Sights of Riga: Old Town. Latvian National Opera. House of Black Cats

After our trip, I have accumulated many reasons why it is worth coming to Riga, getting to know this city, falling in love with it and coming back again. Riga is really one of the few cities where you want to return!

1. Climb the tower of St. Peter's Church and look at the old city from a height

The church is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, the cost of the lift is 9 euros for adults and 7 euros for students. On holidays, the schedule must be clarified. Also in the cathedral itself you can find the church choir. It is better to climb the tower in the late afternoon - fewer tourists and the sun will no longer be so bright and will not light up your photos.

2. Visit the old city market

The buildings of the market, which are visible from many points of the city, are former hangars for airships. Previously, they were much larger and were located outside the city, but the Riga City Council bought them at an auction and brought them to the city. In the buildings of the market, between the stalls, you can find old photographs where huge aircraft were inside the structures. At the market, you can try sanctioned cheeses, buy selected meat, and also taste delicious dumplings with all sorts of fillings - from beef to venison.

The market also sells a variety of flowers - tulips, daffodils, roses and many more!

3. View the city from the deck of the ship

In the Bastion Hill park, which is almost in the very center of Riga, you can find a small boat pier and for 18 euros (9 euros for students) ride along the city canal and even swim out to the Dvina River, from where beautiful panorama and a great view of the city bridges. This tour lasts about 50 minutes and is perfect for a sunny warm day. Also pay attention to interesting walk kayaking along the Riga canals - Luzumpunkts.

4. Take a walk in the park next to the Japanese houses

After walking along the city canals, you will again find yourself in the city park, where among the fluffy green lawns and flower beds there are many Japanese arbors that Japan gave the city. They fit well into the city park and create the feeling that you are already in another country.

5. Marvel at the clock on St. Peter's Church

Walking around the city, you will almost always see the spire of St. Peter's Church. Take a closer look at the clock: firstly, this is the first clock in Riga since 1352, secondly, there is only one hand on the clock, and thirdly, the number 4 on the clock is not Roman.

6. Visit the best fish restaurant in Riga and try Le Dome signature dessert

12. Take a walk in Victory Park (Uzvaras park), especially when sakura blossoms there

In the city park Uzvaras, located on the left bank of the Daugava River, sakura blossoms in spring! The trees were donated to the city by the Japanese embassy in Latvia in 2012, and since then residents have enjoyed the stunning pink flowers every year. The park has a large green area equipped with benches and paths, both for bicycles and for walking with children. If you haven't caught the bloom, then come here for a picnic.

13. Get to know Riga Art Nouveau

If you are not indifferent to architecture, head to Alberta Street, which is considered the pearl of Art Nouveau. Gorgeous façades adorned with female sculptures, Viking helmets, torches, screaming mascarons, standing sculptures of women with open mouths expressing concern and anxiety, Apollos, phoenix birds and much more. This street is called the street of millionaires, because the cost of apartments here is quite high, and throughout history, the most famous people- from opera singers to politicians.

14. See the most beautiful staircase in the city

Having examined all the houses on Alberta Street, visit the Jugendstil Museum, located here, at Alberta iela 12. The luxurious interiors of the museum jugendstils.riga.lv begin with the front beautiful staircase in the city! Be sure to look at it from below, and then go up to the very top to enjoy a different pattern.

15. Sit with a book in a cozy cafe

Siena art cafe is located not far from the famous Alberta street. Antique furniture, beautiful porcelain and a lot of books! Fresh croissants, French desserts, teas from all over the world, high-quality coffee, as well as French wines, champagne and even cognac await you every morning. It is nice to sit in Siena, enjoying an interesting book or a pleasant conversation.

Photo from instagram @veroveronika

16. Ride a bike

Almost the entire city can be explored on foot or use public transport, call a green taxi. But how many cyclists are there in Riga! Feel free to rent a bike and go to see areas remote from the center, cross bridges and enjoy the beauty of small streets!

17. Walk down the most hipster street in the world

Miera iela Street (translated into Russian as Mira Street) received the title of the most hipster street in the world according to the SkyScanner travel portal, which identified the 20 most popular hipster neighborhoods in the world. Miera Street outperformed its competitors - New York's Williamsburg, London's Dalston and Berlin's Kreuzberg. Here you will find many cafes and art galleries, modern barbershops, as well as bookstores and specialty teas. Here - mieriela.lv you can take a virtual walk along Mira Street, and here delfi.lv you can see photos of its visitors.

18. Reach for the rooster on the statue of the Bremen Town Musicians

Walking through the old town, you will definitely come across the statue of the Bremen town musicians. This is a gift to Riga from German city Bremen. There is a legend that the higher you reach, the more secret desire will be fulfilled, so the noses of the donkey, dog, cat and rooster became shiny.

Photo from instagram @veronikakas

19. See the faces on the facade of the Church of St. John

Diagonally from the statue of the Bremen town musicians is the most old church, in the foundation of which volunteer monks were immured. They wanted to be canonized, but after the foundation was made, their desire was considered pride. On the facade of the church, you can see the masks through which the preachers spoke to the people, inviting them to worship.

20. Get to know the Flower Street from the series "17 Moments of Spring"

Riga Jauniela Street (namely, house 25/27) was filmed in the famous TV series 17 Moments of Spring as Flower Street (Blümenstraße). It was from the window of this house that Professor Pleischner jumped out, having swallowed an ampoule of poison, when, when visiting a turnout in Bern, he did not check the established signals - a flower in the window. Pleishner remembered Stirlitz's instructions too late. Instead of the bird shop that the professor admired, the Eustace Hotel was opened, where cages with birds hang on the facade. The name of the hotel corresponds to the pseudonym with which Stirlitz signed his encrypted messages from Berlin to Moscow.

On the same street is one of the most famous facades - the house with cows or restaurant 1221.

21. Go to the courtyard of the house of Sherlock Homes and Dr. Watson

Away from the roadway of Yauniela Street, in a small cramped courtyard, is the house of Homs and Watson. Entering the courtyard, you will immediately notice the same door at 221b Baker Street.

22. Admire the Three Brothers

The famous "Three Brothers", named by analogy with the "Three Sisters" in Tallinn, show the periods of development of the construction of residential buildings in medieval Latvia. The White Brother, Middle Brother and Green Brother were each built in their own century, the oldest being in the 15th century. Try to get into the courtyard of the buildings, and after that go to the cozy veranda of the nearest cafe Parunasim cafe "teeka.

23. Get lost in the city and find the most beautiful front doors

Walking around the city, turn into any lane, then go straight, turn right, and somewhere here you will find a beautiful front door. It was "lost" in the city that we met the most beautiful porches!

24. Drink a glass of wine in one of the best bars in Riga

26. Go on a tour with a yellow suitcase

Every day at 12:00 a man with a yellow suitcase comes to the main entrance to St. Peter's Church, and a bunch of people from different countries also accumulate - this is Free Walking Tour Riga. The tour is free, lasts 2.5 hours, at the end of which you can pay as much as you want. The tour goes to English language and it is always carried out locals who know the most interesting places in their city. You won't be shown tourist sites, but they will definitely lead you somewhere that is not written in any guidebook. Highly recommend visiting."

27. Listen to the organ in the Dome Cathedral

The Dome Cathedral is the largest religious building in Latvia, it houses many artistic and historical values. The Dome Cathedral is famous for its organ. The schedule of concerts and other information can be found on the official website of the cathedral - doms.lv.

28. Drink Riga Balsam and visit Abram Kuntze's pharmacy

Abram Kuntze is the inventor of the famous Riga Balsam. The apothecary mixed 24 ingredients to make a medicine. The Riga balm became known during the time of Catherine II, when she visited Courland and felt unwell, she was offered a balm, after which the illness went away. A pharmacy in which a pharmacist worked was preserved in Riga, where they made a beautiful design and now it is Black Magic Bar, where every visitor can get a "portion of fear" and buy sweets with a surprise.

29. Find "waves" on the lawn of Livov Square

The square was formed in the middle of the 20th century, after the Second World War. Here is the Great Guild (merchants), the Small Guild (artisans), where dance balls take place, as well as a complex of buildings from the 18th century, when houses were attached to existing walls. Waves are depicted on the lawn, because the city river used to start here.

30. Learn the story about the house with black cats

Not far from Livov Square, to the right of the Great Guild, there is a house with two black cats on the roof, and the cats are in such a position that they are ready to defecate. The story of the appearance of cats is as follows: one of the Riga merchants really wanted to join the guild, but he was not accepted in any way, then he decided to buy a house opposite the guild and ordered to put cats on the roof spiers, and back to the guild. After that, there was a trial, the merchant was urged to remove the cats, but the court decided to turn the cats in the other direction. The cats were deployed, and the merchant was accepted into the guild.

31. Laugh at the name of the Stalin skyscraper

The Latvian Academy of Sciences is a 21-story building modeled on Moscow's "Stalin skyscrapers". The locals call the skyscraper birthday cake :) The building has an observation deck, so you can look at the city from a new angle from it.

32. Take a picture of the powder tower

This is the only surviving tower of the Riga fortress wall. In summer, the tower is covered with green ivy, and in spring you can see 2 cannonballs stuck in the tower wall since the 17th century. The tower was abandoned for a long time until German students rented it. Having opened the tower, they found mountains of pigeon droppings, but the students were not at a loss, they sold the droppings to farmers, and with this money they carried out restoration.

33. Find a monument to photographer Philip Halsman

On the side wall of the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, on Skarnu Street, in 2011, a monument was erected to the famous photographer Philip Halsman, who was born in Riga. Halsman is considered the founder of surrealism in photography, because it was he who came up with the idea of ​​jumping in photographs. In the jump, he captured more than 200 portraits of famous people such as Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Selvador Dali, Henri Matisse.

34. Drink coffee with delicious ice cream

37. Meet the sunset with a view of the city at SkyLine Bar

One of the best views of the city opens from the 27th floor of the SkyLine bar, located at the Radisson Blue Hotel. Book in advance a table by the window and you will be waiting for the most beautiful view on the city during sunset. The bar has an excellent list of cocktails!

38. Buy souvenirs with Latvian ornaments

The Latvian ornament is many thousands of years old and, they say, secret information is encoded in it. There are many interesting souvenirs in Riga, ranging from designer postcards to ceramic houses and clothes.

39. Take a picture near the Stenders soap shop

This porch remains a mystery to me personally! Why is everyone taking pictures with him I don’t understand ?! You will definitely come across a shop while walking around the city, and you will have to take a picture.

40. Visit the luxury spa ESPA

Swim in the pool, lie down in the sauna and visit the procedures - an obligatory part of the program after walking around Riga! You can’t get there on holidays, so book your visit in advance - www.espariga.lv

41. Take a photo - postcard

Floating along the river on a boat or walking along the city bridge, you will have a stunning view of the city, its ancient towers, the Riga Castle, and you can catch the point that all the towers will line up in one row - this is the postcard view photo.

42. Walk to the Academy of Arts

The building of the Academy of Arts with neo-Gothic forms will not leave you indifferent! The building was built in 1905, and in 1919 the Academy of Arts was founded here. Around the building are unusual sculptures and a small park.

43. Go to the zoo

Get on the tram and go to the Riga Zoo! There is also the greenest district of Riga - Mezhaparks, as well as Lake Kisezers. Entrance ticket to the zoo for an adult - 6 euros, for a child - 4 euros. The official website of the zoo is rigazoo.lv.

45. Fly with Air Baltic

Air Baltic calls itself the most punctual airline. On board the aircraft you will be offered a very tasty menu from famous chefs. It takes only 1 hour and 20 minutes to fly to Riga, so it's really easy to get here.

If you have free time, go out of town:

46. ​​Jurmala - take a walk along the sea and in a pine forest, sit on a cozy veranda of 36 Line and Faces restaurants. You can get to Jurmala in 35 minutes by train from the city railway station.

47. Rumene Manor - a country residence (100 km from Riga) of the Hotel Bergs for relaxation, various events, banquets and conferences with the opportunity to spend the night in 5 spacious apartments.

48. Trek through the swamps in Kemeri National Park.

49. Turaida Museum-Reserve.

50. City of Sigulda. The city is located 50 km from Riga. This region of Latvia is rich in nature and interesting sights, including Turaida Castle, cable car, caves, estates and others.

See you in Riga!

Religious buildings

• Church of Mary Magdalene.
  
  
• St. Peter's Church(Skarnu St. 19). We could not pass by the Church of St. Peter. It is located in the very center of old Riga and is one of the main attractions of the Latvian capital. Mentions of the church in medieval chronicles begin in 1209, which means that it is the same age as the city itself. Until the middle of the 20th century, St. Peter's Church remained the highest wooden building in Europe. Its height is 123 meters. Images of this attraction adorn a lot of photos, postcards and magnets, other souvenirs of Riga and Latvia. There are two observation decks on the tower of St. Peter. From them you can admire the views of Riga from a height of 72 meters. During its history, the temple has experienced both gradual dilapidation and a strong fire, in the fire of which stained-glass windows and frescoes were lost. Now the decoration of St. Peter's Church looks very simple. The main decoration is miraculously preserved, ancient, gilded epitaphs made in wood and metal.
• The Dome Cathedral(Dome Square, 1). The Dome Cathedral was founded in 1211 (in fact, together with Riga itself). And until now, this largest cathedral in the Baltics remains one of the most famous spiritual and cultural centers of Latvia. An organ is installed in the Dome Cathedral, for a long time it was considered the largest in the world. Services and concerts of organ music are regularly held in the cathedral. The cathedral impressed me with its majestic severity. The guide said that the architecture of the cathedral combined Gothic, late Romanesque and Baroque styles. The dome of the cathedral is crowned with a golden cockerel - another symbol of Riga.
  

Architectural monuments

• town hall (Town Hall Square). The Town Hall Square is located near the Church of St. Peter, and on it the Town Hall. The Town Hall building was erected in 1334. Decrees of the city magistrate were announced to the townspeople from the balcony of the Town Hall.
  
• House of the Blackheads(Ratushnaya Square, 7). We were impressed by the house of the Brotherhood of the Blackheads. Many mysteries and mysteries are associated with the house of the Blackheads. We examined the richly decorated facade of the building for a long time. They found on it a French royal lily, golden lions, a fish impaled on a shaft, a figure of Our Lady with a baby, crossed keys over a crescent. The guide said that all these symbols have their own meaning. The merchant brotherhood of St. Mauritius, who owned the house, was popularly called the "brotherhood of the Blackheads", because. according to legend, Saint Mauritius, a Roman general and Christian associate who did not renounce his faith even under torture, was black.
  
• House of Menzendorf(Grycinieku street 18). The Menzendorf House is a museum that contains a large collection of chests, antique utensils and household items of the townspeople. The house was built in 1695. It contained living quarters, a store, warehouses and the oldest pharmacy in Riga. According to local legends, the famous Riga Balsam was first prepared in this pharmacy. In 1884, the house was purchased by the Riga merchant August Menzendorf, and until 1939 the Menzendorfs lived in it, after whom the house got its name.
  
• Jauniela street. Perhaps everyone knows that in Soviet times, filmmakers traveled to Riga to film "abroad". The one the legendary Jauniela street, on which they filmed Soviet movies about the detective Sherlock Holmes and the Soviet intelligence officer Stirlitz and many other films, it starts from Domskaya Square.
  
• "Three brothers"(St. Maza Pils, 17,19,21). In the narrow and inconspicuous streets near Domskaya Square, three small houses - "Three Brothers" - were hidden. These are the oldest residential buildings in Riga. According to legend, these houses were indeed built by men belonging to the same family. Among the people, the "Three Brothers" are distinguished and named after appearance: White, Medium and Green brother. The white brother is the oldest (the building was built around 1490 (house 17). The coat of arms, located on one of the houses, depicts ears of corn, which indicates that it belonged to a baker. The oldest confectionery in Riga was previously located there. Nowadays in the buildings are Museum of Architecture and State Center protection of cultural monuments.
  
• Riga Castle (central District). There is a castle in every ancient city. There is also in Riga. A real medieval castle. The first mention of the Riga Castle dates back to 1330. The castle has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. Over the years, the residences of the Archbishop of Riga, the Livonian Order, Polish, Swedish, Russian rulers were located in the castle. Today, the castle houses the residence of the President of Latvia. Now the castle is undergoing reconstruction, which is planned to be completed in 2018.
  
• Central Market(Gaizinya st., Spikerau st., Popolu st.). The central market is located in a huge building, which at the beginning of the 20th century served as a hangar for airships. The Central Market is three large pavilions of products for any, even the most demanding taste.
  

monuments

Museums

Parks and natural attractions

• Riga Zoo;
• mezhapark;
• Freedom Monument;
• Victory park;

• Esplanade;
• Arcadia;
• Vermansky park;
• Latvian Ethnographic Museum.

Riga Zoo (Mezha avenue, 1). If you come to Riga in the summer, and even with children, I advise you to include the Riga Zoo in your itinerary. It is the largest in the entire Baltic. Lives in the zoo over 3000 different animals, reptiles, insects and birds. There is even a hotel for bees! This is the first time we've heard of this. It turns out that there are special types of bees that do not live in common hives. That's what hotels are for. We did not manage to see them, because. bees sleep in winter. Many animals were also kept in winter enclosures. But we managed to see giraffes, camels, tapirs, hippos, wild boars, crocodiles and turtles. The kids liked it. Speaking of turtles. The zoo has an amusing attraction - hang the ancient turtle. This is such a swing, on one side of which lies the figure of an ancient turtle, and on the other, visitors sit down. We with two children (about 100 kg in total) barely got the turtle off the ground!

What can a tourist see in 1 day

If you are interested in what sights of Riga you can see in one day, then a walk through the Old Town will allow you to see the largest number interesting places for such a short period of time. Here is an incomplete list of interesting places that are quite realistic to get around in one day:

• Church of St. Peter;
• monument to the Bremen Town Musicians;
• City Hall;
• House of the Blackheads;
• statue of Roland;
• The Dome Cathedral;
• museum of the history of Riga and navigation;
• Jauniela street.

Old city– the historical and geographical center of Riga, located on the right bank of the Daugava and repeating with its streets the curves of the defensive ramparts, which were dismantled in the middle of the 19th century. The Old Town is a quiet, cozy and well-groomed quarter. If desired, the main sights of old Riga can be seen in one day, even in winter. If you come to Riga for the first time, be sure to hire a guide in Old Riga. With a guide, a walk will be not only pleasant, but also informative. Almost each square, street, cathedral, house has its own unique history or legend. The guide will tell you about all this. He will also guide you through the main sights of Riga optimal routes. Our tour lasted two hours, but we hardly learned half of everything that the main sights of old Riga can tell about. The architecture of the streets is very peculiar and interesting. I wanted to photograph literally every building in order to leave all this beauty in my memory!

Video from a resident of Riga in which he shows the sights of Riga. When you watch the video, you plunge headlong into this a beautiful city . Everything that is around freezes. Watch and enjoy.

What can a tourist see in 3 days

If you are lucky and can stay in Riga for three days, then it is better to plan sightseeing as follows:

The main sights of Old Riga, which I wrote about above.

Continued acquaintance with the Old City and its environs:

• Riga Zoo;
• firefighting museum of Latvia;
• Riga Castle;
• Cathedral St. James;
• Three brothers;
• House of Menzendorf; Riga in winter is not only sights and unusual places in which all tourists are sure to take a photo. These are also the smells of coffee, mulled wine and something else unimaginably pleasant spilled in the air. Everywhere illumination, decorations, lights. Right in the "gingerbread houses" and "oak barrels" of Christmas fairs, you will be sold hot mulled wine and hot juice (it's great for children!), "Christmas" cookies, peppered almonds, jewelry, fabulous amber ... many other warm and beautiful souvenirs!

  And in winter, you can visit the Lido skating rink, located in the Lido shopping and entertainment complex on Krasta (Krasta street, 76). Good rental of skates, changing rooms and rest. There are a lot of people on the weekends in the afternoon.

  In three days we managed to see a lot of things. But we didn't get much more. We are waiting Sun Museum, Arcadia Park, Powder Tower, Riga TV Tower, Livu Aquapark… For ourselves, we decided that we would definitely come to Riga in the summer. To not only walk around the city, but also enjoy the sea. Where would you suggest to visit?

The small and proud capital of Latvia is the focus of heritage Northern Europe and important Cultural Center throughout the Baltics. People come here not so much to taste the Riga Balsam or taste Baltic sprats, but rather for interesting excursions and educational pastime. There are many museums, galleries, historical monuments and architectural monuments in Riga.

The old town is filled with interesting cultural sights, elegant cathedrals of various religious denominations adorn the squares, and hospitable cozy taverns await tourists in the bowels of the medieval streets. Riga is glorious city ancient trading guilds, whose traditions date back several hundred years and remain alive to this day.

The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.

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What to see and where to go in Riga?

The most interesting and Beautiful places for walks. Photos and a short description.

The historical center of the Latvian capital, where the most interesting sights are located. In the depths of the winding streets of the Old Town, you can still feel the indescribable atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Traditional northern European architecture can be seen here in every structure and in every bend of the paved stone pavement.

A 14th century castle on the banks of the Daugava (Dvina) River. It was built for the masters of the Livonian Order. As a result of numerous battles waged by the warlike brothers, the castle was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. From the second half of the 16th century, the building was alternately owned by Polish, Swedish and Russian crowned persons. Since 1922, the castle has been the residence of the Latvian president.

The historical building of the Riga City Hall appeared in the 13th century, but it was destroyed as a result of shelling and fire in 1941. From the town hall there were only ruins with surviving fragments of the facade. Restoration began only in the late 1990s. XX century. The new building was completed by 2003. It is an almost complete copy of the historic town hall.

The building is a remake built in the late 1990s. in a manner typical of northern European cities. Previously, from the XIV century until 1941, in its place was located historical building with the same name. It belonged to the merchant brotherhood of the Blackheads, who adapted it for trade and entertainment. For many centuries, the House of the Blackheads was considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Riga.

The house is located within the Old Town, it is one of the popular attractions of the Latvian capital. The building was erected at the beginning of the 20th century according to the project of F. Schefel. It is believed that the figures of cats on the towers appeared thanks to the idea of ​​the merchant Blumer, the former owner of the house. The animals were turned with their backs to the windows of the merchant guild, where Blumer was refused to be received. Thus, the cunning one took revenge on the leadership of the guild.

The building of the XVII century, which houses the oldest pharmacy in the city. In addition to medicines, ink, gunpowder and cosmetics were sold here for two centuries. It is generally accepted that the recipe for the famous Riga Balsam was invented in this pharmacy. The tincture contains several hundred herbs, oils, berries and fruits as ingredients. It was used as an anesthetic.

Residential complex in historical center Riga, preserved from the 15th century. It is an example of medieval town planning. The buildings are located so close to each other that it seems as if it is one building. Presumably, the "Three Brothers" were built by artisans from the same family. People still live in the houses.

Buildings that once belonged to the most influential Riga craft and trade guilds - Big and Small. In the middle of the XIV century, these two associations left the Guild of the Holy Cross. The premises were built in XIX century in the English Neo-Gothic style. The interiors are decorated with original chandeliers, beautiful stained-glass windows and decorative wall paintings.

The barracks of the 17th century, built for the Swedish military by the inhabitants of Riga. After the city was conquered by Sweden, the townspeople were obliged to maintain a military garrison on their territory. Under Peter I, the barracks were demolished and rebuilt in the style of Dutch classicism. Since the 19th century, administrative services, a school, and a labor exchange have been located here. The complex is currently owned by the American Chamber of Commerce.

An architectural monument of the XIV-XVIII centuries, where the residence of the Order of the Sword was previously located. He is in one of the oldest quarters Riga. A few centuries ago there was an order castle, which was subsequently destroyed. In connection with the relocation of the monk brothers to another place, a convention was opened on the territory of the complex (in other words, a shelter).

A small street built in an interesting architectural style called Jugendstil (the German name for Art Nouveau). Most of the structures were erected in just two years according to the designs of M. Eisenstein. Here is the Riga Art Nouveau Museum, embassies, offices, administrative buildings. Albert Street is called the "Pearl of Art Nouveau".

Part of the ancient city fortifications of Riga, which has survived to this day in a fairly good condition. The tower appeared even before the conquest of the city by the Livonian Order, but the building was destroyed in the 17th century (but it was soon restored). During the reign Russian Empire it was decided to destroy the entire fortification system of Riga, and leave the powder tower as a memory.

The gate created at the beginning of the 18th century during the Swedish occupation of Riga. Now this building is a recognized architectural monument of Latvia and all of Europe, as it has survived to this day almost in its original form. The Swedish garrison was stationed not far from the gate, so the passage was used mainly by the military.

Medieval temple, famous for its high bell tower. The height of the tower is 123.5 meters, the spire is 64.5 meters. The facade of the bell tower is decorated with an old clock, and the top is crowned with a weather vane - a golden cockerel. The tower of St. Peter's Church dominates the buildings of the historical center of Riga, stands out against the background of lower buildings. Near the temple there is a monument to the Bremen Town Musicians.

Riga Cathedral of the 13th century, one of the largest churches in the entire Baltic region. The cathedral belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia. The building is an example of the transition from medieval Romanesque to Northern European Gothic. Separate fragments of the interior decoration are made in the Renaissance style. One of the main attractions of the temple is a grandiose organ 25 meters high, consisting of almost 7 thousand pipes.

Cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Latvia. Funds for its construction were allocated by the Russian Emperor Alexander II, and the autocrat also donated 12 bells to the future temple. In the 60s. In the 20th century, the interior decoration was almost completely destroyed; a cafe, a planetarium and other institutions were placed on the territory of the cathedral. Restoration began in the 90s. after the collapse of the USSR.

The main Catholic church in Riga, first mentioned in documents from the beginning of the 13th century. The building is made of brick, it is an example of the transition from the Romanesque style to the Gothic architectural style. During the Church Reformation, the cathedral survived many pogroms and arson, as a result of which many cultural values ​​were lost.

The most famous and eminent musical theater of the country, where leading soloists perform and world masterpieces of ballet and opera art are staged. The stage opened in 1919 with a production of The Flying Dutchman by R. Wagner. Every year, the opera hosts up to 200 performances, of which five to seven are premieres. Both classical productions and modern interpretations of operas created by young authors are equally successful.

An architectural monument of the early 20th century in the historical center of the Latvian capital. First, a German gymnasium was located here, then a commercial school, only by the middle of the 20th century the Latvian Academy of Arts was opened. The construction project was developed by W. Boxlaff. According to the architectural idea, the complex should symbolize the strong connection of Riga with the Hanseatic League (trade and political union of the cities of North-Western Europe).

The museum is located on the territory of the architectural ensemble of the Dome Cathedral. This is one of the oldest expositions in Latvia, founded in the 18th century. Collections collected by various historical and archaeological communities of the Baltics are exhibited here. The museum funds contain more than half a million exhibits. They are located in the halls according to themes and chronology.

Art Gallery of Latvia, which contains the most impressive exposition, from ancient Egyptian art to the latest modern period. The canvases of representatives of German romanticism, the Belgian and Dutch schools are stored and exhibited here. It will also be interesting to look at the artifacts of the Ancient World, and art objects of Medieval Europe.

The official name of the gallery is the Latvian National Museum of Art. More than 52 thousand exhibits are exhibited here: extensive collections of Latvian masters, paintings by European and Russian artists. Among the famous paintings are works by N. Roerich, J. Rosenthal, I. Aivazovsky, V. Purvitis. Temporary exhibitions of famous masters of the brush are constantly organized on the territory of the gallery.

Museum dedicated to the period of Latvian history from 1940 to 1991 The main part of the exposition is devoted specifically to the Soviet period of Latvian history, the period of 1941-1944. - German occupation. The exposition of the museum puts the personality of Stalin and Hitler on the same level, and actually equates Nazi Germany and its destructive activities with the USSR. Because of this, some visitors evaluate the collections of the Museum of the Occupation very ambiguously.

One of the best car museums in Europe. The basis of the exposition is the collection of the Latvian Club antique cars. The museum was created thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts who were passionate about the restoration of old cars and dreamed of a separate building where the results of their work could be placed. The first models of Moskvich, Fiat, Mercedes, BMW and many other well-known and not so famous brands are exhibited here.

A real "gastronomic paradise" of the Latvian capital, where you can buy the freshest and most delicious products. The market is divided into five pavilions: meat, vegetable, fish, dairy and gastronomic. On the territory outside the pavilions, they sell flowers, clothes and everyday items. All kinds of smoked meats are in particular demand among tourists: poultry, an endless assortment of fish, sausages and other delicacies.

Monument erected in honor of the independence of Latvia in 1935. It is a sculpture of a woman standing on a high pedestal. The woman holds three stars in her hands, symbolizing the historical regions of Latvia. At the foot of the pedestal there is a sculptural group consisting of historical characters from different periods. The monument is located on one of central streets not far from Old Riga.

One of the most picturesque and popular landscape parks in Riga, founded on the territory of a private garden in the 19th century. Arcadia Park has gone through several reconstructions - at first it was an exotic garden with unusual plants and greenhouses where rare types of palm trees were grown, then it turned into an entertainment complex and eventually became a public city park for walking and relaxing.

The city park, equipped at the expense of the widow Anna Verman and bearing the name in her honor. At the beginning of the 19th century, this place was a swampy area, which brought a lot of anxiety and inconvenience to the inhabitants of Riga. Then the authorities had an idea to drain the swamp and lay out a public park, and a rich widow donated a large sum of money for this good event.

The TV and radio broadcasting tower with a height of 368.5 meters is the tallest building of its kind in the entire Baltic region and the third tallest in Europe. The tower is located on the island of Zakusala. Inside the structure, at a height of 99 meters, there is an observation deck from where you can admire the panorama of the Gulf of Riga and the views of the city itself. The Riga TV Tower was built in the period 1979-1986.

An elegant engineering structure, one of the symbols of dynamic modern Riga. The bridge was built in 1981. At that time, it was the longest hanging span over the river in the Soviet Union. The length of the main pontoon is more than 300 meters, overall width- more than 28 meters. The bridge carries vehicles and public transport, also laid trolleybus lines.

The ancient port city of Riga, located on the coast Baltic Sea, is interesting for its unique atmosphere and unhurried rhythm of life. The heyday of Riga fell on 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 sights. In our article, we present the main sights of Riga which are definitely worth a visit for every tourist.

1. Riga Old Town

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

2. Dome Cathedral

The Riga Dome Cathedral is one of the main religious sights of the Latvian capital and the largest medieval temple in the Baltic States. This monumental building harmoniously combined the features of early Gothic, Baroque, Art Nouveau and other architectural styles. On the spire of the tower of the Dome Cathedral there is a gilded cockerel weather vane, one of the traditional symbols of the churches of Old Riga. The main historical value of the cathedral is its magnificent 19th-century organ, which at the time of installation was the largest organ in the world, and today it is one of the most famous historical musical instruments in Europe. The Dome Cathedral invariably pleases its visitors with wonderful spiritual 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, crowned 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 old clock with chimes, which play a traditional Latvian melody five times a day. The tower is also interesting for its observation deck, from where you can enjoy the magnificent panorama of the Old Town. Inside the church, you should pay attention to the sculpture of the knight Roland, the seven-headed bronze candlestick of the 16th century and the stone bas-reliefs that previously adorned the building of the temple. Church of St. Peter in Riga regularly hosts divine services, sacred music concerns 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. Initially, the castle, built in the 14th century, belonged to the powerful Livonian Order. At that time he was a real medieval fortress with impregnable walls, powerful towers and a drawbridge. During the Livonian War in the middle of the 16th century, the troops of Ivan the Terrible defeated the Livonian Order, after which the Riga Castle was empty. Subsequently, it served as the residence of the Polish, Swedish and Russian rulers, each of whom rebuilt the building in accordance with their preferences. Today it is not just a beautiful Riga attraction, but the official residence of the President of Latvia. In the halls of the castle there are many museum expositions dedicated to painting, literature, music and theatrical art.

5. Latvian National Opera

The next sight of Riga, which will be interesting for tourists to visit, is the Latvian National Opera. Opera art in Latvia has rich traditions: back in the 18th century, the German Theater was established here, on the stage of which the music of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven sounded, and the great German composer Richard Wagner was its chief conductor for several years. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Latvian National Opera was opened in the building of the German Theatre, which for many decades has been considered the center of the cultural life of Latvia. The repertoire of the opera includes world-famous classical opera productions, works by Latvian composers, original contemporary compositions, 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. Vermanes Park

Vermanes Park, founded at the beginning of the 19th century, is the oldest public park in Riga. The park got its name in honor of Anna Verman, the widow of the Riga businessman Christian Verman, who allocated a large sum of money for the construction of the park. In the middle of the 19th century, an institution with artificial mineral water was opened here. This "marketing ploy" turned out to be so successful that Vermansky Park immediately gained unheard of popularity among the Russian aristocracy, who at that time loved to relax on the waters. Nowadays, Vermanes Park is a great place in Riga for quiet walks and unhurried rest. Fans of chess fights 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 urban social life. The House of the Blackheads was built in the 14th century as a venue for sumptuous feasts and celebrations of the local nobility. These events were organized by young unmarried merchants who called themselves the Brotherhood of the Blackheads. At different times, the rulers of many European states, Russian tsars and queens, including Peter I and Catherine II. Nowadays, concerts, art exhibitions and other cultural events are held here. 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 noble and wealthy people of Europe, will not leave indifferent even the most demanding visitors.

Another interesting sight 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. Artisans and merchants worked and lived here. The Elder Brother, painted white, was built at the end of the 15th century. The "Middle Brother" attracts the eyes of visitors with its exquisite facade 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 to the open hearth with a chimney, which served to heat the building and cook food.

9. Latvian Ethnographic Museum

The Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum invites its guests to mentally travel back several centuries and take a fascinating walk through the Latvian farm. This landmark is one of the oldest museums of its kind in Europe. 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, see the inside of a Latvian bathhouse, watch a blacksmith work and admire the interior decoration of an old wooden church. The Latvian Ethnographic Museum often becomes a venue for folk festivals and craft festivals, thanks to which the traditional Latvian culture becomes even closer to every tourist who has visited this hospitable country.

10. Large and Small Guilds

The Big and Small Guilds are the oldest public buildings in Riga, used for meetings, organizing banquets and other important events intended for the merchant class. These sights got 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 unsurpassed acoustics, was perfect for concerts. Today, the Riga Philharmonic is located here.

The building of the Small Guild is notable for its Gothic interior and ancient stained-glass windows dedicated to construction, shipping, trade and handicrafts. Today within the walls of the Small Guild are held large-scale events, conferences, concerts and historical balls. It will be interesting for every guest to visit the Big and Small Guilds in Riga.

11. Powder Tower

The last must-see attraction in Riga on our list is the Powder Tower. It is the only surviving fragment of the medieval city fortifications in 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 exposition of the museum presents a rich collection of weapons, military uniforms, photographs, awards and personal belongings of Latvian soldiers. The most ancient 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 exposition is devoted 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.

The historical center of Riga is the oldest and most beautiful part of the city, and it is from here that you should start your acquaintance with Latvian capital. There are many routes for exploring Old Riga: someone recommends starting your tour of the city from St. Peter's Cathedral, and someone from the Riga Castle. No matter which route you take to explore the streets of the Old Town, in any case, you will get great pleasure, because Riga is considered the most beautiful capital of the Baltic States. Although one can argue with this statement - or Tallinn is in no way inferior in beauty to Riga. In our opinion, each of these cities is beautiful in its own way, each has its own unique charm, but today's article is about Riga, or rather, about its old city.

There are several alternative versions of where the construction of Old Riga began. According to one of them, it all started at the main temple of the city - St. Peter's Cathedral, according to another, the center of ancient Riga was located not far from the Dome Cathedral. For tourists, it doesn’t matter at all where exactly the history of this beautiful city began, so let historians argue about it, and we’ll just walk around the center and enjoy its sights.

Street of Old Riga

We did not make any routes around Old Riga - the center is so small that it is difficult to get lost here, but only prepared iconic sights that were definitely worth seeing, and we moved between them quite chaotically. At the end of the article, as usual, you will find a map with the sights of Riga, with which you can create your own unique route around the Latvian capital.

Dome Cathedral in Riga (Rīgas Doms)

We started our acquaintance with Riga from the Dome Cathedral. Dome Cathedral is one of the oldest buildings Riga, and besides, one of the largest medieval temples in the Baltic. According to historical documents, the Dome Cathedral was founded in the summer of 1211, on the day of St. Jacob. The construction of the temple was led by the Bishop of Riga Albrecht von Buxgevden himself, who carefully controlled the process and invested huge funds in it. The most experienced craftsmen, mostly Germans, were chosen to build the cathedral. Construction lasted more than half a century and was completed only in 1270.

The Dome Cathedral

Over the next 500 years, numerous reconstructions were carried out, which led to the fact that in the modern building of the Dome Cathedral we can see the interweaving of various architectural styles. The main decoration of the temple is the organ, which appeared in the cathedral in 1883-1884. By its size (over 25 meters high), the Riga organ in the Dome Cathedral is the largest in the territory. former USSR. The cathedral regularly hosts organ music concerts, the schedule of which can be viewed at official website Dome Cathedral.

The Dome Cathedral

Dome Square

The square in front of the Dome Cathedral is called Doma laukums (Dome Square), it is here that the main New Year tree of Riga is set up, and the UNESCO memorial plate is also located here. As is often the case in ancient cities, almost all the buildings on Domskaya Square are of great historical importance. One of the architectural monuments is the building of the Riga stock exchange.

This red brick building, which is hard to miss, was built in 1852-1855 and is unlike other houses in Riga. Inside there is a unique exhibition art museum. The museum is open every day except Monday, from 10:00 to 18:00, and on Friday - until 20:00. The ticket price is about €3.

Riga Stock Exchange

Next to the building of the Riga Stock Exchange, you can see a beautiful building with towers - this Profitable house Riga Insurance Company, built in 1905. Next to it is another historical facade of the building of the Latvian Radio.

The building of the Riga Insurance Company and the facade of the Latvian Radio

Houses "Three brothers" (Trīs brāļi)

On Malaya Zamkova Street (Maza Pils) there are three old houses, which have gained great popularity among the residents of Riga and tourists. They have become so popular that they can rightly be considered one of the most popular attractions in Riga. It is believed that the houses were built in the Middle Ages and represent a typical Riga street of that time. The "White Brother" is not only the eldest, but also the oldest residential building in Riga, presumably it was erected in 1490.

White brother in Riga

The middle brother or "Yellow Brother" appears to be older by almost 150 years: the number "1646" flaunts on its facade. But here it is worth considering one point: since the 12th century, mainly stone buildings were built in the center of Riga, and before the middle brother took his place, other houses stood here - perhaps more an old house was simply rebuilt. The youngest brother has a green facade; its construction is attributed to the end of the 17th - beginning of the 18th century.

Three brothers in Riga

swedish gate

One more calling card Riga is the Swedish Gate - the only one of the eight gates of Old Riga, built in the 17th century and preserved to this day in its original form. The gates were cut in the area of ​​present-day Tornya Street (Tower Street) to connect the inner city with the Yakovlevsky barracks and houses located outside the city walls. The history of the Swedish Gate is entangled in secrets and legends, and one is more entertaining than the other. One of them says that the gate was cut through by a wealthy merchant in 1689 in his own house, in order to economize. The fact is that a tax was charged for entering the city and transporting goods, and rather a big one, and by making his own gate, the merchant not only saved money, but was also able to earn money by letting people into the city for a smaller fee. But this is only beautiful legend, because even in the 17th century, any redevelopment was required to be approved by the city authorities.

Swedish Gate in Riga

There is also a rather romantic legend about the origin of the unusual name of the gate. According to the legends, one young woman from Riga fell head over heels in love with a Swedish soldier and in the evening secretly ran away from her parents to meet him, which took place at these very gates. One evening, the girl was caught and punished for forbidden love by immuring her alive in this gate. If you believe the legend, then every day at midnight at the gate you can hear the whisper of a girl, but only those who truly love can do this. These are just two of the most popular stories about the Swedish Gate - tour guides say that they can easily tell a dozen more.

Yakovlevsky barracks - Jēkaba ​​kazarmas

Another bright attraction of Riga is the Ekaba barracks or the Yakovlevsky barracks. They were built for Swedish soldiers at the very end of the 17th century. According to the research of historians, the first barracks were built in Riga in 1595 and were made of wood. And this despite the fact that, starting from the XII century, almost all the buildings inside the city wall were made of stone. Only at the end of the 17th century the barracks of the Swedish soldiers were rebuilt in stone. By order of Peter the Great in 1710, the old barracks were demolished and new ones were built. The length of the Yakovlevsky barracks is 237 meters, and this is the longest building in Old Riga.

Yellow facade of the Jekaba barracks

Today, soldiers no longer live here, but inside the barracks there are many useful establishments: cafes, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, diplomatic missions of Latvian cities, the American Chamber of Commerce, and there is even a hotel, and at a great price. In a hotel Jacob's Inn Riga You can stay from 4000 rubles per day. Great option - when else will you have the opportunity to live in the sights?! 🙂

Fragment of the city wall

Directly opposite the Yakovlevsky barracks, you can see a fragment of the city wall reconstructed in 1987 and the Ramer tower. The Ramer Tower was built in the 13th century and, like the other towers of the Riga citadel, was part of the city's fortifications. Later, houses appeared around it, and it lost its former significance, in fact, the same thing happened with the rest of the towers. For example, the tower located at the Swedish Gate was built into the house that appeared in its place. The modern wall and tower are, of course, a reconstruction made on the basis of archaeological excavations.

Fragment of the city wall in Riga and urban development

Ramer tower

17th century cannon near the city walls

powder tower

But perhaps the most striking sight of this part of Riga is the Powder Tower. The first mention of this tower dates back to 1330, and then it was called Peschanaya. It is known that its modern look Powder Tower acquired not immediately. Initially, it was semicircular and had a so-called "open" appearance, but later it was completed and acquired a cylindrical shape. The tower is almost 20 meters in diameter, 26 meters high, and the walls are up to 3 meters thick. As we have already said, the tower was originally called Peschanaya, and only in the 17th century it received the name "Powder Tower". As it is not difficult to guess, a powder warehouse was organized in it, although there is another version, according to which, due to the constant exercises conducted nearby, there were always clouds of powder smoke above it.

Powder Tower in Riga

During its long history, the Powder Tower in Riga had to endure a lot of shelling: both during the Russian-Swedish war, and during the Swedish-Polish war, and according to legend, at the beginning of the 18th century, Peter the Great himself fired at it. There are still embedded cores in the walls of the tower, which allegedly confirm this version. In the XVIII and XIX centuries the tower was empty, but then they decided to put it in order, and within its walls there was a student club with a fencing hall, a dance hall and even a student cafe. Today, the Powder Tower houses one of the expositions of the Latvian Military Museum.

big guild

Let's move on from the military sights of Riga to the architectural ones. In 1354, a large merchant organization or simply the Great Guild was founded in Riga. Such a well-known and rich organization, of course, had its own building, which at the same time served as a gathering place, a warehouse, and a place where important receptions were held. The building of that time has not survived to this day, but if desired, its fragment can be seen in the basement - it was partially possible to save the wall of the very first building of the Great Guild. The modern guild building was built in the middle of the 19th century according to the design of Carl Binet, and later the building was partially rebuilt and modified. Today, the main hall of the Latvian Philharmonic is located here.

The building of the Great Guild in 1918 (postcard)

small guild

The Great Guild, as a rule, accepted wealthy merchants, priests, city officials, as well as artisans who dealt in gold. Everyone else had no choice but to join the Small Guild. Surprisingly, the Little Guild appeared more than 100 years earlier - in 1226. The residence of this organization is located right there, in the center of Riga, directly opposite the building of the Great Guild.

Its construction began at the very beginning of the 13th century, and subsequently it was rebuilt quite often. Outwardly, the Small Guild resembles a small Livonian castle and, for our taste, architecturally looks much more interesting. Nowadays, the Craft School is located within the walls of the Small Guild. But to tell the truth, the guilds were of little interest to us, and we came to this part of the Old Town to see the house with black cats - another famous landmark of Riga.

house with black cats

It is believed that the House with Black Cats in Old Riga is one of the most interesting buildings, and around which a huge number of legends go. One of the most famous, of course, is associated with cats, or rather, with their appearance on the roof of an apartment building.

House with black cats in Riga

According to one of the legends, Blumer, a wealthy landlord and merchant, was refused admission to the Big Guild, but he was a man with humor and decided to use a psychological attack against the leadership of the organization. He ordered two black sculptures of cats and placed them on the roof of his house in such a way that they were unfolded directly into the windows of the elder of the Great Guild. The latter's pride was wounded, he even started a lawsuit against Blumer, but lost, since the owner of the house was good friend judge and gave him generous gifts. After some time (what exactly - history is silent) the cats were nevertheless deployed and no longer embarrassed the elder - apparently the merchant and the guild managed to come to an agreement.

St. Peter's Church

St. Peter's Church in Riga is one of the most visited sights, there are always a lot of people here, and a decent queue forms at the observation deck. Like the Swedish Gate, Peter's Cathedral is very often found on many souvenirs. The first mention of the temple dates back to the beginning of the 13th century, when it was assumed that it would become the main cathedral of Riga. Unlike the Dome Cathedral, the main funds for the construction of St. Peter's Church did not come from the bishop, but from ordinary people: artisans, merchants and ordinary residents of the city.

St. Peter's Cathedral in Riga

In the XIV-XV centuries, periodic reconstructions of the church were carried out, and as a result of one of them, in 1473, the construction of the bell tower was completed. The bell tower of St. Peter's Church can be seen from almost anywhere in the Old Town.

Steeple of Saint Peter's Church

During the defense of Riga in June 1941, St. Peter's Church was badly damaged, and the famous spire was completely destroyed. The walls of the temple were also badly damaged, and the interior decoration was not preserved. Almost until the mid-1960s, one of the most beautiful temples Riga was in ruins, and only in 1966 the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Latvia decided to restore it. Appearance Peter's Church was repaired quite quickly - the spire was completed already in 1973, but the internal restoration dragged on for another 10 years, until 1983.