Schwab house
6 Rātslaukums (Townhallsquare),
Riga, LV–1050, Latvia
Telephone: +371 7037900
Fax: +371 7037910
tourinfo@riga.lv
www.rigatourism.com
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Content
Welcome to Riga!
3
History of Riga
5
Riga in Figures
9
The unit of money
in the Republic of Latvia
13
How to reach Riga?
15
Museums
18
Concert halls
21
Theatres
21
Cinemas
21
The Most Notable Locations
in Old Riga
23
Art Nouveau
28
Traditions and holidays
33
Where to call
in urgent situtations?
34
Useful links
34
Riga Tourism Coordination
and Information Centre
35
Welcome to Riga!
Are you visiting Rīga, the Latvian capital city, for the very
first time, dear visitor? If so, then you are in for a treat.
This is an ancient city, it celebrated its 800th anniversary
in 2001. From the day when a German bishop alit from
his ship in the Daugava River and thought that this would
be a good spot for a town, Rīga has gone through the
vagaries of history, governed over the course of the centuries by Germans, Swedes and Russians. And yet it has
maintained a uniquely Latvian spirit and appearance, and
I have no question but that you will absolutely love it.
What does Rīga have to offer? Well, start with the Old
City. The oldest part of the grand Dome Cathedral, for
instance, dates back to the 13th century. Go find the
“three brothers” – Rīga’s three oldest residential buildings.
Take the lift up to the top of the tower at St Peter’s Church
for a magnificent view of the surroundings. If you’re here
in the summer, enjoy a beer or a coffee at one of the
many outdoor cafés and beer gardens.
Outside of the Old City, there is so much that the city
has to offer. Rīga is known as the Art Nouveau capital
of Northern Europe, and if you are a fan of architecture,
the relevant neighbourhood will be of interest to you.
During the season, you can take a boat ride from the city
centre to the green area known as Mežaparks, complete
with the city’s wonderful zoo. A bit outside the city is the
magnificent Latvian Open-Air Ethnographic Museum. In
the first half of the 20th century, buildings from farms all
over Latvia were disassembled, brought to the site, and
put back together again. Features include a working
church and a blacksmith’s shop, where you can watch
the ancient art of blacksmithing. Another place from
which to get a bird’s-eye view of the city is the 26th floor
of the Hotel Latvija. Aside from the Dome Cathedral and
St Peter’s, there are many interesting churches. Latvia’s
religious history includes Roman Catholicism, Lutheranism and Russian Orthodoxy. The grand cathedral that
stands near the noble Freedom Monument was used
as an astronomic observatory during the atheistic Soviet
period, but now it is back to its original purpose, and it
is gorgeous.
I’ll bet many of you who are reading this are not in Latvia
for the first time. Visit once, and you’ll fall in love with
the country, that is a guarantee. Whether you’re here
for the first time or 50th, you will find something new to
enjoy. Welcome!
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3
History of Riga
1198
1201
1211
1225-1226
1282
1297-1330
1521-1524
1524
1558-1583
1561-1581
1581
1584-1589
1588
1600-1629
1621
1656-1661
1700-1721
1710
1773
1782
4
As a Liv Village, Riga exists since the 11th
century.
For the first time the name of Riga was
mentioned in the chronicles.
Bishop Albert, the Lord of the Bremen’s
Town Hall, founded Riga as a medieval
town.
The first school - Dom School - was
founded in Riga.
The Riga Town Council was established.
The coat of arms of Riga was created.
Riga joined the Hanseatic League.
The war between the Livonian Order and
the Town of Riga.
The start of the Reformation in Latvia. Riga
became a Lutheran town.
The first public library was founded.
The Livonian War. As a result, Riga was incorporated into the Polish-Lithuanian state.
Riga obtained the status of a free town.
Riga swore loyalty to Stephan Batory, the
King of Poland and Lithuania.
As a result of the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar, “Calendar Unrests” broke
out and were used by the Guilds and the
Town Council to fight for the dominance
in the city.
The first printing house - the Mollin printing
house - was opened in Riga.
The Polish - Swedish War.
Riga was taken over by Sweden.
The Russian - Swedish War; Riga was
besieged by the army of the Russian tzar
Aleksey.
The Great Northern War; Riga was besieged by the Saxonian -Russian forces.
Riga was conquered by the Russian tsar
Peter the Great.
The first museum - the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation - was opened.
The first public theatre was opened in Riga.
5
1812
1857-1863
1868
1873
2nd half of
the 19th
century
1901
1914
1915
18.11.1918
11.11.1919
1920-1921
1920-1940
17.06.1940
14.06.1941
01.07.1941
13.10.1944
1949
1988
04.05.1990
21.08.1991
2001
6
The Napoleon’s army approached Riga
and Riga’s suburbs were burnt down; preconditions for the present street plan and
construction were created.
The dismantling of the Riga’s fortification
walls started.
The foundation of the Riga’s Latvian Society.
The period of the Latvian national awakening.
The first Latvia’s Song Festival.
Riga - one of the most important cities in
Russia, with flourishing industry and trade.
Riga’s 700th anniversary.
Beginning of World War I.
Industrial enterprises were evacuated from
Riga as the front line approached.
The independent State of Latvia was proclaimed in Riga.
The Bermondt troops were defeated near
Riga.
The peace treaty was signed between Latvia and Soviet Russia. Latvia was recognized
de jure by Western powers.
Riga became the Latvia’s administrative,
cultural, industrial, trade and educational
centre.
Riga was occupied by the Soviet Army and
the Soviet regime was established.
The 1st mass deportation of the Latvian
population to Siberia in Russia.
Riga was occupied by the German troops.
Riga was recaptured by the Soviet troops
and the Soviet regime was re-established.
The 2nd mass deportation of the Latvian
population.
The start of the 3rd national awakening to
restore the independence of Latvia.
The Declaration “On the Restoration of the
Independence of Latvia” was adopted.
Latvia declared itself an independent democratic state.
The 800th anniversary of Riga.
7
Riga in Figures
Riga is the capital of the Republic of Latvia, the state‘s
administrative and political centre and the largest city in
the Baltic States. Riga is located in the coastal lowlands
on the banks of the River Daugava, close to its estuary in
the Gulf of Riga.
The geographic location
Latvia’s place on the map of the world has always
brought along not only welfare, but also a wide variety of
disasters. Often enough the people of Latvia have been
forced into a sense of hopelessness. Over the course of
the centuries, countless invaders have tried to make this
small country on the shore of the Baltic Sea a part of their
empires.
Latvia is in the very centre of the continent of Europe, and
it is no accident that it is often called a bridge between
the East and the West. The Latvian capital city of Rīga can
be accessed with equal speed and ease from Moscow
and from the largest cities of Western Europe.
Latvia is 64,589 km2 in size, and it has 1,865 kilometres
of border - 1,350 on land.
Area
The area of Riga covers 307,17 km2.
Residential areas
Streets and roads
Industrial areas
Water
Parks
21,8%
8,0%
17,0%
15,8%
19,0%
67,00km2
24,64km2
52,45km2
48,50km2
57,54km2
Riga is divided into 6 administrative districts: Vidzemes district, Latgales district, Zemgales district, Kurzemes district,
Ziemeļu district and Centra district.
Religion
Christianity arrived in Latvia from the West and the East.
The church is separate from the state in Latvia, although
since the restoration of the country’s independence, the
importance of religion in the everyday lives of Latvia’s residents has increased to a significant degree. Increasing
numbers of parents wish to Christen their children, while
young couples more and more often wish to get married in church. Traditionally, the largest denominations in
Latvia have been the Lutheran, the Roman Catholic and
the Russian Orthodox churches.
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9
Visitors to Riga can also enjoy the Mežaparks cultural
and leisure park, the Riga Zoo, as well as the Riga Circus,
which is one of the oldest fixed-site circuses in Europe.
Education
At the beginning of 2004, there were 37 institutions of
higher learning and colleges in the city of Rīga, 14 of
them state-run. There are also 171 general education
schools and 36 institutions where a professional education can be pursued.
Language
The state language in Latvia is Latvian. Latvian is an
Indo-European language, part of the Baltic branch of
languages. The only two living languages in the branch
are Latvian and Lithuanian. Many people in Latvia also
speak Russian.
Population
Latvia has fewer than 2.4 million residents at this writing.
The ethnic composition of the population has changed
again and again over the last several centuries, and Latvia
has always been inhabited by representatives of various
ethnic groups. Latvia is certainly a multi-national country.
The majority of Latvia’s residents have long since lived in
cities and towns. Rural regions tend to be quite sparsely
populated.
At the beginning of 2006, there were 735,241 permanent inhabitants in Riga. The density of the population
was 2393 inhabitants per km2. The following nationalities reside in Riga:
Climate
Average air temperature:
January – 6,0 °C
July
+16,8 °C
Information: www.meteo.lv
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11
The unit of money
in the Republic
of Latvia
1 Lat (1 Ls = 100 santims)
The Lat is freely convertible currency. The exchange rate set by
the Bank of Latvia on
1 Oktober 2005: 1 USD = 0.58 Ls, 1 EUR = 0.7028 Ls
Banks in Latvia
23 licensed credit institutions are operating in Latvia.
German, Swedish, Finnish, Estonian and Russian banks are included among shareholders in Latvian banks, along with several
major international financial institutions like the European Bank
for Reconstruction and Development, Swedfund, etc.
The national currency - the lats - was introduced in 1993. You
can get 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, 100- and 500- lats banknotes, and 1-,
2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, 50- santims and 1- and 2- lats and 100- coins.
Most Latvian banks are open from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM on
weekdays, while some are also open on Saturday mornings.
Credit cards can be used in Latvia, and the most common ones
are VISA International, Eurocard and MasterCard. Less commonly found are American Express, Diner’s Club and Eurocheque.
All of the aforementioned cards can be used to withdraw cash
advances from ATMs.
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13
How to reach Riga?
RIGA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Since Latvia’s accession to the European Union “Riga International Airport” has provided rapid growth of air traffic
each year. While back in 2003 nearly 712 000 passengers
were handled, in 2004 figures grew by 49% exceeding
one million and aircraft movements increased by 40.1%.
The year 2005 was even more dynamic, as passenger figures rose by 77.1% hitting almost 1.9 million and aircraft
movements went by 26.4% up. The beginning of 2006
has also been promising, as from January to April passenger figures have grown by 46.1% and aircraft movements by 10.2% over 2004. These figures represent the
fastest growth rate among Europe’s hub airports.
While in 2003 only 18 routes of direct flights linked Riga
to other cities, currently the number has doubled. Since
2004 “Austrian Airlines”, “KLM”, “Ryanair”, “Uzbekistan Airways”, “easyJet”, “Aer Lingus”, “Norwegian Air Shuttle”,
“Turkish Airlines” have been operating to Riga. The above
three low-cost airlines joining Latvia’s aviation market contributed both to inflow of tourists in Riga and growth of
Latvia’s tourism infrastructure.
Considering the sharp rise in passenger figures and aircraft movements, further infrastructural development
and terminal extension is indispensable. Investors will
be involved in developing airport’s Business Park. Its territory is split into several zones and tenants are located
by the field of activity. Business Park will comprise cargo
handling area, production units, office buildings, service
centres and hotel.
Accession to the EU has broadened Latvia’s economic
area, as its Eastern borders have now become the EU’s
borders. Changes to the aviation industry cannot be
treated in complete isolation from changes to domestic
economics. Riga represents part of an aviation industry,
which is an indicative of tendencies in economic development: this indication is very favourable for Latvia. No
other branches of the domestic economy face a comparable growth rate.
E-mail : office@riga-airport.com
http://www.riga-airport.com
The airport is located 13km from the centre of Riga.
Sea traffic
TALLINK Grupp AS is the leading international shipping
company in the Baltic Sea area. TALLINK owns and operates vessels meaning passenger ferries, including cruise
ferries and high-speed ferries, and ro-ro cargo vessels on
14
15
routes between Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia and
Sweden. Providing high quality cruise and passenger
service, TALLINK is also an important player in sea cargo
transportation on the Baltic Sea.
AS Tallink Latvija
Riga Passenger Port
3a Eksporta Str., Riga, LV-1010
Booking and information phone: + 371 709 9700
E-mail: booking@tallink.lv
Cargo phone: +371 709 9707
E-mail: cargo@tallink.lv
Bus traffic
Direct trips from Riga to Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece,
Great Britain, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine.
Distances to and from Rīga (kilometres)
Berlin – 1255
Helsinki – 360
Moscow – 923
Minsk – 470
Oslo – 840
St. Petersburg – 560
Stockholm – 440
Tallinn - 307
Warsaw - 660
Vilnius - 289
Riga International Busstation
1 Pragas Street, Riga, LV-1050
www.autoosta.lv
JSC
Rīg
Information pay-phone +371 9000009
Ticket reservation pay-phone +371 9001111
Ticket booth for international routes 7212402
E-mail: autoosta@autoosta.lv
Inf
Tic
Tic
E-m
ww
Ecolines
www.ecolines.lv
Eurolines
www.eurolines.lv
Railway traffic
Central terminal station
1 Stacijas laukums (Railwaysquare), Riga, LV-1050
www.ldz.lv
www.pv.lv
Railway traffic (without transfer) connects Riga with Moscow,
St.Petersburg, Vilnius, Odessa, Adlera, Vitebsk, Gomel, Truskavets, Simferopol.
Imformation phone: +371 7231181
Booking phone +371 7216664,
+371 7233397, +371 7232133
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MUSEUMS
Andrejs Upitis
Memorial Museum
38 Brīvības Street, flat 4
+371 7289767
2,3,4,5,6 11:00–17:00
Metzendorff’s House CityDwellers’ House Museum
18 Grēcinieku Street
+371 7212951
3,4,5,6,7 10:00–17:00
Aleksandrs Caks
Memorial Flat
48/50 Lāčplēša Street, flat 14
+371 7285336
2,3,4,5,6 11:00–17:00
Literature, Theatre and
Music Museum
2 and 3 Pils Square
+371 7221956
3,4,5,6,7 11:00–18:00
Latvian Museum
of Architecture
19 Mazā pils Street
+371 7220779
1,2,3,4,5 9:00–17:00
Ojars Vacietis
Memorial Museum
19 O. Vācieša Street
+371 7618775
3,5 13:00–19:00
4,6,7 11:00–17:00
Museum of Foreign Art
3 Pils Square
+371 7226467
2,3,4,5,6,7 11:00–17:00
Riga Film Museum
3 Šmerļa Street
+371 7545099
2,3,4,5,6 12:00–17:00
Museum of the History of
Riga and Navigation
4 Palasta Street
+371 7356676
1.05.–1.10.
4,5,6,7 10:00–17:00, 3 11:00–19.00
1.10.–1.05. 3–7 11.00–17.00
Riga Motormuseum
6 S. Eizenšteina Street
+371 7097170
1,2,3,4,5,6,7 10:00–18:00
Firefighting Museum of
Latvia
5 Hanzas Street
+371 7331334
3,4,5,6,7 10:00–17:00
Herbarium of the
University of Latvia
2 Kandavas Street
+371 7450852
1.05.–1.10. 1–7 9:00–19:00
1.10.–1.05. 1–7 9:00–16:00
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Pauls Stradins Museum of
the History of Medicine
1 Antonijas Street
+371 7222656
2,3,4,5,6 11:00–17:00
St. Peter’s Lutheran
Church
19 Skārņu Street
+371 7229426
2,3,4,5,6,7 10:00–18.00
State Museum of Art
10 a Kr. Valdemāra Street
+371 7324461
1.05.–1.10.
1,3,5,6,7 11:00–17:00, 4 11:00–19:00
1.10.–1.05. 3–7 11.00–17.00
State Museum of Art
The Exhibition hall “Arsenals”
1 Torņa Street
+371 7357521
1.05.–1.10. 2–7 11:00–18:00
1.10.–1.05. 2–7 11:00–17:00
Museum of Decorative
Applied Arts
10/20 Skārņu Street
+371 7830907
2,4,5,6,7 11:00–17:00
3 11:00–19:00
Dome Cathedral
6 Herdera Square
+371 7213213
1.05.–1.10. 2–7 9:00–18:00
1.10.–1.05. 2–7 10:00–18:00
Latvian Railway History
Museum, Riga Branch
2/4 Uzvaras blvd.
+371 7232849
2,3,4,5,6 10:00–17:00
Museum and
Documentation Centre
“Jews in Latvia”
6 Skolas Street
+371 7283484
1,2,3,4,7 12:00–17:00
Eduards Smilgis
Theatre Museum
37/39 E. Smiļģa Street
+371 7611893
3,4,5,6,7 11:00–18:00
Ethnographic Open-air
Museum of Latvia
440 Brīvības gatve
+371 7994106
+371 7994515
1,2,3,4,5,6,7 10:00–17:00
Museum of Pharmacy
13 Vāgnera Street
+371 7213008
2,3,4,5,6 10:00–17:00
Janis Akuraters Museum
6a O.Vācieša Street
+371 7619934
3,4,5,6,7 11:00–18:00
Janis Rozentals and
Rudolfs Blaumanis
Museum
12 Alberta Street, flat 9
+371 7331641
3,4,5,6,7 11:00–18:00
Jekabs Primanis
Anatomy Museum
9 Kronvalda blvd.
+371 7325104
To book in advance
Krisjanis Barons Museum
3 Kr. Barona Street, flat 5
+371 7284265
3,4,5,6,7 11:00–18:00
Latvian Museum of
Natural History
4 Kr. Barona Street
+371 7356031
4 10:00–18:00
3,5,6 10:00–17:00
7 10:00–16:00
Latvian Museum of
Photography
8 Mārstaļu Street
+371 7221922
2,5,6 10:00–17:00
3,4 12:00–19:00
(Last day of months is closed)
Latvian War Museum
20 Smilšu Street
+371 7223743
3,4,5,6,7 10:00–18:00
Latvian Culture Museum
“Dauderi”
30 Sarkandaugavas Street
+371 7391780
+371 7392229
1,3,4,5,6,7 11:00–17:00
Latvian Sport Museum
9 Alksnāja Street
+371 7225127
+371 7211365
2,3,4,5 10:00–17:00
6 11:00–17:00
History Museum of Latvia
3 Pils Square
+371 7221357
3,4,5,6,7 11:00–17:00
Museum of the
Occupation of Latvia
1 Strēlnieku Square
+ 371 7212715
3,4,5,6,7 11:00–18:00
Blackheads House
7 Rātslaukums
+371 7044300
1.05.–1.10. 2–7 10:00–17:00
1.10.–1.05. 2–7 11:00–17:00
Barricades’ Museum
3 Krāmu Street
+371 7213525
1,2,3,4,5 10:00–17:00
6 11:00–17:00
Aircraft’s Museum
Airport “Rīga”
+371 6862707
2,3,4,5,6,7 8:00–19:00
To book in advance
The Riga Porcelain
Museum
9/11 Kalēju Street
(Konventa Sēta)
+371 7503769
2,3,4,5,6,7 11:00–18:00
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Theatres
Latvian National opera
www.opera.lv
Latvijas Dailes teātris
www.dailesteatris.lv
Latvian National theatre
Concert
halls
Concert Hall “Ave Sol”,
St.Peter – Pavil Church
Concert Hall
“The Big Guild”
www.music.lv/orchestra
“The Small Guild” –
Riga Culture and
folk art centre
www.gilde.lv/maza
House of Blackheads
http://nami.riga.lv/mn
Riga Dome Church
concerthall
www.concert.lv
Wagner Concert Hall
www.concert.lv
Riga Latvian Society
house
www.rlb.lv
Riga Congress Hall
www.rigacongress.lv
St. Peter’s Church
www.peterbaznica.lv
Anglican Church
www.anglicanriga.lv
St. John's Church
www.janabaznica.lv
www.teatris.lv
Jaunais Rīgas Teātris
(New Riga Theatre)
www.jrt.lv
“KABATA”,
independent theatre
THEATRE TT
www.teatristt.lv
“HAMLETS” theatre-club
www.hamlets.valsts.lv
Latvian State puppet
theatre
www.puppet.lv
Riga Circus
www.cirks.lv
Riga Russian drama
theatre
www.trd.lv
“SKATUVE”,
independent theatre
Riga Pantomime
www.pantomima.lv
Theatre group
"United Intimacy"
www.unitedintimacy.lv
Cinemas
Coca-Cola Plaza
www.forumcinemas.lv
Daile
Latvian Music Academy
www.forumcinemas.lv
The Great Hall
K. Suns
Sapņu fabrika
(Dream factory)
www.kinogalerija.lv
www.sapnufabrika.lv
Kinogalerija
www.kinogalerija.lv
www.music.lv/academy/lv Rīga
www.cinema-riga.lv
Latvian University
The multifunctional arena
www.arenariga.lv
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Kinogrāfs
www.kinografs.lv
21
The Most Notable
Locations in
Old Riga
The Dome Cathedral
Doma laukums 1
The cornerstone for the Dome Cathedral, which is the
seat of the archbishop of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church, was laid on 1211. The architecture of the
church includes elements of Early Gothic, Baroque and
other styles, but the main building and the attached cloister form a harmonic ensemble nevertheless. This is the
largest church building in Latvia, and inside one can find
many art treasures.
St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
Skārņu iela 19
One of the most ancient examples of Medieval churches
in the Baltic region, St. Peter’s was first built in the 13th
century, although since then it has gone through a number of building periods. A Baroque wooden steeple was
installed in 1690 - the highest in the world at the time.
The church was burned down during World War II and
restored only in 1973. The metal steeple is 123.25 metres high. The interior of the church contains ancient epitaphs and burial plaques.
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Skārņu iela 24
The church began its life as a chapel for a Dominican
cloister that was established in 1234. It became a church
in the late 13th century, and in 1582 it became the first
Latvian church in Rīga. The architecture of the church
features a step-type pediment and magnificent arches
inside. Major works of sacral art can be seen inside the
church.
22
St. Jacob’s Catholic Church
Klostera iela 2
Work on this Early Gothic structure began around 1226,
according to written documents. This period of construction is represented in the interior of the church by its
arches. The Late Gothic period was the time when the
attached St. Cross chapel was built. For a time it housed
a lyceum - one of the first educational institutions of its
kind in Rīga. The steeple was installed in 1756. There is
a clock in its base, and a bell to ring alarms was installed
in the upper portion of the structure.
23
The Melngalvju
(Blackheads) House
Rātslaukums 7
The origins of this structure date back to the 14th century,
when a building was put up for the needs of city officials
and tradesmen. The so-called Blackheads Society, whose
patron was St. Mauritius, took over the building in the 15th
century, although the name “Blackheads House” dates
back only to 1687. In 1713, the society won full ownership rights to the building. It once contained one of the
world’s richest collections of silver objects. The building
was destroyed during World War II, but on June 29, 1995,
the foundations for the structure that is seen today were
laid. A memorial capsule was inserted into the foundations. Work on the restoration was completed in 1999.
The Small Guild
Amatu iela 6
The Small Guild was established in the mid-14th century,
bringing together Rigensian craftsmen. It was during the
same period that the building was put up. The guild issued regulations related to the work of artisans in Rīga.
The patron saint of the guild is John the Baptist. The
present-day building was built between 1864 and 1866
on the basis of a design from the distinguished architect
Johan Daniel Felsko. It is an example of the British NeoGothic style. The beautiful interiors of the Small Guild
building were restored in 2000.
The Large Guild
Amatu iela 5
The Large Guild, for its part, was established in 1354 by
tradesmen in Rīga, and the guild monopolised trade in
the city until the 19th century. The patron saint of the
guild is St. Mary. Fragments of the building’s original,
14th-century interiors can still be seen in the form of
an ancient column. The present-day structure was put
up between 1854 and 1857. Today the building is the
home of the Latvian Philharmonic Orchestra.
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The Gunpowder Tower
Smilšu iela 20
This is one of the towers which helped to form the formerly walled city’s fortifications. Initially known as the
Sand Tower, it dates back to 1330. It was rebuilt several
times and took on its present identity in the 17th century – logically enough because gunpowder was stored
in the tower. A military museum was installed in the
tower in 1919. A new museum structure was attached
between 1937 and 1939, and today there is an interesting and extensive exhibition at the facility.
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The Three Brothers
Mazā Pils iela 19
The “three brothers” are an example of Medieval residential structures in Rīga - three buildings that were put up
on very narrow strips of land. The façades and interiors
provide a textbook example of the development of architecture over the course of time. Mazā Pils iela 17 is
the oldest stone residential building in Rīga (late 15th,
early 16th century), and its distinctive chimney has been
preserved. The façade is accepted with a step-type pediment and a Gothic niche. Number 19 was put up in
1646, while Number 21 took on its appearance in the
late 17th century. One of the walls in the interior yard of
the structure contains the oldest known city emblem of
Rīga, along with some stone portals.
The Rīga Castle
Pils laukums 3
The castle was built in 1330 as a residence for the master
of the Livonian Order. The building was sacked in 1448,
and in subsequent decades it was rebuilt a number of
times. Eventually it lost its Medieval appearance. The
lead tower was put up in the early 16th century, while
the so-called three star tower was erected in 1938. A
new three-story addition was attached between 1785
and 1787 for the needs of the provincial institutions in
the city. The White Hall was installed in 1818. In 1938
the architect Eižens Laube redesigned the interiors so that
they could be used by the government for ceremonial
occasions. The Red Hall was one of the results. The president of Latvia has offices and ceremonial facilities in the
castle at this time but does not live there. The complex
also contains several museums.
The Freedom Monument
At the crossing of Brīvības bulvāris and Raiņa bulvāris
The Freedom Monument is a symbol of Latvia’s freedom
and independence, erected by the architects Kārlis Zāle
and Ernests Štālbergs. People donated money for the
project, which was completed in 1935. On the front
wall of the monument is the inscription “Tēvzemei un
Brīvībai”, or “For the Fatherland and Freedom” - an expression of the meaning of the monument.
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5. Kalēju Street 6
The building is decorated with flower motifs – engraved
ornaments which were typical of late Art Nouveau. Look
at the metal ornamentation – the flag is held by a stylised
dragon.
7. Tirgoņu Street 4
(1900, H. Scheel, F. Scheel, W. Hahn)
Another building owned by Detmann, this one an apartment building and shop, but with a difference façade.
9. Smilšu Street 2
(1902, K. Pēkšēns)
Specialists say that this is a true jewel of Art Nouveau architecture in Rīga. The decorative building, with figures
of women and masks, is typical of the style. The figure of
the peacock is also one of the symbols of the beauty and
nobility of Art Nouveau. On the mansard windows you
see the common motif of the sun. The figure of a goddess
that is seen under the pediment is considered to be the
most beautiful Art Nouveau sculpture of a woman in all of
Rīga’s Art Nouveau world.
4. Teātra Street 9
(1903, H. Scheel, F. Scheel)
This building represents a combination of Art Nouveau
with the Baroque. The building was once owned by a
seller of books and antiquities, which is why the reliefs on
the corner of the façade depict figures from mythology
– Athena and Hermes. The building is crowned by figures
of Atlas, carrying a globe which is made of glass and zinc
on their shoulders. At night, the globe is lit up. This was a
major demonstration of the technologies of the day.
6. Šķūņu Street 10/12
(1902, H. Scheel, F. Scheel)
A rental building and optics store at one time owned by
a man called Detmann, which why you see the initials
“H.D.” in the façade. The building is richly ornamented
with elements of the world of flora. The dogs on the pediment are clearly there to “guard” the building.
Smilšu Street was the most important street in Rīga until
the 17th century. Today it is sometimes known as the Rīga
equivalent of Wall Street – banks, more banks, the Finance
Ministry and luxurious office buildings at every step.
8. Smilšu Street 1/3
(1906, N. Proskurnyin)
This building was commissioned by an insurance company called “Rossiya”, and that may be why the centre of
the façade features an allegorical figure of Hope.
N o u v e a u
3. Kalēju Street 23
(1903, P. Mandelstam)
The facade of this building reflects eclectic and decorative Art Nouveau. Of interest is the corner portal with the
gilded sun, shaped to resemble the crown of a tree.
2. Audēju Street 9
(1900, K. Pēkšēns)
This is a building in which Historicism coincides with Art
Nouveau. The solar motif on the pediment of the building can be encountered elsewhere, too. This was a key
element in Art Nouveau, depicting the flourishing of new
life.
A r t
A r t
N o u v e a u
1. Audēju Street 7
(1899, A. Aschenkampf, M. Šervinskis)
This was the first Art Nouveau building in Rīga. Look at the
façade of the building, and you will see the classical elements of the style – stylised plants (irises, blooming trees,
reedmace), as well as mascarons (human faces of a fantastic appearance). The mansard story of the building is
encircled with ornamental metal railings.
10. Smilšu Street 3
(1910, A. Medlinger, H. Seiberlich)
A typical “vertical Art Nouveau” building. Initially a bank,
the building therefore features figural reliefs on the entrance portal on Smilšu Street. These represent the idea
of a bank as an international institution. The building still
houses a bank.
11. Smilšu Street 6
(1912, W. Bockslaff)
A rational Art Nouveau building influenced by Neoclassicism, which is seen in the gilded ornament. This building,
too, houses a bank.
12. Smilšu Street 8
(1902, H. Scheel, F. Scheel)
This building features a wealth of mascarons, hybrid forms,
elements of flora – all of this typical of eclectic, decorative
Art Nouveau. Specialists say that the entrance hall is a
masterpiece of ornamental forms which express the praise
of living nature that was typical of Art Nouveau.
13. Smilšu Street 10
(1910, E. Pole)
This is a typical of late, rational and applied Art Nouveau
with stylised elements of Neoclassicism.
14. Vaļņu Street 2
(1910, E. Friesendorf)
The entrance portal to this “vertical Art Nouveau” building,
with its sculptural reliefs, is seen as one of the most expressive elements of late Art Nouveau in Rīga. We see images
from Ancient Greek mythology – Asclepius (the god of
medicine) and the Moirae Atropos (goddess of fate). This
symbolises the idea of human life, health and work.
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17. Elizabetes Street 10b
(1903, M. Eisenstein)
Much beloved by photographers, this building has been
declared by specialists as a unique example of international Art Nouveau, with many symbols, ornaments and
geometric forms.
18. Elizabetes Street 10a
(1903, M. Eisenstein)
19. Elizabetes Street 33
(1901, M. Eisenstein)
This building features a brightly decorated façade, one
which depicts nearly all of the historical styles of architecture that were used over the centuries. There are Art Nouveau elements in the mix – masks, plant motifs, etc.
Alberta Street
Alberta Street is named for Bishop Albert, who founded
Rīga in 1201. Architecture along this street is among the
most vivid and ornate in all of Rīga. Alberta Street was built
up in a relatively short period of time – between 1901 and
1908. The 14 buildings on the street are a good example
of how applied and practical styles can be merged with
artistic and emotional enjoyment.
One-half of the buildings on the street were built by
Mikhail Eisenstein, father of the legendary film director
Sergei Eisenstein. Eisenstein père designed the buildings
at Alberta Street 2, 2a, 4, 6, 13 and 8. All of the buildings
are U-shaped. Bedrooms were in the garden wings of the
building, and at the end of the halls there were kitchens
with an exit to the servants’ stairwell. All of the buildings
are of the same height, which creates the impression that
there is just one building there.
Of interest is the building at Alberta Street 2a, which has
an additional story used only for the placement of decorative elements. Ceiling and wall paintings in the entrance
hall and stairwell were restored in 1993.
After restoration, the Eisenstein buildings at Alberta Street
13 and Strēlnieku Street 4a have regained their former
glory. These house the Rīga School of Law and the Rīga
School of Economics. Along with these noble universities, the Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences of the
University of Latvia is housed at Alberta Street 10 (P. Mandelstam). Alberta Street, in other words, could be called
a street of students.
A bit different is the building at Alberta Street 12, which
was designed by one of the first ethnic Latvian architects
to be educated in Rīga, Konstantīns Pēkšēns (together
with Eižens Laube). Pēkšēns owned the building until
1909. Here we see the style of National Romanticism,
with pine cones and squirrels. The building has an impressive stairwell with a spiral staircase and vivid paintings on
the ceiling. Museums commemorating the great Latvian
painter Jānis Rozentāls and the distinguished author and
playwright Rūdolfs Blaumanis are housed here.
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16. Antonijas Street 8
(1903, K. Pēkšēns)
On the façade of the building, we see a powerful accent,
with winged dragons under the pediment. Dragons were
much beloved by Art Nouveau architects. There are more
stylised dragons in the upper part of the façade.
The café with the romantic name of the “Flying Frog” is
interesting for its interior stained glass windows. Specialists
have declared that some of them are authentic.
Elizabetes Street is known for many interesting buildings of
the styles of Eclecticism and Art Nouveau. One short stretch
of the street is distinguished by three buildings with a particular wealth of façade decorations and ornamentation.
N o u v e a u
15. J. Alunāna Street 2a, A. Pumpura Street 5
(1906, A. Lindberg, K. Vasasherna, A. Vanags)
This building is in the style of National Romanticism and
was designed by Finnish architects. It was Finnish architecture which inspired architects in Rīga to develop National Romanticism in their city. Here we see a creative
depiction of the building forms and ethnographic ornaments of the Latvian people.
The grandest and most important Art Nouveau buildings
in Rīga are found in the Central District – more than 700
buildings, representing approximately 40% of all buildings
in the city centre.
A r t
A r t
N o u v e a u
As we leave Old Rīga, we find ourselves at Bastejkalns
Hill.The “hill” was created as the fortification walls of Medieval Rīga were torn town. The terraces on the hill are a
very popular place for leisure, both among the people of
Rīga and their guests. That was true in the late 19th and
early 20th century, and it is still true today.
Opposite is the building at Alberta Street 11, which was
designed by E. Laube. Specialists see this as one of the
best examples of National Romanticism in the Art Nouveau architecture of Rīga.
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Traditions and
holidays
The traditions and festivals of ancient Latvians were all
related to the rhythms of nature and the placement of
the Sun in the sky. Holidays relating to religious events
took on a distinctly pagan nature. The most important
holiday for every Latvian is the Summer Solstice festival, or
Jāņi, which is celebrated on the night of June 23. Farms
are bedecked with garlands of oak and birch branches
and meadow flowers. Nearly everyone leaves the city
for the open air so that the shortest night of the year can
be spent in the merry company of friends. Campfires are
lit, special songs are sung, dancing is a universal element
during the festival. Traditional caraway seed cheese and
lots of beer are on the menu.
Latvians are very proud of their quadrennial Song and
Dance Festival. This festival has been organised since
1873, and each time it brings together literally tens of
thousands of singers and dancers, dressed in their best
folk costumes and coming from every region in Latvia.
The festival always unifies the Latvian nation, strengthening its spiritual self-esteem. The Song and Dance Festival
has never lost its significance, and it helps in upholding
ancient traditions of song and dance in Latvia. The festival is always held in Rīga, with the culminating concert
on the grand open-air stage in Mežaparks. A massive
parade of participants weaves through the city, and every resident and guest of Rīga is on hand to watch the
spectacle.
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Where to call in urgent
situtations?
Firestation
01
Police
02
Ambulance
03
Gas emergency service
04
Inquires
1180, 1188, 1199
AIDS centre
7543777
Central phone
(in case of any accident)
112
Technical aid
800 0000
Useful links:
www.rigatourism.com
www.rigatourism.lv
Riga Tourism Coordination and Information Centre
www.riga.lv
Official website of the Riga City
http://vip.latnet.lv/ArtNouveau/en/default.htm
Art Nouveau
www.inspirationriga.lv
Information on meetings and incentives in Riga and Latvia
www.riga-airport.com
Riga International Airport
www.autoosta.lv
Riga International Bus Station
www.rigamap.lv
www.latinst.lv
www.li.lv
The Latvian Institute
www.latviatourism.lv
Latvian Tourim Board
www.lv
General information about Latvia
http://www.ailab.lv/Riga/Riga-en.htm
Cultural Heritage of Riga
Riga Tourism
Coordination and
Information Centre
Schwab house
Rātslaukums (Townhallsquare), Riga, LV -1050, Latvia
Telephone: +371 7037900
Fax: +371 7037910
tourinfo@riga.lv
www.rigatourism.com
Riga international Bus Station
1 Prāgas Street, Riga, LV -1050, Latvia
Telephone: +371 7220555
Riga Central Train Station
2 Stacijas Square, Riga, LV -1050, Latvia
Telephone: +371 7233815
Latvian Tourism Information Bureau
4 Smilšu Street , Riga, LV- 1050, Latvia
Telephone: +371 7224664
Fax: +371 7224665
info@latviatourism.lv
Riga International Airport
(Arrival area)
Telephone: +371 7292611
Central Post office
32, Brivibas blvd., Riga, LV-1050
Telephone: Tel: +371 7018800
Fax: +371 7018823
www.muzeji.lv
Museum Guide
www.lvra.lv
Association of Hotels and Restaurants of Latvia
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www.eventguide.lv
Events in Riga and Latvia
www.latvia.lv
Official country website
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