live:riga top 15

8/14/2019 LIVE:RIGA TOP 15

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1. Dome Square(www.vecriga.info)

In the heart of Old Riga is the largestsquare, Dome Square (Doma Laukums),around which are situated the citysbest outdoor cafes and bars. Thesquares current appearance goes backto the 1930s when only a portion of itsmedieval buildings were torn down. Onthe edge of the square one can see theDome Cathedral (Doma laukums 1). Itwas built as Bishop Alberts Cathedralin 1211 and rebuilt several times since,so today exhibits a mixture of lateRomanesque, early Gothic and Baroquearchitectural styles. The cathedral isfamous for its organ which is used inmany concerts and recitals.

2. Lvu Square(www.vecriga.info)

Livu Square (Lvu laukums) is relativelynew, built in the middle of the 20thcentury after World War II. An interestingcomplex of 18th century residential

buildings have been preserved here,as well as, the 18th century built LargeGuild (merchant association) andSmall Guild (craftsmens association)buildings in which one can see rich,decorated interiors. In the summer anumber of outdoor cafes operate inLivu Square, and in the evenings thereare live outdoor concerts, restaurants,clubs, and never a shortage of people.

3. Rtslaukums Square(www.vecriga.info)

Opposite the stone bridge there is stillanother important square in Old Riga the town square or Rtslaukums. Inthe Middle Ages it also served as anopen air market. During World War IIthe square was completely destroyed.However, today the town hall hasbeen completely restored as have the

Black Heads (Melngalvju Nams) andSchwabes House, and the statue ofRoland. Here one can also see the1970s Soviet Era building that housesthe Occupation Museum. The Rigatourism information centre is located inthe Schwabes House.

t o u r i s t s i t e s

i n R i g a


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Welcome to Riga!

The first, indelible impression that most visitors get ofthe Latvian capital is its majestic skyline, as viewedfrom the left bank of the Daugava River. The slender

Gothic spires of the Old Towns many churches attest to thecitys long history, which stretches back to the 13th century.The panoramas pleasing harmony is just the most visibleindication of the superb aesthetic sense that has shapedmuch of the citys architecture up to the present day.

The central part of Riga is the citys economic, financial andcultural core, as well as a UNESCO-designated World HeritageSite. One will find a breathtaking range of architectural stylesin the historical centre - from Baroque to Classicism, fromRenaissance to Art Deco, from Romanesque to NationalRomanticism. Furthermore, Rigas wealth of Jugendstil orArt Nouveau buildings stands out as unparalleled anywherein the world. Yet equally unique are the many 19th-centurywooden buildings that have proudly withstood the pressuresof commercialization and gentrification, retaining their placein Rigas architectural cornucopia and currently undergoing

state-of-the-art facelifts.

But Riga is much more than just its history. Proud of itsheritage, it is a thoroughly modern city with a highly developedinfrastructure and opportunities for a variety of activities andentertainment. A city with rich musical traditions, today itboasts an excellent opera, several world-class choirs andoutstanding classical orchestras, not to mention jazz, rockand blues ensembles, plus a variety of other popular musicbands performing in both concert halls and clubs.

Riga is a lively, spirited, and future-oriented city with its owndistinct aura, charm, and style.


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1. Dome Square In the heart of Old Riga is the largestsquare, Dome Square (Doma Laukums),around which are situated the citysbest outdoor cafes and bars. Thesquares current appearance goes backto the 1930s when only a portion of itsmedieval buildings were torn down. Onthe edge of the square one can see the

Dome Cathedral (Doma laukums 1). Itwas built as Bishop Alberts Cathedralin 1211 and rebuilt several times since,so today exhibits a mixture of lateRomanesque, early Gothic and Baroquearchitectural styles. The cathedral isfamous for its organ which is used inmany concerts and recitals.

2. Lvu Square Livu Square (Lvu laukums) is relativelynew, built in the middle of the 20thcentury after World War II. An interestingcomplex of 18th century residentialbuildings has been preserved here, aswell as, the 18th century built LargeGuild (merchant association) andSmall Guild (craftsmens association)buildings in which one can see rich,decorated interiors. In the summer anumber of outdoor cafes operate inLivu Square, and in the evenings there

are live outdoor concerts, restaurants,clubs, and never a shortage of people.

3. Rtslaukums Square

Opposite the stone bridge there isanother important square in Old Riga the town square or Rtslaukums. Inthe Middle Ages it also served as anopen air market. During World War IIthe square was completely destroyed.However, today the town hall hasbeen completely restored as have the

Blackheads (Melngalvju Nams) andSchwabes House, and the statue ofRoland. Here one can also see the1970s Soviet Era building that housesthe Occupation Museum.


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4. St Peters Church

St Peters Church (Skru iela 19) isanother imposing red brick church,first built from timber in 1209, thenrebuilt in stone. A lift inside the spiretakes visitors to two viewing platformsproviding a fantastic panoramic viewover the red roofs of the Old Town andacross the river Daugava.

5. The Freedom Monument

The symbol of Latvian independenceand Rigas major landmark is theFreedom Monument. Standing on themain street Brvbas iela it can be seen

from far away. Its three stars rise abovethe trees of the central parks. To thenorth of the freedom monument nearthe city canal is one of Rigas sand hills Bastejkalns, which is a part of the parkgreen belt around the Old Town.

6. The House ofBlackheads

The House of Blackheads (Rtslaukums7) built in 14th century belonged tothe Guild of Unmarried Merchants. Atthe time it was the richest and mostprestigious venue in the whole city. Itwas severely damaged and pillagedduring WWII, but was rebuilt again in1999 as an exact copy of the originalwith a magnificent Dutch Renaissancefacade and amazing ceiling paintingsinside.


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7. The Powder Tower

The Powder Tower (Pulvertornis) isone of Rigas fortification towers andwas originally called the Sand Tower. Itdates back to 1330. Rebuilt numeroustimes, it gained its current name in the17th century when they began to storegunpowder in the tower. Since 1919 ithouses the Latvian War Museum.

8. The Speri creativequarter

The Speri creative quarter is nowhome to more than a dozen cultural,creative groups. Located a stonesthrow from the Central Market by theshores of the Daugava River, Sperihosts regular art exhibitions organizedby the kim? creative group, as well ashigh-calibre music concerts in theconcert hall. Restaurants and cafes inSperi are also worth visiting.

9. Three Brothers

Three Brothers (Maz Pils iela 19) is acharming group of residential houseseach from a different century, the oldestdating back to the 15th century.


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13. Riga Castle

One of the most striking features of theOld Towns classic skyline is the RigaCastle, which has served as the seat ofvarious rulers throughout the centuries.After independence was restored in1991, the castle became the primaryworkplace of the President of Latvia.

14. Latvian National ArtMuseum

The Latvian National Art Museum offersone of the best opportunities to witnessthe development of visual art in Latvia,the Baltics and Russia from the 18thcentury to the present. The works ofthe Latvian-born, avant-garde, Sovietpropaganda artist Gustavs Klucis arewell represented, as are those of theRussian mystic Nicholas Roerich andhis son Svetoslav.

15. Kalnciema iela quarter

Across the river, in Prdaugava, liesthe Kalnciema iela quarter of freshlyrenovated wooden houses. This beganas a private initiative to renovate severalneglected but stately wooden buildingson both sides of Kalnciema iela, one ofthe main streets in Prdaugava. Rigaswooden architecture is considered to be

a valuable, cultural heritage by UNESCO,and the Kalnciema iela quarter is a goodplace to witness it in its renewed glory,either by attending the regular Saturdaymarkets, or by browsing through theinterior design stores that have now setup shop there, together with a number ofbusiness offices.


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