar Berga
Bazaar Berga (Berga Bazārs) is an historical pedestrian quarter, consisting of an ensemble of several buildings preserved in its age-old power of the architectural complex, built at the turn of 19-20 centuries. One hundred years ago, Bergs Bazaar was one of the leading centers of economic and cultural life of Latvia.
Currently, the Market Berg has become an elite shopping complex - international trade centre, displaying a variety of economic and cultural life of Riga. Now the district is completely pedestrian, it houses the most famous Riga's boutiques, salons, arcades, cafes, restaurants, offices, banks, 5-star boutique Hotel Bergs, a sports complex and Wellness center, and cinema ...read More
Riga Central market
Riga Central market - the most famous and largest market of Riga. It was founded in 1930 and since then regularly supplies fresh produce and food products to residents and visitors alike. In addition to the quality and variety of products on the market, he is also famous for its architecture. And it is known that located in the large, semicircular pavilions, previously served as hangars for the storage of airships More...
