Riga is a small city in principle, and in one incomplete day you can have time to see the lion's share of its attractions. It’s ideal if you have time to go along three routes, which in general will allow you to form your own opinion about Riga. Travel time is approximately 5 hours excluding lunch break.

Important! If you arrive in Riga between October and March, remember that the weather in Riga is usually treacherous: either damp and chilly, or clear and very frosty. In both cases, the traveler faces rapid freezing, so thermal underwear, warm hats, scarves and mittens, and a warmer jacket will not be superfluous. But it’s best to leave high-heeled boots at home - picking heels out of the pavement is tedious.

Keep in mind that daylight hours during this period are short - about 7 hours; in winter it gets dark at half past five or five, so plan your time wisely so as not to admire the sights in the dark, wasting precious daylight hours on shopping.

So the walk begins with Town Hall Square(Ratslaukums) and then we walk along the route (crimson line in the diagram). It ends at Powder Tower(Pulvertornis) on the corner of Smilsu and Troksnu streets.

We walk to the end of Smilsu iela, turn right and walk a few minutes to Freedom Monument on the left side (a female figurine with her arms raised high).

We turn right and walk past the monument along Freedom Boulevard (Brivibas bulv.). The third street on the left will be Elizabetes street(Elizabetes iela), from which the next walk begins - (blue line).

It smoothly turns into entertaining (orange line).

Back through A stone bridge(Akmens bridge, Akmens tilts) from the last funny monument to the Town Hall Square, you can find a place for a snack and for shopping. Or you can go to the water park in Jurmala, fortunately it is open until late (see the story for the coordinates of the water park and how to get there), but this is for mega-active travelers. Have a nice day in Riga!

Route maps (is this readable?)

See also the following themed walks in Riga
1. The route “along the paths” of the Middle Ages, or in search of adventure, knights and romance
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2. Starring - Riga

The ancient port city of Riga, located on the shores of the Baltic Sea, is interesting for its unique atmosphere and leisurely pace of life. The heyday of Riga came in the Middle Ages: these were the times of the knights of the powerful Livonian Order and large merchant guilds, which enriched the Latvian capital with magnificent historical and cultural attractions. In our article we present the main Riga sights, which are definitely worth visiting for every tourist.

1. Riga Old Town

Old Riga, or, as Latvians say, Vetsriga, is the historical quarter of the Latvian capital with narrow cobbled streets, colorful medieval buildings, ancient original courtyards and a large number of interesting museums. Here you can fully experience the charm of the old city by visiting such attractions of Riga as the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the House of the Blackheads, Riga Castle, the Great and Small Guilds. After an exciting walk, you can have a pleasant time in one of the cozy cafes or restaurants.

2. Dome Cathedral

Riga Dome Cathedral is one of the main religious attractions of the Latvian capital and the largest medieval temple in the Baltic countries. This monumental building harmoniously combines the features of early Gothic, Baroque, Art Nouveau and other architectural styles. On the spire of the Dome Cathedral tower there is a gilded cockerel weathervane, one of the traditional symbols of the churches of Old Riga. The main historical value of the cathedral is its magnificent organ of the 19th century, which at the time of its installation was the largest organ in the world, and today is one of the most famous historical musical instruments in Europe. The Dome Cathedral invariably delights its visitors with wonderful sacred music: solo performances, choral singing, and, of course, unforgettable organ music concerts are held here. A visit to the Dome Cathedral in Riga is a must.

3. St. Peter's Church in Riga

The majestic Church of St. Peter is not only the oldest architectural landmark of Riga, but also its most striking symbol. The huge church tower, topped with a slender spire with a gilded cockerel, has no equal in height in all of Riga. For many years, the tower has been decorated with an ancient clock with chimes that play a traditional Latvian melody five times a day. The tower is also interesting for its observation deck, from where you can enjoy a magnificent panorama of the Old Town. Inside the church, it is worth paying attention to the sculpture of the knight Roland, the seven-domed bronze candlestick of the 16th century and the stone bas-reliefs that previously decorated the temple building. St. Peter's Church in Riga regularly holds divine services, and also organizes sacred music concerts and art exhibitions.

4. Riga Castle

One of the most significant medieval monuments in Riga is the castle on the banks of the Western Dvina. Originally, the castle, built in the 14th century, belonged to the powerful Livonian Order. At that time, it was a real medieval fortress with impregnable walls, powerful towers and a drawbridge. During the Livonian War in the mid-16th century, the troops of Ivan the Terrible defeated the Livonian Order, after which Riga Castle was empty. Subsequently, it served as the residence of Polish, Swedish and Russian rulers, each of whom rebuilt the building in accordance with their preferences. Today it is not just a beautiful Riga landmark, but the official residence of the President of Latvia. The halls of the castle house many museum exhibitions dedicated to painting, literature, music and theatrical art.

5. Latvian National Opera

The next attraction of Riga that will be interesting for tourists to visit is the Latvian National Opera. Opera art in Latvia has a rich tradition: back in the 18th century, the German Theater was established here, on the stage of which the music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven sounded, and its chief conductor for several years was the great German composer Richard Wagner. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Latvian National Opera was opened in the building of the German Theater, which for many decades has been considered the center of cultural life in Latvia. The opera's repertoire consists of world-famous classical opera productions, works by Latvian composers, original contemporary works, as well as opera productions for children. The theater is famous not only for opera, but also for ballet performances: Mikhail Baryshnikov, Alexander Godunov, Maris Liepa and other famous ballet dancers performed on its stage.

6. Verman Park

Vermanes Park, founded at the beginning of the 19th century, is the oldest public park in Riga. The park received its name in honor of Anna Verman, the widow of Riga entrepreneur Christian Verman, who allocated a large sum of money for the construction of the park. In the middle of the 19th century, an establishment with artificial mineral water was opened here. This “marketing move” turned out to be so successful that Vermansky Park immediately gained unprecedented popularity among the Russian aristocracy, who at that time loved to relax on the waters. Nowadays, Vermanes Park is a wonderful place in Riga for quiet walks and leisurely relaxation. Fans of chess matches gather near the old shell-shaped stage in the warm season, and on holidays concerts of popular performers and entertainment events take place on its stage.

The House of the Blackheads is a real gem and a hot tourist spot in Riga. Since the Middle Ages, it has gained a reputation as the most luxurious building in the Latvian capital and the center of city social life. The House of the Blackheads was built in the 14th century as a venue for lavish feasts and celebrations of the local nobility. These events were organized by young unmarried merchants who called themselves the Brotherhood of the Blackheads. At various times, the rulers of many European states, Russian tsars and queens, including Peter I and Catherine II, rested in the House of the Blackheads. Today, concerts, art exhibitions and other cultural events are held here. By visiting this attraction, you can admire antique furniture, magnificent crystal chandeliers, silverware, rare paintings in gold frames and other museum treasures. And the exquisite interiors of the palace, which surrounded the most notable and wealthy people in Europe, will not leave even the most demanding visitors indifferent.

Another interesting attraction to visit in Riga is the oldest residential complex in the city, “Three Brothers”, which consists of three medieval buildings standing close to each other. Craftsmen and traders worked and lived here. "Elder Brother", painted white, was built at the end of the 15th century. “Middle Brother” attracts the attention of visitors with its exquisite façade and the Latin inscription above the entrance: “Glory to God alone.” And the narrowest “Younger Brother” is decorated with a decorative mask that protects its inhabitants from evil spirits. Today, the Three Brothers complex houses the Museum of Architecture. During your visit, pay attention to the two ancient stone benches in front of the entrance and the open fireplace with a chimney, which was used for heating the building and cooking.

9. Latvian Ethnographic Museum

The Latvian Open Air Ethnographic Museum invites its guests to mentally travel back several centuries and take a fascinating walk through the Latvian farmstead. This attraction is one of the oldest museums of its kind in Europe. This picturesque place on the shores of Lake Juglas contains more than a hundred ancient buildings, the earliest of which date back to the 17th century. Here you can visit a cozy peasant courtyard, visit an original fishing village, examine the inside of a Latvian bathhouse, watch a blacksmith at work and admire the interior decoration of an ancient wooden church. The Latvian Ethnographic Museum often becomes the venue for folk festivals and craft festivals, thanks to which traditional Latvian culture becomes even closer to every tourist who visits this hospitable country.

10. Big and Small Guilds

The Great and Small Guilds are the oldest public buildings in Riga, used for holding meetings, organizing banquets and other important events intended for the merchant class. These attractions received their names in honor of the unions of the same name, widely known in the Middle Ages: the Great Guild united Riga merchants, and the Small Guild united Riga artisans. The main hall of the Great Guild, with its unrivaled acoustics, was perfect for holding concerts. Today the Riga Philharmonic is located here.

The Small Guild building is notable for its Gothic interior and antique stained glass windows dedicated to construction, shipping, trade and crafts. Today, large-scale events, conferences, concerts and historical balls are held within the walls of the Small Guild. Every guest will be interested in visiting the Greater and Lesser Guilds in Riga.

11. Powder Tower

The last attraction on our list that is a must see in Riga is the Powder Tower. It is the only surviving fragment of the medieval city fortifications of Riga. For many centuries, the Powder Tower reliably protected the city from attacks by enemy armies, and at the beginning of the 20th century, the Military Museum of Latvia was located within its walls. The museum exhibits a rich collection of weapons, military uniforms, photographs, awards and personal belongings of Latvian soldiers. The oldest artifacts of the museum date back to the early Middle Ages, many interesting exhibits reflect the era of the Russian Empire, and the main part of the exhibition is dedicated to the First and Second World Wars, as well as the history of the Latvian national movement. This is undoubtedly one of the most interesting tourist attractions in Riga.

Today we will have a fascinating and informative tour of the capital of Latvia. We will try to take a one-day trip to get acquainted with all its sights and look into the darkest corners of the history of this city. We'll tell you what you can see in Riga in one day.

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According to good tradition, getting to know Riga begins with a visit to the Freedom Monument. The memorial is dedicated to those residents who heroically defended the right to state independence in the 20s of the last century. The monument is located on Brivibas Avenue in the central part of Riga. The monument reaches 42 meters in height and is presented in the form of a woman, in whose hands three symbolic stars fit. A separate part of the exhibition is a group of additional figures at the foot of the pedestal, each of which reflects the culture, history and values ​​of Latvians. By the way, according to rumors, a certain Milda invited the sculptor to pose, in whose honor the monument received its second name.

Famous Lime clock

The Laima clock holds a special place in the hearts of the townspeople and is located in a high tower on one of the central squares of Riga. This is a favorite place for appointments and dates. Although today the tower is decorated with recognizable logos of the local sweet manufacturer, it did not always have this appearance. Initially, this place was a regular tram stop, where a clock was installed for the convenience of Riga residents rushing to work. In 1924, the first tower appeared on this site, which also contained a place for a clock. For a long time, the tower was dotted with socialist and communist slogans, and its original appearance was returned only in 1999. If you are in Riga for the first time, then the best place to make an appointment, which every city resident knows, will be the Laima watch.

Nymph Fountain

This architectural delight is located at the entrance to the famous Opera and Ballet Theater. It was created in 1887 by the brilliant master of his time A. Volz.

The history of the creation of the fountain is no less unique than the final product itself. According to legend, the author of the fountain, in the process of creating the figure of a naked girl, fell in love with his model. The sudden feelings that overwhelmed him did not give him peace, and the completion of the construction was constantly postponed. As a result, the beloved nevertheless reciprocated and agreed to become the wife of the brilliant architect, and the fountain, to the great joy of the residents of Riga, was completed. Today it is a statue of a naked girl with a shell in her hands, from which a stream of water bursts out. Next to the nymph there are figures of children, a turtle and a dolphin. Each element of this sculpture is created in the smallest detail. Therefore, it is highly recommended to include this attraction in your excursion program.

Monument to the Bremen Town Musicians

As children, we all watched with interest the adventures of the Bremen Town Musicians and sincerely rooted for them, sitting in front of the TV screens. It seems that in Riga there is a special attitude towards the heroes of this fairy tale, because there is a real monument to them on one of the streets. On the pedestal, one on top of the other, there are four recognizable characters - a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster. It should not be surprising that the author of the monument was a German sculptor from Bremen. After all, this city is considered a sister city to Riga. By the way, according to the sculptor’s idea, the monument carries a deep historical and philosophical thought and is dedicated to the end of the Cold War between the West and the East. Of course, modern Riga residents and guests of the city do not think about such “high matters”. They prefer to believe that if they rub the nose of a donkey or the beak of a rooster, their deepest desires will certainly come true.

House of the Blackheads

This historical building was restored after war devastation only in the 90s and became a kind of gift to the city for its 800th anniversary. Today this house attracts tourists not just with its unique appearance, but also with its luxurious interior. Exhibitions and private events for high-ranking guests are held here. According to historical information, the house was created in the 14th century and belonged to the famous merchant guild of the Blackheads. By the way, the name is not at all connected with the surname of the traders. The coat of arms of the house depicted St. Mauritius with a black head. Unfortunately, it is not possible to check whether the current appearance of the building matches the historical prototype.

Museum of Occupation

In 1993, the Museum of Occupation opened its doors, which, from its very creation to the present day, has stood out for its political and financial independence. His collection is replenished exclusively with funds from sponsors. The main idea of ​​the exhibition is to convey to modern society the life of Latvians who suffered from Nazi terror during the war, and were also persecuted by representatives of the Soviet regime. For the convenience of visitors, the collection is divided into several sections, each of which is dedicated to a separate historical period of the country. Many Russians have a contradictory attitude towards the gallery, because its creators actually equated Stalin with Hitler.

The Dome Cathedral

One of the most significant attractions in all of Latvia is the Dome Cathedral, the construction of which continued over 5 centuries, starting from the 13th century. It is not surprising that the project, which was worked on by several generations of architects, has such a mixed style. This is where the unique organ from the German manufacturer E.F. is located. Walcker & Co, which reaches a height of 25 meters! The musical instrument is decorated with decorative carvings, and when a rending sound bursts out from its seven thousand army of pipes, the heart begins to pound furiously in the chest. Even today, this instrument is considered the largest in the territory of the former USSR. And in 1883, when it was installed, there were no analogues in the whole world.

Art Museum

The gallery called “Riga Stock Exchange” includes a huge collection of the best examples of European, Oriental and Ancient Egyptian art. The oldest exhibit dates back to the fifth century BC. A huge collection of works and contemporary artists is presented. The gallery with works by Northern European authors is especially popular among art connoisseurs. Near the Western Gallery there is the Silver Cabinet, where you can enjoy an impressive collection of products made from this noble metal, which came to Riga not only from Europe, but also from the Asian region.

Government Castle

This ancient complex deserves to take its rightful place in the excursion program. Tourists will be amazed by its unique appearance and rich history, which dates back several centuries ago. At one time, it was in his offices that the historical decisions of numerous “occupation” governments of the country were made. Since each new owner of the castle adapted it to their needs, we can contemplate a rather interesting interpretation of its exterior and interior decoration. Today this building is the residence of the head of the Latvian state. But there was also room for several museum galleries.

Bar Black Magic

We recommend finishing the day's program at the Black Magic bar on Kalku Street. It was here that the legendary Riga balsam was invented, the author of which is considered to be the alchemist A. Kuntze. By the way, this drink owes its popularity to Empress Catherine II, who not only appreciated its refined taste, but also allowed the launch of a full-fledged production of herbal tincture. Even today, the bar has a safe containing 24 types of herbs needed to create the drink. And for 20 euros, each visitor can see how it is actually created. The interior decoration of the bar is also attractive - antique lamps swing under the stone arches, and the furniture is made exclusively of wood.

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Let us immediately note that you can not only read or print this guide to Riga, but also download it to your smartphone. And if you look at the interactive map of attractions, then add more to it! Mark the places you would like to see and spread them over several days of your trip. After that, download the free Ever.Travel mobile application and log in to it using the same account as on the website. This way, your plans are synchronized between the web version and your smartphone, and you will receive a personal guide to Riga that can be used even without an Internet connection. Questions? , we will tell you everything!

Flickr, mark-jandejong

So, we begin our walk around Riga from the majestic monument dedicated to the Latvians who died in 1918-1920 in the struggle for Latvian independence. This 42-meter-tall structure is called the Freedom Monument and is located in the city center on Brivibas Boulevard. It was erected in 1935 according to the design of Karlis Zale. The vertical monument is crowned by the figure of a woman holding three stars in her hands. They symbolize the unity of the three historical Latvian provinces: Courland, Livonia and Latgale.

At the foot of the monument there is a multi-tiered composition consisting of 56 sculptures that form 13 groups. Architect Ernests Stalbergs perfectly realized the complex design of Kārlis Zale. The stone reflects the traditions of the Latvian people and captures the most important historical events. Bas-reliefs on the theme of work, family and spirituality are interspersed with images of real and fictional characters that local residents are proud of.

It is interesting that Riga residents call the Freedom Monument by the female name “Milda”. There is a version that a certain lady named Milda Winter posed for the sculptor when he sculpted the key element - a woman with stars in her hands. There is no direct evidence of this, but the rumors were enough for the pompous monument to receive such a simple nickname.

Further, we will not explain in detail how to get from one object to another - it is almost impossible to get lost in the center of Riga. Moreover, the route of this walk is laid out on the map, which you will find in the free Ever.Travel mobile application. Download and look into it during a city tour to understand how to get from one attraction to another. All places are arranged in the order that is most convenient for walking.

Flickr, Peter Knöferl

What to see in Riga? A few more ready-made walking routes:

Many places in Riga have their own unique history, and the Nymph Fountain is a love story that has become legendary. The famous Riga sculptor August Foltz created his masterpiece in 1887, near the building that is now the National Opera and Ballet Theater.

In 1882, a big fire occurred in the then “German” theater, and the building was rebuilt until 1890. August Folz was in charge of decorating the interior; he also conceived the design of a marvelous fountain with a naked nymph, which was to be located in front of the theater. Suddenly, for some reason, work on it began to drag on for a rather indecent period of time. No one could understand what was wrong with the architect, why such a punctual and responsible person suddenly stopped meeting the deadlines.

It turned out that Foltz fell in love with his model, did not want to part with her, and therefore could not finish the work. But as a result, he still completed the construction of the fountain, and the model became his wife. Although there is a less romantic version - supposedly the model was already his wife at the time of creation of the sculpture.

The Nymph Fountain is a statue of a naked girl holding a shell above her head with water splashing from it. Children are sitting at the feet of the nymph, and you can also see a dolphin and a turtle nearby. A very beautiful sculpture, one of the most elegant in Riga, a must-see on any excursion.

Flickr, Janitors

The history of the Latvian National Opera goes back more than a hundred years. This building was built in 1863 as the City German Theater. However, it had to be almost completely rebuilt after a fire in 1885. Formally, the founding date of the Latvian National Opera is considered to be 1919, but some sources claim that it began its work already in 1912 under the direction of Pavuls Jurjans.

The opera building is a magnificent architectural monument of the 19th century; its façade is decorated with elegant sculptures. Luxurious interiors are represented in Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism and Empire styles. You can go around the entire opera on a guided tour, during which you will even go behind the scenes, and the guide will tell you about the history of both the building and the art.

The concert hall can accommodate about one and a half thousand spectators. Of course, it seems to be the most important and ideally adjusted object in the composition of the opera house from the point of view of light and acoustics. After all, everything here is done so that the audience can appreciate the performances of famous artists.

The Latvian National Opera is also known for its excellent ballet school, which has given the world such talents as, for example, Maris Liepa and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Flickr, BeeFortyTwo

And finally, from the more modern areas we find ourselves in the geographical and historical center - the Old Town, locally called “Vecriga”. The entire territory of this part of Riga is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for good reason.

The old town is located on the right bank of the Daugava. It is filled with so many medieval attractions and other historical and cultural sites that one excursion is clearly not enough to get acquainted with everything. Each narrow street is shrouded in an aura of antiquity, each building has its own unique history.

In the Old Town you can visit such iconic places as the Riga Castle, the Three Brothers residential building complex, the Great and Small Guilds, the House of the Blackheads and many other attractions. Above the idyllic roofs of the houses rise the spiers of the famous Riga churches: the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, St. James's Cathedral, decorated on top with golden cockerels - a distinctive feature of the church architecture of the Latvian capital.

Everything here is conducive to leisurely walks and comfortable relaxation. There are numerous cafes and restaurants, museums and souvenir shops. Traffic is prohibited in the Old Town, so it is always quiet and cozy here, and nothing will stop you from enjoying the wonderful atmosphere of ancient Riga.

By the way, the old town of Riga is a great place to choose a hotel. All attractions will be within walking distance from you, and housing prices in the Latvian capital, even in the center, are surprisingly “not too bad”. To search for a hotel, apartment or hostel, it is best to use the website Booking.com.

otzyv.ru, ViknikK

Probably everyone has read the tale of the Brothers Grimm about the Town Musicians of Bremen. And those who haven’t read it have probably seen the popular Soviet cartoon based on this story. Therefore, if, while walking along the quiet streets of Old Riga, you suddenly see a sculptural composition of four animals: a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster, perched on top of each other, you will immediately recognize the characters from the famous fairy tale.

This monument is a gift to Riga from its sister city Bremen. The work of the German sculptor Christ Baumgartel was installed next to St. Peter's Church on Skarnu Street in 1990. That period of history was marked by the destruction of the Berlin Wall, Latvia's independence, and the end of the Cold War between East and West. So, according to the sculptor’s plan, the group of Bremen musicians looking into the hut of the forest robbers, in a humorous form, was supposed to symbolize the fall of the “Iron Curtain”.

Nowadays, few people know about such allegorical subtleties. People just love a funny monument. It is very popular: many people believe that if you rub the donkey’s nose, your wish will come true, and if you reach out and rub the beak of the rooster, which is above everyone else, then not just a simple wish will come true, but your deepest wish.

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livejournal.com, starevil

picasaweb.google, Alexey Vikhrov

All of Riga in one day! Yes, yes, this is real, let's continue our walk!

The Menzendorf House-Museum looks similar in appearance to one of the typical examples of architecture that Riga inherited from the 17th-18th centuries. But once you step inside, the history of the old city comes to life.

This house was built in 1695 by glassmaker Irgen Helms. Later, one of the first pharmacies was located here, which existed for almost 200 years. There is a legend that the famous “Riga Balsam” appeared here, in 1752, thanks to the recipe of the pharmacist Abram Kuntze. Currently, a separate exhibition hall is dedicated to the history of this invention - in the attic.

From 1900 to 1939, the house was owned by the family of August Menzendorf, a wealthy Riga resident, who opened a store here selling groceries, delicacies and coffee. By the way, Menzendorf’s coffee was considered the best in all of Riga at that time!

After many years of neglect, the house began to be restored in 1987 and a luxurious museum was opened here in the early 90s. The restoration work was carried out by the Polish company “PKZ” together with the architect Peter Blum.

The building can be walked around completely - from the basement to the attic. Each room is full of interesting artifacts, interior items, and furniture, which creates a very realistic illusion that you are in the 18th century. All exhibit items are authentic witnesses of those times. We recommend paying special attention to the unique paintings on the walls and ceilings.

They have not forgotten here about the glassmaker Helms, the first owner of the building: today, in the Menzendorf House there is a real glass workshop, where you can see how glass is made and even take part in the process of its production.

Flickr, globetrotter_rodrigo

The House of the Blackheads, one of the most famous architectural monuments of the capital of Latvia, was literally restored from oblivion only in the 1990s, to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Riga. Before that, it was a ruin, into which a beautiful building was turned as a result of German artillery shelling in 1941.

The meticulously restored House of the Blackheads now attracts visitors not only with its appearance, but also with its excellent interiors, which fascinate with their beauty and luxury. The building hosts numerous exhibitions and hosts many special events, both official and for private individuals. Since September 2012, while restoration work is being carried out at Riga Castle, this house has been the residence of the President.

This building was built in the first half of the 14th century for the famous and extremely influential military-trading guild of the Blackheads, which existed until 1940, but in the form of a secular organization. By the way, the name of this brotherhood is not associated with someone’s last name, but with Saint Mauritius, who was depicted on their coat of arms with a black head.

The architectural style of the House of the Blackheads, as we see it now, was formed in the 17th century, after one of the major reconstructions. The original design is unfortunately unknown. Over the many centuries of its history, the House has been repeatedly modified and supplemented with new elements. For example, in 1886, a sculptural group appeared on the façade, symbolizing Unity, the Universe, Neptune and Mercury.

Flickr, Doctor Casino

The history of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia began in 1993. Initially, it was, and remains to this day, a private non-governmental structure - this is emphasized by its organizers, claiming that the museum is politically and financially independent. It exists solely on the money of sponsors and patrons.

The initiator of the creation of this museum was the famous historian, professor at the University of Wisconsin Paulis Lazda, who was supported by many other Latvian scientists, as well as private individuals.

The purpose of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia is, first of all, to display the life of Latvians who suffered from Nazi terror during the Great Patriotic War, as well as from the Soviet regime in 1945-1991.

The museum is divided into several sections, each of which shows certain milestones in the history of Latvia. Here you can find information about the struggle of the Latvian people for independence until it was achieved in 1991. The museum has collected a large number of documents and photographs on this topic.

Since its opening, the museum has evoked mixed responses from the Russian public. In particular, equating Stalin with Hitler and the Soviet regime with the German occupation raises many questions.

Flickr, fveronesi1

The very heart of Riga is the Town Hall Square, where all the tourists flock, and the townspeople themselves are not averse to spending an hour or two here in their free time. After the shelling of 1941, it was completely restored and is now a wonderful holiday destination.

This was once the main market square of Riga. Gradually it was built up with elegant examples of architecture, which were also restored to their original form.

From the dark depths of the Middle Ages, Riga Town Hall Square gained an unfavorable reputation as a place of brutal executions. From the bright pages of history, it is worth mentioning that it was here that the world's first Christmas tree was installed more than 500 years ago.

There is a statue of Roland in the center of Town Hall Square. This rather famous commander, the nephew of Charlemagne, who became famous for his political tolerance and respect for the population of the lands he conquered. The monument was erected in 1897, but now the square is decorated with a copy of it. The original is kept in the museum collection of St. Peter's Church.

Flickr, Alex Segre

In the 14th century, Town Hall Square was the central place of Riga. All significant events for the city were held here - from executions to holidays. And, like in any European city, a town hall was built here, in which the Riga City Hall met, and once a year, from its balcony, decrees and laws were read out to the townspeople. Then, however, the square was not the Town Hall, but simply a nameless shopping area.

The first administration building died in fire, presumably from the order's troops. We can only judge what the second town hall looked like from old pictures. They depict a Gothic building under a high roof. This building also failed to survive the war - it was bombed by Peter’s troops at the beginning of the 18th century.

Several decades later, the town hall was restored, decorated in the style of classicism with baroque elements. In the second half of the 19th century, according to the design of the famous architect Johann Felsko, the silhouette of the building underwent further changes - a third floor was added, and in general the outlines were slightly simplified, giving the town hall a certain elegance.

Before World War II, the largest city library was based in Riga Town Hall. The outbreak of hostilities brought catastrophic destruction: the town hall, like many other memorable buildings, was left in ruins. A new project, implemented for the 800th anniversary of Riga, made it possible to restore the magnificent structure, which opened in 2003. Currently, the Riga City Council sits here.

Flickr, ritsch48

You don't have to go to London's Baker Street to visit Sherlock Holmes. The Holmes we all know so well, played by Vasily Livanov, lived with Dr. Watson in Riga, on Jauniela Street.

This place is probably the most recognizable for residents of the former Soviet Union, because it was here that most films about foreign countries were filmed. Riga, like a real actress, played the roles of London, New York, Bern, Paris and many other cities.

In general, not very remarkable in itself, Jauniela Street first appeared in the 16th century, near the Dome Cathedral, and during its existence it changed its name a couple of times until it became a “New” street, starting from Dome Square.

Its length is only 225 meters, but its size does not in any way affect its cult significance. In addition to Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson, the legendary Stirlitz and Pleischner from “Seventeen Moments of Spring” also visited here. The small hotel "Eustace" and the restaurant "Alex" remind us of this even today.

The architecture here has hardly changed since then, so it’s definitely worth visiting this place, simply created for pleasant nostalgia for “our” Baker Street and Flower Street.

Flickr, Khraim The Cheetah

The Dome Cathedral in Riga is a significant architectural landmark not only of the capital, but throughout Latvia. Its construction began in the 13th century and continued for several centuries, resulting in several transformations of the project with transitions from style to style. As a result, the grandiose cathedral, on which entire generations of architects and builders worked, was completed only in the 18th century.

The initial design was discreet and laconic, leaning towards the Romanesque style. At the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries, the volume of the building was increased by adding naves and chapels, a little height was added due to the high octagonal spire - and the Dome Cathedral became a basilica with a Gothic spire.

In the 18th century, after the siege of Riga by Russian troops, the temple was damaged and had to be restored. A little later, the Gothic spire was demolished, replacing it with a Baroque one. The Dome Cathedral still exists in this form, except for minor changes.

But this temple is known not only for its architecture. It houses a unique organ made by the German company E.F. Walcker & Co, installed 1883-1884. The height of the instrument is 25 meters, it contains about seven thousand pipes. The organ is decorated with decorative carvings from the 16th-17th centuries. Now it is considered the largest in the Baltic states and the former USSR, and at the time of installation it was the largest in the world.

Flickr, Fearless Fred

Dome Square in Old Riga appeared in the city relatively recently - in the 1860-80s. Of course, it was named after the Dome Cathedral, which began to be built back in the 13th century.

The square was created with the sole purpose of providing better access to the temple and making it more visible. To achieve this, several groups of ancient houses had to be sacrificed, but the residents of Riga received a rather large and beautiful area, the size of which today exceeds 9 thousand square meters - an indecent amount for the compact Old Riga.

The architectural ensemble of Dome Square is mainly formed by the Riga Stock Exchange and the Latvian Radio building. Both of them appeared at the beginning of the 19th century and are representative examples of classicism with Baroque elements. Many of the local buildings had to be restored after an aerial bomb hit the center of the square in 1944.

Due to its size, Dome Square is often used for various festive events. There is enough space to set up a large stage or hold some kind of thematic festival.

Also on the square there is a point from which three golden cockerels can be seen at the same time, decorating the tops of ancient Riga churches.

Flickr, christeldevelay

The Museum of Foreign Art in Riga, known as the Riga Exchange, introduces visitors to a magnificent collection of Western European, Eastern and Ancient Egyptian art, from the fifth millennium BC to the present.

The largest Latvian museum of its kind is located in the famous Riga Stock Exchange building, which adorns Dome Square. The congregation moved here in 1920, and has occupied it ever since, with the exception of periods of restoration of the historical building.

The Riga Stock Exchange Art Museum is divided into several thematic sections, the exhibitions of which are neatly systematized. The pride of the museum’s collection is Northern European painting of the 17th century, which can be seen in the art gallery.

The Western Gallery will introduce you to delightful examples of the collection of Western European porcelain from the 18th to 20th centuries, including valuable Meissen porcelain. The decoration of these rooms is made in German style with luxurious wallpaper, clocks, furniture, parquet floors and gilded chandeliers.

Next to the Western Gallery is the Silver Cabinet, which houses a small selection of silverware. In the spacious and bright Oriental Galleries you will see art from Japan, China and other Asian countries, mainly from the 19th century.

Flickr, Frans.Sellies

On Malaya Zamkova Street in Old Riga you can see three ancient houses, their side walls pressed closely against each other. These buildings are now considered a single architectural composition, despite the fact that they were built at different times and have different styles.

They call them “Three Brothers”, which echoes the similar Tallinn “Three Sisters”: in the Estonian capital there are also three “fused” buildings of the 14th century.

The Riga “brothers” are a visual aid to the evolution of residential building construction, from the 15th to the 18th centuries. The elder brother, also called “white” because of the color of the walls, appeared on Maza Pils street in 1490. Its architectural style is Gothic with Renaissance elements, traditional for the Middle Ages.

The middle brother doesn't have a nickname, he's just "middle" because he's in the middle. His date of birth is 1646, the era of the decline of Dutch mannerism, which was becoming less and less common in more respectable buildings, but was still relevant for small private buildings.

The younger brother, the smallest in both age and size, is called “green” because of his pale green color. The influence of the Baroque can be felt in its forms - this is especially noticeable if you look at the characteristic curved Baroque gable.

"Three Brothers" was restored in the 1950s according to the design of Peteres Saulitis. At the same time, the back rooms and courtyards of the houses were combined.

One of the main Catholic churches in Riga - the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows - appeared on Castle Square in the form that we know, spontaneously and unexpectedly. In the 1760s, an ordinary modest church was erected on this site, and for some time the townspeople were, if not happy, then satisfied.

Only Archduke Joseph II of Austria was dissatisfied, who in 1780 came to Riga on a visit, visited, as expected, the temple and was indignant at the poverty of its decoration and the low quality of construction work. Without thinking twice, he allocated a decent amount of money for the construction of a new church building.

His example was followed by other royalty, including the King of Poland and the future Emperor of Russia Paul I, as well as many parishioners from lower classes. A new church was built and consecrated in the name of Our Lady of Sorrows in 1785.

The final appearance of the temple was formed in the second half of the 19th century, when, under the leadership of the now famous, but then still very young architect Johann Felsko, the premises were expanded on the northern facade, and a new gate tower was built - stone instead of the old wooden one. It is interesting that this restructuring was made after the dissatisfaction of the crowned person: Emperor Nicholas I considered that the church was too narrow.

The ancient architectural complex of Riga Castle attracts attention not only with its history, but also with its unique style, which has been formed over many centuries. Here at different times different governments were located: Livonians, Poles, then Swedes, and even later – Russians. Currently, the castle is considered the residence of the President of Latvia, but since restoration work is currently underway here, the head of the country temporarily moved to the House of the Blackheads in 2012.

The history of Riga Castle dates back to the beginning of the 14th century. It was built on the banks of the Daugava so that ships heading to the port could be viewed. At the end of the 15th century, during one of the conflicts between the residents of Riga and the Livonians, the castle was destroyed. It was restored only in the first half of the 16th century.

The constant change of rulers of the city could not but lead to a peculiar eclecticism in the architecture of the castle. Everyone rebuilt it to suit their needs. For example, during the reign of the Russian Governor-General of Livonia, part of the complex was allocated for a prison.

In addition to the President, Riga Castle houses the Latvian National History Museum, the Museum of Literature and the Museum of Foreign Art. Unfortunately, in 2013 there was a fire that destroyed several thousand unique exhibits; More than 3 thousand square meters of territory burned out. It is expected that restoration work will be completed by 2015.

Flickr, HBarrison

The Cathedral of St. James is the main Catholic church in Latvia. It appeared in Riga in the 13th century, at the same time as the Dome Cathedral and St. Peter's Church. However, its architecture is noticeably simpler than its peers, since it was intended not for the city, but for a rural parish. However, the Gothic pyramidal spire of this temple is better preserved than the others.

The main construction of the Cathedral of St. James was completed by the beginning of the 14th century. Initially, it was given the early Gothic style. Later, the temple was rebuilt several times, which is not surprising - after all, it is already more than seven centuries old. He survived wars, changes of governments, and conflicts between faiths.

In the 16th century, the cathedral became the first Latvian Lutheran church, but not for long: in 1582 it again passed to the Catholics, even later - to the Jesuits, and during Swedish rule in the 17th century - again to the Lutherans. During the Napoleonic wars there was even a food warehouse here. The cathedral was finally given to Catholics in 1923.

The interior of the temple is eclectic. Elements characteristic of different eras were constantly added here. The pulpit, made of rare mahogany, was installed in 1810. The new organ appeared in 1913. The stained glass windows, made in the Art Nouveau style and dating back to 1902, look very interesting.

The 80-meter tower of St. James Cathedral is decorated with a golden cockerel, traditional for Riga churches.

livejournal.com, starevil

The monument to those who died on the barricades in 1991 is made in the form of a symbolic bonfire. The author of the project, Ojars Feldbergs, did not invent unnecessary forms; the monument is strict and symbolic, as befits a memorial sign for tragic events.

January 20, 1991 is a day that is inscribed in the history of Latvia in red letters and stained with the blood of 5 people who laid down their lives in the name of freedom of the country.

In honor of the dead, wounded and hundreds of thousands of those who defended the streets of Riga around the clock in the cold January of 1991, this day is called the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of the Barricades.

Throughout January, celebrations are held in Latvia in memory of the sad events of those times; funeral bonfires are lit in all squares, around which people gather. The pyramidal bonfire became a symbol of the events at the barricades, because when the protesters stood on the streets of the capital in 1991, it was very cold and the same bonfires were burning everywhere, where freedom fighters were warming themselves. More than half a million people took to the streets then, many even came from villages with their own agricultural machinery, for lack of a car.

The purpose of the confrontation was to give the Lithuanians time to form their own government, legislative branch, police force and escape from the control of the USSR.

On the night of January 19-20, after provocative actions by riot police, a shootout began; riot police captured the suspected instigators of the shooting and wanted to take them to the pro-government prosecutor's office. By the time the convoy arrived in the city, the protesters had erected barricades near the Ministry of Internal Affairs building and greeted the vehicles with heavy fire. A brutal shootout began, during which 5 people were killed and 8 were wounded.

Flickr, joeriksson

The Swedish Gate in Riga appeared as an alternative to the main entrance to the city. In the 17th century, construction of the fortress walls was actively underway, and some enterprising residents independently made passages in the walls so as not to travel around half the city and not pay taxes for transporting goods.

Perhaps this was done with the permission of the city authorities, who still had a share from the owners of houses with gates. They were locked at night and opened only during daylight hours. Of the eight such gates located on the territory of Riga, only one has survived to this day.

There are no ancient places without a legend. The Swedish Gate also has a mystical and dark history. Once upon a time, a young girl ran through the gate at night to see her lover, a Swedish soldier. And when she talked to him about the wedding, he got scared and betrayed her. The girl appeared before the city court and was walled up in the wall as punishment for forbidden love. Since then, in the doorway at night you can hear the crying of a girl and the laughter of a vile soldier.

The Swedish Gate has been reconstructed several times. In the 1920s, 50s and 80s, many lost Baroque elements were recreated. In addition, the three buildings were combined into a single architectural complex. Nowadays there is a library, a studio and the Union of Architects located here.

Flickr, Bernt Rostad

The longest building in Riga appeared in the second half of the 18th century. They became the Yakovlevsky barracks, built to house Russian soldiers. Previously, there were also barracks on this site, but for Swedish soldiers, who had previously been housed for a long time in simple residential buildings, which was not convenient for either the residents of Riga or the subjects of Charles XI.

When Riga was captured by Russian troops, the issue of resettling the garrison was resolved by itself, only a little later the dilapidated Swedish barracks were rebuilt. They got their name from the Yakovlevsky bastion, which was located nearby.

Thanks to the versatility of the premises, various organizations managed to visit the barracks: a statistical bureau, a school, a labor exchange, and in Soviet times, a Military Projects Bureau and a flight school. Major repairs and restoration of the 237-meter building took place in 1995-97 and cost $6 million.

Currently, the Yakovlevsky barracks belong to commercial structures. There are various shops, beauty salons, bank branches, as well as several very cozy cafes where you can have a pleasant time with a cup of coffee, while getting to know this interesting architectural monument in the style of Dutch classicism.

geolocation.ws, Toms Grinbergs

The medieval Riga fortress was once framed by 28 towers. The only surviving one is Porokhovaya, built at the beginning of the 14th century. Then it was also called Peschanaya, as it protected the main entrance to the city from the Great Sandy Road (modern Smilshu Street).

During the Swedish-Polish War, gunpowder was stored in the tower, which is how it received a new name. The Swedish army thoroughly damaged the fortification and in 1650 it had to be restored. As a result, the height of the tower was more than 25 meters, and the thickness of the walls was 2.5 meters.

After this, the building withstood all subsequent assaults on Riga, including the capture of the Latvian capital in 1710 by the troops of Peter I, in memory of whom nine cast-iron cannonballs are still “kept” in the walls of the tower.

For almost two centuries, the tower was empty and dilapidated, and at the end of the 19th century it was rented out to private individuals, who restored the interiors, organized a beer hall, a fencing hall and dance halls.

Since the 1920s, a military museum has been located in the Powder Tower, which was transformed during Soviet times into the Museum of the Revolution. Today, the building again belongs to the Latvian War Museum, whose exhibitions introduce visitors to the military-political history of the country in the 20th century.

Flickr, Tania Ho

The house with cats could have remained one of the many examples of Art Nouveau in the architectural ensemble of Old Riga, if not for its special history. It was erected at the beginning of the 20th century by order of a wealthy local resident named Blumer. The building turned out, of course, elegant and beautiful - the architect Friedrich Scheffel worked on its construction.

However, the ambitious Blumer acted in an original way - on the roof of the house he placed sculptures of black cats with arched backs and raised tails, turning their backs towards the building of the Great Merchant Guild. With this action, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the refusal to be accepted into the community where he passionately wanted to go. After numerous disputes and frictions, Blumer was finally accepted into the company of the Riga rich, and the cats were turned in a “decent” direction. Today they still decorate the building, being one of the calling cards and symbols of the Latvian capital.

Above the facade of the house there is a sculpture of an eagle with outstretched wings. The entrance is decorated with floral decorations characteristic of the Art Nouveau style.

Currently, on the ground floor of the House with Cats there is a jazz restaurant and casino called “Black Cat”.

At the intersection of Kaleju, Zirgu and Amatu streets in Old Riga there is the Great Guild building - one of the oldest and most interesting in the city. Nowadays the concert hall of the Latvian Philharmonic is located here. You can attend one of the concerts to enjoy the wonderful harmony of music and architecture.

The Great Guild building begins its official history back in the 14th century, although there are suggestions that back in the 13th century there was a structure on this site adjacent to the Riga fortress wall. Over many centuries, the building was rebuilt several times depending on the needs of the merchant class.

In all of Latvia, only Riga merchants had the right to sell goods abroad, so the local Guild of St. Mary or the Great Guild, consisting mainly of Germans, was considered a very authoritative organization.

The first building of the Great Guild, two-story, with a late Baroque superstructure, was demolished in 1853. In its place, a new one was built - in the Gothic style, larger in size and more modern. However, unique rooms remained untouched - the Münster Chambers and the Fireplace Hall.

The next restructuring affected the Great Guild building in 1963, when it was adapted into a concert hall. Nowadays, this magnificent architectural monument pleases the eye both with its appearance and with its original interiors.

Flickr, missyjessie

The Small Guild is located in Old Riga exactly opposite the Big Guild. This beautiful building in the form in which we know it now appeared in the city in 1866.

Nowadays, it is no longer members of the merchant guild that sit here, but the Riga Center for Culture and Folk Art, under whose auspices concerts, conferences, festive and official celebrations are held. The center houses arts and crafts and theatrical art studios, and folklore groups perform.

The Small Guild, also known as the Guild of St. James, was founded in the 14th century and was a union of artisans, as opposed to the Great Guild of St. Mary, which accepted merchants. The guilds were not very friendly with each other - entry into the building of “competitors” was, if not prohibited, then categorically undesirable.

In the second half of the 19th century, the outdated two-story building of the Small Guild, which had stood for more than 500 years, was rebuilt according to the design of the architect Johann Felsko.

The interiors of the Small Guild deserve special attention. Hanoverian stained glass windows are installed in the windows, and the floor is covered with terracotta mosaic tiles. A distinctive feature of the building is the façade tower, decorated with the image of St. John with a lamb, the patron saint of artisans.

Flickr, infra_milk

This legendary bar is located in an old building on Kalku Street. Previously, this place was the pharmacy of Abraham Kunze, the same alchemist who created the Riga Balsam. Perhaps it would have remained a little-known drug, but chance helped.

In 1789, Russian Empress Catherine II stayed in Riga. She felt unwell and was advised to visit Dr. Kunze's pharmacy. Abraham was not at a loss and offered the empress his miracle herbal balm. Catherine liked its action so much that she allowed it to be officially released.

As local legend has it, even during renovations the room smelled of mint, lavender, cinnamon and rosemary. This magical aroma is present here and now. The cafe has a safe with 24 types of herbs that are part of everyone's favorite drink. For 20 euros you can even watch how it is prepared, and at the same time get a glass of balm, a cup of coffee, nuts and surprise sweets.

The display window and interior of the bar are made in the spirit of antiquity. Forged lamps hang under the stone arches, and there is massive wooden furniture all around. The waitresses are dressed in appropriate mid-18th century attire, giving the place a unique flavor. On the shelves you can see original books of the 18th century, glass vessels from the laboratory and various copper utensils. Visitors to the bar can purchase souvenirs and, of course, an original bottle of Riga Balsam, or even two.

This concludes our walk around the city. We hope that we have fully answered the question “What to see in Riga in one day” :) And we remind you that you will find this route on the interactive map of attractions, where you can add it to your favorites, shorten it, or vice versa, add it. And then synchronize with the free Ever.Travel mobile application and walk around the city without carrying bulky books and maps. For more information on how convenient it is to travel this way,

Riga is the capital of Latvia and the largest city in the Baltic states (just over 600 thousand people). The city took its name from the Riga River that once flowed in this place, which was later filled up. From 1150 Various traders stopped near the Riga River, gradually forming a small settlement. In 1201, the German priest Albert, who arrived in these places from the city of Bremen, built the first stone church, which served as a signal for the founding of the city.

Having visited Riga several times, we came to the conclusion that it is very difficult to walk around the Old Town without a clear plan: the streets are incredibly confused and winding, there is a constant temptation to turn somewhere, after which you end up in a place where you have already been, it seems like you are wasting time. In addition, it is very disappointing to return home and find that some of the attractions were overlooked. Having filled my own teeth, the idea came up to write a tourist route of Old Riga covering all the main attractions.

Thanks to its interesting architecture and well-kept streets, Riga can be visited at any time of the year. If you have little time, but a lot of desire to get to know the Old Town of Riga as fully as possible, then this is the place for you!

The tourist route is designed in a circle, so you can enter the Old Town of Riga from any convenient point and simply start following the instructions in the article.

Old town of Riga

Old Town of Riga is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List for its “outstanding universal value”, the unique quality and quantity of Art Nouveau architectural monuments in the world, which have preserved their historical appearance relatively unchanged, and for the wooden architecture of the 19th century.

It is important to note that the bus and railway stations are located in close proximity to the Old Town; you just need to cross the street and you can already enjoy the unusual medieval houses!

We will start our walk from the Town Hall Square, from where several main attractions open up at once.

Town Hall

The first Town Hall in Riga was built in 1226 after the city won the right to independent politics and an independent court. The building was built to house the formed body of the city council. Since then, the Town Hall has been rebuilt and expanded several times. The modern Town Hall is a copy restored in 2003 after the war. Now the Riga City Council is located in the Town Hall building.

House of the Blackheads

Opposite the Town Hall stands the most beautiful building in Riga - the House of the Blackheads. It was built in the 14th century by a guild of artisans and was then called the New House. The strange name (House of the Blackheads) stuck after the building began to be rented in 1477 by a guild of merchants who traveled to neighboring and distant countries to buy goods. It was dangerous to purchase and deliver goods to Riga at that time, so only young and unmarried men, mostly foreigners, were recruited into the guild. By and large, this trade guild was more like an army with a charter, a hierarchy, they even had their own fleet, thanks to which the merchants successfully fought off robbers and pirates. Initially, the patron of the guild was St. George (the patron of knights and warriors), but later the merchants chose the black St. Mauritius (also the patron of knights), hence the guild was called the Guild of the Blackheads, and the building - the House of the Blackheads. By the way, Saint Mauritius has never been to Riga.

After the Second World War, the House of the Blackheads had to be completely restored; work lasted until 2000.

From the Town Hall Square you can clearly see the towering spire of St. Peter's Cathedral, let's go straight to it!

Menzendorf House

On the way we turn behind the House of the Blackheads to the Menzendorf House.

This building is a 17th-century architectural monument, slightly lopsided with different windows and a winch on the roof. Such winches were used to lift heavy loads to the upper floors. Now this house houses a museum with a permanent exhibition of the daily life and everyday life of Riga residents. But originally it was a residential building with a store on the ground floor. The second oldest pharmacy in Riga was located here. According to legend, it was here in 1752 that the Riga pharmacist Abraham Kunze first prepared the famous Riga balsam.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

St. Peter's Cathedral is the oldest church in Riga. The first mention of the cathedral dates back to 1209. St. Peter's Cathedral was built at the expense of the townspeople and for the townspeople; there was even a city school attached to the church. From 1408 to 1473 The cathedral was restored, its altar part was rebuilt, and in the same years the cathedral acquired a bell tower. In the 17th century, the cathedral was decorated with three portals and a Gothic spire on the tower.

After the Second World War, the cathedral essentially lay in ruins; restoration and restoration work was completed only in 1983.

Despite the fact that the cathedral has now been transferred to the Lutheran Church, entrance to it is paid - 9 € for an adult. This price includes a tour of the church and a climb to the observation deck, which offers views of the entire historical center of Riga. The height of the tower is 123.25 meters. Until the appearance of the TV tower in 1985, St. Peter's Cathedral remained the tallest in the city.

Monument to the Bremen Town Musicians

We go behind St. Peter's Cathedral and find ourselves in a very cozy courtyard, where a monument to the Bremen Town Musicians is erected.

In 1990, this monument was presented to Riga by the German sister city of Bremen, where the founder of Riga himself was from. Be sure to make a wish and rub the nose of some animal; the higher you can reach, the more your innermost wish will come true!

St. John's Church

After the monument to the Bremen Town Musicians, we look up at the Church of St. John. The church began its history in 1234 with a small wooden chapel. In the 13th and 15th centuries, the already stone church of St. John was destroyed by city residents as part of a popular uprising. At the beginning of the 16th century, the church was rebuilt with a remarkable stepped pediment. Now the church is a monument of medieval church architecture; there is a Lutheran church in it.

House Kaleju iela, 23

We walk along the Church of St. John and turn left, go to the crossroads and see on the corner a very interesting building from 1903 in the Art Nouveau style. Its portal is decorated with flowers, chestnut trees and the sun.

John's Compound

We turn left again and dive into the arch of the brick wall.

This place is called St. John's Compound, as it is actually located in the courtyard of the Church of St. John. Until 1234, there was a castle of the Bishop of Riga, adjacent to the castle of the Order of the Sword, then this territory passed to the Dominican Order, and later St. John's Metochion became city property. Only two parts of the fortress wall have survived to this day.

Courtyard of the Convention

Through the arch we pass into the courtyard of the Convention - one of the oldest city blocks of Riga - this is another attraction of the city. If the gate is closed, then the Convention courtyard can be accessed from neighboring streets.

The first castle of the Order of the Sword in Riga once stood on this site. The houses and courtyards adjacent to the castle were called the Courtyard of the Convention. At the end of the 13th century, dissatisfied Riga residents destroyed the castle. Since 1488, there was a monastery of the Tertiaries here. Since 1554, only an orphanage, residential buildings and warehouses have remained in the former monastery. Over the following centuries, the Convention courtyard was burned and rebuilt many times. By the beginning of the 18th century, a modern layout had developed.

We go deeper into the courtyard and see a yellow building from the 18th century. If you don’t know, you can pass by and not even notice that half the windows on this house are painted! It turns out that at the beginning of the 18th century, when Riga was part of the Russian Empire, a window tax was introduced, so many enterprising homeowners painted windows: both the house looks good and there is no need to pay the tax. And this is far from the only building in Riga with painted windows.

Black Riga balsam

We pass right through the Convention Courtyard and find ourselves on Kalku iela street directly to the front entrance of the old Riga pharmacy, which is no longer a pharmacy, but a bar-shop called “Riga Black Magic Bar”. Here you can buy the famous black Riga balsam, however, it can also be bought in a regular store.

As legend has it, in the middle of the 18th century, the Riga pharmacist Abraham Kunze, based on an ancient recipe for a vodka infusion of medicinal herbs, prepared a “miracle balm”, which, under the name “Kuntze’s Balm,” was offered as a medicine to the Russian Empress Catherine II, who suffered from colic. Having appreciated the healing properties of the balm, Catherine II granted Kunze the privilege to make it.

Livov Square

We turn right and find ourselves on Livu Square (Līvu laukums), from where several important sights of Riga open, such as the theater named after. Chekhov, Big Guild, Small Guild and House with Cats.

Livov Square was formed in 1950 after the demolition of urban buildings destroyed during the Second World War; in 1974, the square was reconstructed, adding places for recreation. In the summer, you can see lawns with the image of waves, since this is where the very river Riga, after which the city was named, once flowed. In winter, you can admire the wavy benches.

Riga Russian Theater named after. Chekhov

No, not Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, but his nephew Mikhail Alexandrovich Chekhov. The Russian Theater in Riga appeared in 1883 and until 1902 it performed in a building that belonged to the joint-stock company “Beehive”. Later the troupe began working in its own building. All performances in this theater are performed only in Russian.

Gingerbread houses from the 17th century

A small family of big-eyed houses from the 17th century has been preserved on Livov Square; they are also called “gingerbread houses of old Riga.” These houses were built by rich merchants as their mansions; their peculiarity is the extension of one house to another

Now the first floors of these houses are occupied by restaurants, and the upper floors by offices.

Small Guild

The Small Guild is an organization of Riga artisans founded in 1226. It was also called the Guild of St. John. Craftsmen who were not members of the Small Guild were deprived of the right to claim the title of guild master - real discrimination.

The first building of the Small Guild was built in the 1210s. Then the building was rebuilt many times. The current building dates back to the mid-19th century and is made in the English Neo-Gothic style. The building of the Small Guild is very reminiscent of a miniature English castle.

Now the building houses the Small Guild Museum, a craft school, and constantly hosts concerts, balls and other events.

Big Guild

The Great Guild is an organization of Riga merchants, also called the Guild of St. Mary. The name “Big Guild” appeared in contrast to the “Small Guild”, since the building of wealthy merchants looked more impressive.

In the house of the Great Guild, meetings were held, transactions were concluded and meetings with out-of-town merchants, as well as holidays and banquets. The meeting hall was located on the top floor of the building and was built with the best possible acoustics, thanks to which the Philharmonic is now located in this building.

Only representatives of German nationality could become members of the Great Guild, and all transactions and sales of foreign merchants in Riga had to go through the Great Guild.

House of Black Cats

The House of Black Cats (or Cat House) was built in 1909 and belonged to the Latvian merchant Blumer, who really wanted to join the Great Guild. But he was not accepted there, because only Germans were members of the guild. Then Blumer ordered two cats to be made and placed them on each tower of his apartment building, turning their tails towards the building of the Great Guild. Later, when the merchant was finally accepted into the Great Guild, he turned around one cat. Now both black cats are each looking in their own direction, and the house of the Black Cats has turned into one of the main attractions and calling card of Riga.

Powder Tower

We continue walking along Meistaru ilea street and through a row of houses we come across the Powder Tower - the only surviving tower of the fortress wall (there were 28 of them in total).

Back in the 17th century, several cannonballs were stuck in the wall of the tower; you can try to find them. Since the creation of the tower (since the 1330s), it has been constantly under fire, it was rebuilt and renamed several times. During the Russian Empire, the entire fortress wall and other 27 towers were demolished, leaving the Powder Tower as a museum exhibit. However, the tower was in disrepair and gradually collapsed, until in 1892 it was handed over to Riga students, who promised to restore the tower at their own expense. The students received part of the money from the sold pigeon droppings that had accumulated in the tower over decades, and invested the rest from their own pockets. Together they organized a fencing hall, several dance halls and a beer hall. After the First World War, the tower housed the Museum of the Latvian Rifle Regiments, the Military Museum, the Nakhimov Naval School, the Museum of the October Revolution and, finally, the Military Museum of Latvia.

Street Smilšu iela

Smilšu iela street is rich in beautiful houses in the Art Nouveau style. While we walk along it to the next attraction, we admire the peacocks and naked figures.

In total, there are about 800 Art Nouveau houses in Riga (due to which the city was included in the UNESCO heritage list), all of these houses with individual stucco were built before the First World War. The cost of a beautiful building facade could reach half the cost of the entire house.

Both of these houses were built in 1902.

Three brothers

Turn right onto Jēkaba ​​iela street, and then left onto Mazā Pils iela street, the Three Brothers will be waiting for you there.

“Three Brothers” is a complex of preserved medieval houses in Riga. Each of the "brothers" has their own name. “White Brother” is the oldest, it was built around 1490. "Middle Brother" was built in 1646. “Green Brother” is the youngest and was built at the end of the 17th century.

Now the Latvian Museum of Architecture is located here.

Cathedral of St. James

The Cathedral of St. James and the Church of Mary Magdalene are also located here.

St. James's Cathedral is the main Catholic church in Latvia and the fourth largest church in Riga. The church was built in 1225 and was at that time located outside the medieval city of Riga, for which it was nicknamed “the most famous rural church in Latvia.”

A little later, a convent was built nearby, with the Church of Mary Magdalene as its landmark. The monastery was also called the monastery of the singing virgins - the unmarried daughters of rich townspeople and landowners, as well as their widows, were kept there.

Riga Castle

We continue to move along Mazā Pils iela street and go out to the outskirts of the Old Town of Riga, to the Riga Castle. By the way, Mazā Pils iela is translated as Little Castle Street.

Remember, you read about the first castle of the Livonian Order of the Sword, destroyed in the center of Riga. It was destroyed by the city residents themselves as a sign of discontent and protest. After the truce, the people of Riga promised to restore the castle and in 1330 they built a new one, but not in the city center, but on the banks of the Duagava. Strategically, the location was very convenient; from here it was possible to view all the ships on the river. The truce with the townspeople did not last long, and in 1484 the Riga residents again destroyed the castle; only one tower remained standing. After the peace agreement, the inhabitants of Riga again restored the fortifications in 1497-1515.

After the knights, Polish, Swedish and Russian governors were stationed in the castle, each of them completed the construction of the castle to their own taste. For some time the castle was used as a prison. Now the castle has been declared the residence of the President of Latvia, and there are also several museums here.

Church of Our Lady of Sorrows

Having walked around the castle and taken a good look at it, we move on to inspecting the pale blue Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, which is located next to the Riga Castle.

The Church of Our Lady of Sorrows is a Catholic church located on the territory of Castle Square. It was built in the second half of the 18th century. It is interesting that after the completion of construction, the Austrian Archduke Joseph II came to Riga, expressing his dissatisfaction with the unimpressive appearance of the palace church, after which funds were allocated and the church was rebuilt to its current size.

English Church of the Holy Redeemer

Across the house is the English Church of St. Redeemer. This is an Anglican parish church built between 1855 and 1859. The church was built for British sailors. All building materials, and even the soil for the foundation, were brought from Great Britain.

Among Riga residents, this church is famous for the fact that in July 2005 it hosted the first gay service in the history of Latvia.

The Dome Cathedral

And now, finally, we begin to explore the most important attraction of Riga - the Dome Cathedral, for which we go deeper into the Old Town along Pils iela street and end up at Dome Square - the largest in Riga.

There are also many wonderful Art Nouveau houses here, so take your time to leave the square and take a good look at everything.

The Dome Cathedral, the main temple of Riga, is the largest medieval temple in the Baltic countries. Translated it means “House of God.” The cathedral was founded in 1211 as the residence of the founder of Riga, priest Albert. Construction took a very long time, and only by 1270 was it possible to complete the cathedral in general terms. In 1547, the cathedral was engulfed in fire, as a result of which the original decoration of the church was lost. Construction continued, and instead of two planned towers, only one was built in the center of the facade. In 1595, the tower was completed with a wooden spire, which surpassed even the spire of St. Peter's Cathedral in height. However, due to frequent repairs, in 1766 the wooden spire was replaced by a low domed tower with a cockerel.

The Dome Cathedral has many historical and artistic values. The main value of the Dome Cathedral is the organ. At the time of construction of the cathedral, it was the largest organ in the world with a height of 25 meters. If you are lucky, go to an organ concert in the Dome Cathedral, but not the daily one at noon, but the evening one, it lasts for an hour, and the ticket price is the same - from 10 €. Just visiting the cathedral without a concert costs 3€.

Sherlock Holmes in Riga

Now we are transported to London in the 1890s. We go behind the Dome Cathedral from the side without the tower (on Jauniela Street) and, voila, we are on Baker Street!

It was here that the famous London detectives, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, lived and walked. The apartment at Baker street 221b is located in a small nook behind the red one-story house on the left. Surprisingly, there is no sign or even a hint of Sherlock Holmes on the house (probably because the film was shot by Russians), which is why many tourists pass by this nook.

"17 moments of spring" in Riga

After walking around London, we are transported to Switzerland to Stirlitz’s safe house. It is enough to turn your head in the other direction, and now you are already on the Flower Street of the city of Bern from the movie “17 Moments of Spring”. It was from the window of this house that Professor Pleischner jumped out after swallowing an ampoule of poison. Now there is a hotel whose name is the same as Stirlitz’s pseudonym, with which he signed his coded messages from Berlin to Moscow.

Restaurant 1221

Walking in the footsteps of Sherlock Holmes and Stirlitz, you have probably already noticed and, perhaps, even photographed a very colorful house with cows. This is a restaurant, you don't have to go into it.

Rozena iela – the narrowest street in Riga

From the restaurant with the cows, turn onto Krāmu iela street, and then immediately turn left onto Rozena iela street. This is the narrowest street in Riga, its width ranges from 1 to 2 meters. On this street there was the first foundry in the city, where bells and cannons were cast. Only the wine warehouses have survived to this day, now converted into another restaurant.

If you are on this street in the evening, be sure to admire the star garlands hanging in the narrowest part - it is very beautiful.

Recreation area "Egle"

From Krāmu iela street we get to a recreation area called Egle, which translates as “spruce”.

There are many restaurants and street sculptures here. There was once a building on this site, but it was demolished in 2010, and now Riga residents and tourists relax here.

Since this is the very center of the old city, you can’t do without attractions! Let's turn back and see Tirgoņu iela (Merchant) street. The street was in Riga already in 1333 and has never changed its name throughout its history. The houses on this street are residential with shops on the ground floor.

Town Hall

And here is the Town Hall on the horizon, we again returned to the Town Hall Square and the House of the Blackheads, where we started our walk through the Old Town of Riga!

What else to see in Riga will be written in the next article!