One day is clearly not enough for a more or less thorough acquaintance with the city. But there is nothing to do, the return tickets have already been bought, so we will try to squeeze the maximum out of the day so that there will not be so "excruciating pain" afterwards ..

We are starting the “express method of getting to know Riga”. We will certainly take care of comfortable shoes, make sure that the camera battery is fully charged, and the flash drive is empty - the "home video" has been copied to the computer ..

It's time to go!

Rise. 7:30 am

We won't be able to get enough sleep today, we wake up, (not) do exercises, wash, have breakfast, and go ahead to meet the city.

Our task is to get to Old Riga by 10 am. If you already live in Old Riga, you can use the small handicap for a relaxing breakfast or to laze in bed.

A walk in Old Riga will take at least four hours, we recommend taking our route "The 20 Most-Most Attractions of Old Riga" as a basis.

If the weather permits, stay near and go up to the observation deck - a wonderful view of the city opens up from here.

Rest is a rather tedious thing, especially when it is associated with active sightseeing. It's a good idea to refresh yourself on the way, and our advice is simple - choose the cafe you like and enjoy a cup of coffee and a bun.

We will plan a substantial snack at a later time.

Dinner. About two o'clock in the afternoon

So, the route through Old Riga has been trodden, on the way we looked into the courtyards and churches we liked, the time is already about two hours, it's time to have a snack. Since there is little time, the best choice is the Lido bistro, located in the center, the address is st. Tyrgon, 6.

Had a snack, drank beer or juice. It turned out quickly (with our time trouble - the most important thing), satisfying and inexpensive (which is also useful) - for 5-7 Euros per person in the center of Riga, it is not so easy to have a hearty lunch.

Enough to sit, the sun will set soon, and we have not yet completed half of the program. Riga, how not to twist, and we have no right to ignore this fact.

Our goal is tram number 6, stop "National Opera" (stop near the Freedom Monument. If we are facing the Old Town, and the Opera building, respectively, behind our back, then our direction is to the right (female to the left). The schedule can be viewed) ...

A short break in the tram, we pass four stops, get off at the terminal.

Here it is, the most expensive district of Riga, in every second house there is either an embassy or a bank, if an apartment lives either an ambassador or a banker. There are also presidents who are corrupt .., oh, honest politicians, as well as ordinary working people .. no, after all, it's hardly simple .. A square meter costs 3-4 thousand Euros, people need to work for a year to have a couple of meters of living space accumulate. Politicians, however, also need to work a lot, but they somehow manage to live here with non-banker salaries .. It's a paradox, however ..

The route is straightforward - we go without turning down Elizabetes street. On the right is the park, on the left - luxuriously restored 4-5 storey buildings of the early XX century.

We reach the crossroads of five streets, to our left - to Strelnieku street. We slow down, we will meet the best examples of style in Riga.

The ultimate goal is Albert Street, only half a kilometer long, on which every building is architectural monument... We dedicated to her virtual walk in the article ““.

In order not to carry a computer with you, you can print (or download to your phone) a PDF version of the guide.

No copyright infringement, the guide has been prepared by us for free use - you can download, copy, upload to social networks... Information should belong to everyone! Links to guidebooks are at the end of the article. So, we promoted ourselves a little, let's move on ..

Albert Street has been passed, the time is eight o'clock, strength is running out, there are 758 photographs in the camera. A hearty lunch has already been converted into pedestrian energy (I wonder if this exists?), It's time to think about a quiet evening rest.

If you have the strength, you can return to the Old Town and hang out in some restaurant, for example Lido (just kidding, Lido is not good for the evening, let's look for something more leisurely). Let's do this - walking along the charming streets of Riga, we choose the restaurant we like.

To say that restaurants are located in Old Riga on every corner would be an understatement, rather, there are a couple more between the two corner establishments.

If you don't have the strength, we stay in the embassy district, there are fewer restaurants here, but it won't be difficult to find either.

Digesting impressions. Nine o'clock in the evening

Having settled comfortably and ordered dinner, we sip beer (the best varieties are Piebalgas, Valmiermuža, Užavas. Aldaris Luksus - only if nothing more decent is offered ..), and thoughts are annoyingly spinning in our head:

"..Tomorrow morning to leave ..
.. what about her sandy beaches and cool Baltic Sea.. they say there are more stars on the boardwalk in summer than locals ..
.. and I also read somewhere that it is one of the three largest museums in the world ..
.. and it would be nice to take a walk along (they said, Western tourists go there as if to a museum, especially to the fish pavilion) .. and further, along the restored Daugava embankment ..
.. and what the creative districts of Riga are - I heard somewhere that interesting wooden buildings have survived there ..
.. it would be interesting to go to ..
..that's also my mother-in-law advised to listen, she was here in 74th year .. she proved that the Riga instrument for a long time was the largest instrument in the world .. it drives, probably, as usual ..
.. it would be nice to give up, there is a Schengen, the Petrovs swam, they said - the night on the ferry, the next morning is already there .. and it costs some pennies ..
.. eh, I will have to come again .. "

And the main thought

"..And why am I in Riga just one day .. so little .."

And we warned you ..

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

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Fountain nymph

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

The history of the creation of the fountain is no less unique than the final piece itself. According to legend, the author of the fountain, while creating the figure of a naked girl, fell in love with his model. Suddenly, the feelings that gripped him haunted him, and the completion of the construction was constantly postponed. As a result, the beloved still reciprocated and agreed to become the wife of a brilliant architect, and the fountain, to the great joy of the people of Riga, was completed. Today it is a statue of a naked girl with a shell in her hands, from which a stream of water escapes. Next to the nymph are figurines of children, a turtle and a dolphin. Every element of this sculpture is created in the smallest detail. Therefore, this attraction is strongly recommended to be included in the excursion program.

Monument to the Bremen Town Musicians

In childhood, we all watched with interest the adventures of the Bremen Town Musicians and sincerely cheered for them, sitting in front of the TV screens. It seems that Riga has a special attitude towards the heroes of this fairy tale, because a real monument is erected to them on one of the streets. On the pedestal, one on top of the other, are four recognizable characters - a donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster. Do not be surprised that the author of the monument was a German sculptor from Bremen. After all, this city is considered a twin city of Riga. By the way, as conceived by the sculptor, the monument carries a deep historical and philosophical thought and is dedicated to the end of the "cold war" between the West and the East. Of course, modern residents of Riga and guests of the city do not think about such "high matters". They like to believe more that if you rub the nose of a donkey or the beak of a rooster, their deepest desires will come true.

House of Blackheads

This historic building was restored after the devastation of war only in the 90s and became a kind of gift to the city for the 800th anniversary. Today this house attracts tourists not only with its unique appearance, but also with its luxurious interior. It hosts exhibitions and closed events for high-ranking guests. According to historical background, the house was created in the 14th century and belonged to the famous merchant guild of the Blackheads. By the way, the name is not at all connected with the surname of the merchants. The coat of arms of the house depicted St. Maurice with a black head. Unfortunately, it is not possible to check the correspondence of the current appearance of the building to the historical prototype.

Museum of the Occupation

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

The Dome Cathedral

One of the most significant sights of all Latvia is the Dome Cathedral, the construction of which lasted for 5 centuries, starting from the 13th century. It is no surprise that the project, which has been worked on by several generations of architects, has such a mixed style. It is here that the unique organ from the German manufacturer E.F. Walcker & Co, which reaches a height of 25 meters! As decoration musical instrument decorative carvings protrude, and when a tearing sound escapes from his seven thousandth army of trumpets, his heart begins to pound madly in his chest. Even today, this instrument is considered the largest in the territory of the former USSR. And in 1883, when it was installed, there were no analogues in the whole world.

Art Museum

The gallery called "Riga Bourse" includes a huge collection of the best examples of European, Eastern and Ancient Egyptian art. The oldest exhibit dates back to the 5th century BC. A huge collection of works by contemporary artists is presented. The gallery with works of Northern European authors is especially popular among connoisseurs of art. There is a Silver Cabinet near the Western Gallery, where you can enjoy an impressive collection of items made of this noble metal, which came to Riga not only from Europe, but also from the Asian region.

Government castle

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

Black Magic Bar

We recommend that you end the daytime program at the Black Magic Bar on Kalku Street. It was here that the legendary Riga Balsam was invented, the author of which is considered to be the alchemist A. Kunce. By the way, this drink owes its popularity to the Empress Catherine II, who not only appreciated its refined taste, but also made it possible to establish a full-fledged production of herbal tincture. Even today, the bar has a safe that stores the 24 types of herbs needed to make the drink. And for 20 euros, each visitor can see how it is actually created. The interior of the bar also attracts - antique lamps swing under the stone arches, and the furniture is made exclusively of wood.

Hotel Garden Palace

Located in the historical center of Riga

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

Important! If you arrive in Riga between October and March, remember that the weather in Riga is usually insidious: either damp and chilly, or clear and very frosty. In both cases, the traveler is threatened with rapid freezing, so thermal underwear, warm hats, scarves and mittens, and a warmer jacket will not be superfluous at all. But heeled boots are best left at home - picking heels out of the pavement is tiresome.

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

So the walk starts with Town Hall Square(Ratslaukums) and then we walk along the route (on the diagram - a raspberry line). It ends at Powder tower(Pulvertornis) at the corner of Smilšu and Troksnu streets.

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

Turn right and walk past the monument along Svoboda Boulevard (Brivibas bulv.). The third street on the left will be Elizabetes street(Elizabetes iela), which starts the next walk - (blue line).

It smoothly turns into an entertaining one (orange line).

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

Route maps (is it readable?)

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

If you have only one day to explore the capital of Latvia - this time is more than enough to see all the fun!

Almost everything depends on your interests. Since your location in the city will depend on this. Here is a list of everything you can see in Riga in one day. You just need to decide on the choice:

• trace the epochs of the city's development and see the main attractions of the historical center: Town Hall Square, Dome Cathedral, Riga Stock Exchange, House of the Blackheads, St. John's Church, Powder Tower, Three Brothers Complex, St. Peter's Church, Bremen Town Musicians Monument, Mentzendorf House, House with Black cats, Swedish gate;
• discover the rich heritage of the elegant Art Nouveau style and figure out its features on a walk through the most beautiful areas of the city;
• taste Riga balsam and local dishes on a gastronomic tour;
• finally escape outside the Old City to another area: the creative Republic of Miera Street, green Mezaparks, Kipsala Island, colorful Moscow suburb;
• or just take a walk in New Riga, its parks and alleys;
• feel like 19th century romantics on a relaxed walk through the beauties of Jurmala;
• to get acquainted with the history of the Latvian people through legends and epics while traveling through the Daugava castles;
• plunge into the world of the gallant century, recall mythological plots and the history of the Russian State in the Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle);
• go to Livonian Switzerland and the Wenden castle or to Vidzeme Switzerland (Sigulda and Turaida).

Freedom Monument

It is better to start your walk from Freedom Square, where the monument of the same name is located. He is one of the symbols of Latvia. Above the head, the stele holds three stars, symbolizing the historical parts of the country - Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale.

An inscription is carved on the facade of the monument - “Tēvzemei ​​un Brīvībai” (translated as “Fatherland and Freedom”).

There is a park nearby, where you can take a leisurely stroll and breathe fresh air in the very center of the city.

Riga tourist map

In order to listen to heartfelt melodies performed by musicians on a unique organ with 6718 pipes, you should definitely visit the light and spacious hall of the Dome Cathedral.

You can become a spectator of the concert for a fairly reasonable amount - 10–20 €.

In spring and summer, guests of the city and residents of Riga often relax at tables in cozy street cafes located on the crowded Dome Square near the temple.

Here tourists can often become spectators of free concerts of talented street musicians, most often performing at the monument to Roland, the brave medieval knight.

Behind him stands the unusual building of the House of Blackheads. Once upon a time, in the distant Middle Ages, it housed the premises of the brotherhood of Riga merchants and the stock exchange. In recent decades, tourists have been able to join house tours, attend concerts, or attend exhibitions. Now access is temporarily closed due to the residence of the Latvian president located here.

But the doors of the Church of St. Peter, located on the square, are open.

For tourists, the temple is interesting primarily for its 123.5-meter tower, which houses a small but rather spacious observation deck... The famous Riga buildings, bridges, temple towers and the picturesque Daugava are superbly visible from here. Compared to the Church of St. Peter, the Town Hall located on the square seems to be a less majestic building. But this does not at all diminish the beauty of the restored three-story building, at the facade of which guests of the city are often photographed.

Riga castle

For almost seven centuries, the building of the Riga Castle, which has been rebuilt many times, has been decorating the banks of the picturesque Daugava River. It is from here that you should start your acquaintance with the Latvian capital.

Due to the reconstruction, tourists will not be able to visit the museums located in the medieval building. But every visitor to the city can stand at the high walls of the ancient castle, appreciate its majesty and strength of powerful towers.

Cathedral of Saint James

The brick Gothic building of the main church of the city, located not far from the Riga Castle, surprises with its simplicity. Once inside the Cathedral of St. James, visitors find themselves in a spacious hall. Their eyes are drawn to the rich decoration of the Baroque altar, as well as the massive empire-style pulpit and organ, sparkling with the reflected light of candles.

Architectural ensemble "Three Brothers"

To see the buildings in which ordinary townspeople lived in the Middle Ages, you should walk to Mazā Pils street. It houses the "Three Brothers" - green, luxurious and white - three old houses, built one after the other in the 15th-17th centuries.

Now the houses house a small architectural museum.

Area with sad story... It was built on the ruins of buildings after the Second World War.

Situated on the outskirts of the Old Town, it is a holiday destination for many people. There are many restaurants and cafes with outdoor terraces. In summer, the square is decorated with beautiful flowers, and in winter there is a Christmas market with outdoor cafes with hot wine. There is a lively atmosphere throughout the year.

Knowing that the Latvian capital is a rather old city, many travelers show a sincere interest in the numerous exhibits in the halls of the Riga History Museum. Here you can see not only historical documents traditional for such establishments, but also fragments of ancient ships, items made of bronze, porcelain, silver, belonging to the most different eras.

Riga Zoo

The kids' favorite place where you can spend at least 3-4 hours. And it is better to do this in the morning, when the animals are more active.

The task of the zoo is to acquaint visitors with the diversity of the animal world. Children here will learn and see a lot of new things by visiting:

• houses of giraffes, kangaroos, flamingos, cranes and pelicans, etc.,
• an exposition of lemurs and turtles,
• terrarium,
• aquarium,
• contact rural courtyard,
• expositions of rare animals of Europe, predators and many others.

Every day from 11.00 to 14.15 you can watch the feeding of the animals.

On site, you can have a bite to eat in cafes and stalls, as well as for children to have fun on the playground.

Recreation center "Lido"

A great place to not only eat and relax, but also spend the afternoon with the kids.

There are a total of 8 restaurants of this chain in Riga, but the largest is located at 76 Krasta Street. On its territory you will find:

• restaurants
• bistro
• confectionery
• brewery

Entertainment offered:

• trampolines for children
• carousel
• inflatable attractions
• small ferris wheel
• jumping on elastic bands
• pony riding
• children's driving school

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

Flickr, mark-jandejong

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

At the foot of the monument, there is a multi-tiered composition consisting of 56 sculptures that form 13 groups. Architect Ernest Shtalbergs has superbly realized the complex design of Karlis Zale. The stone reflects the traditions of the Latvian people and captures the most important historical events. The bas-reliefs on the theme of work, family and spirituality are interspersed with images of real and fictional characters that the locals are proud of.

I wonder what the people of Riga call the Freedom Monument female name Milda. There is a version that a certain lady named Milda Winter posed for the sculptor when he sculpted the key element - a woman with stars in her hands. There is no direct evidence of this, but rumors turned out to be enough for the pompous monument to receive such a simple nickname.

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

Flickr, Peter Knöferl

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

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

In 1882, there was a big fire in the then German theater, and the building was rebuilt until 1890. The interior decoration was carried out by August Foltz, who also conceived the project of a marvelous fountain with a naked nymph, which was to be located in front of the theater. Suddenly, for some reason, work on it began to drag on for a rather indecent period. No one could understand what was wrong with the architect, why such a punctual and responsible person suddenly stopped meeting the deadlines.

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

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

Flickr, Janitors

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

The opera house is a magnificent architectural monument of the 19th century, its facade is decorated with graceful sculptures. Luxurious interiors are represented by Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism and Empire styles. You can walk around the entire opera with a guided tour, during which you will even visit behind the scenes, while the guide will tell you about the history of both the building and the art.

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

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

Flickr, BeeFortyTwo

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

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

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

Everything here is conducive to leisurely walks and comfortable rest. There are numerous cafes and restaurants, museums and souvenir shops. The movement of transport in the Old Town is prohibited, therefore it is always quiet and cozy here, and nothing will prevent you from enjoying the wonderful atmosphere of old Riga.

By the way, the old town of Riga - perfect place in order to select a hotel here. All sights will be within walking distance from you, and housing prices in the Latvian capital, even in the center, are surprisingly "biting". The best way to search for a hotel, apartment or hostel is Booking.com.

otzyv.ru, ViknikK

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

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

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

We will secretly advise a company that helps to successfully "destroy" any borders and curtains. VisaToHome are guys who work wonders: they arrange a visa in such a way that you don't even have to leave your home! Send an application by email, and a courier will come to you for the documents. All this is incredibly fast, convenient and, unexpectedly, inexpensive!

livejournal.com, starevil

picasaweb.google, Alexey Vikhrov

All Riga in one day! Yes, yes, this is real, we continue our walk!

The Mentzendorf House-Museum looks like one of the typical examples of architecture inherited by Riga from the 17th-18th centuries. But one has only to go inside - and the history of the old city comes to life.

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

From 1900 to 1939, the house was owned by the family of August Mentzendorf, a wealthy citizen of Riga, who opened a shop here selling groceries, delicacies and coffee. By the way, coffee from Mentzendorf at that time was considered the best in all of Riga!

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

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

They did not forget about the glazier Helms, the first owner of the building: today in the Mentzendorff House there is a real glass workshop, where you can see how glass is made and even take part in the process of its production.

Flickr, globetrotter_rodrigo

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

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

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

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

Flickr, Doctor Casino

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

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

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

The museum is conventionally divided into several sections, each of which shows certain milestones in the history of Latvia. Here you can find information about the struggle of the Latvian people for independence up to its acquisition in 1991. The museum contains a large number of documents and photographs on this topic.

From the very moment of its opening, the museum has evoked ambiguous responses from the Russian public. In particular, equating Stalin with Hitler and Soviet power with the German occupation raises many questions.

Flickr, fveronesi1

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

Once upon a time there was the main market Square Riga. Gradually, it was built up with elegant examples of architecture, which were also restored to their original form.

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

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

Flickr, Alex Segre

In the 14th century, the Town Hall Square was the centerpiece of Riga. All events significant for the city were held here - from executions to holidays. And, as in any European city, a town hall was built here, in which the Riga City Council sat, and once a year, decrees and laws were read to the townspeople from its balcony. Then, however, the square was not the City Hall, but simply an unnamed trade.

The first administration building perished in the fire, presumably from the order's troops. What appearance the second town hall had, we can only judge by old pictures. They depict a Gothic building under a high roof. This building also failed to withstand the war - it was bombed by Peter's troops at the beginning of the 18th century.

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

Before World War II, the largest city library was based in the Riga City Hall. The outbreak of hostilities brought catastrophic destruction: only ruins remained from the town hall, like many other memorial buildings. The new project, implemented for the 800th anniversary of Riga, has made it possible to restore the magnificent building that opened in 2003. Currently, the Riga City Council is sitting here.

Flickr, ritsch48

You don't have to travel to London on Baker Street to visit Sherlock Holmes. That Holmes, whom we all know so well performed by Vasily Livanov, lived with Dr. Watson in Riga, on Jauniela Street.

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

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

Its length is only 225 meters, but its size does not affect its iconic value in any way. Here, in addition to Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson and Mrs. Hudson, the legendary Stirlitz and Pleischner from "Seventeen Moments of Spring" also visited. The small hotel "Eustace" reminds us of this today, and with it the restaurant "Alex".

The architecture here has practically not changed since then, so you should definitely visit this place, just created for pleasant nostalgia for “our” Baker Street and Flower Street.

Flickr, Khraym The Cheetah

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

The original design was discreet and laconic, tending to the Romanesque style. At the turn of the XIV and XV centuries, the volume of the building was increased by adding naves and chapels to it, a little growth was added due to the high octagonal spire - and the Cathedral became a basilica with a Gothic spire.

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

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

Flickr, Fearless Fred

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

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

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

Due to its size, Dome Square is often used for various festive events. There is enough space to put on a big stage or hold some kind of themed festival.

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

Flickr, christeldevelay

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

The largest museum of its kind in Latvia is located in the famous building of the Riga Stock Exchange, which adorns the Dome Square. The collection moved here in 1920, and since then it has been occupying it, with the exception of the periods of restoration of the historical building.

The Art Museum "Riga Bourse" is divided into several thematic sections, the expositions of which are neatly systematized. The pride of the museum collection is North European painting of the 17th century, which can be seen in the art gallery.

The Western Gallery will introduce you to the delightful collection of Western European porcelain from the 18th to 20th centuries, including the precious Meissen porcelain. These rooms are decorated in German style with luxurious wallpapers, clocks, furniture, parquet floors and gilded chandeliers.

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

Flickr, Frans.Sellies

On Malaya Zamkovaya Street in Old Riga, you can see three old houses, side walls closely pressed against each other. These structures in our time are considered a single architectural composition, despite the fact that they were built in different time and have a different style.

They are called "Three Brothers", which echoes the similar Tallinn "Three Sisters": in the Estonian capital there are also three "fused" buildings of the XIV century.

The Riga “brothers” are a visual guide to the evolution of residential building construction, from the 15th to the 18th century. The older brother, also called "white" because of the color of the walls, appeared on Maza Pils Street in 1490. His architectural style- Gothic with Renaissance elements, traditional for the Middle Ages.

The middle brother does not have a nickname, he is just "middle" because he is in the middle. His date of birth is 1646, the era of the decline of Dutch Mannerism, which was less and less common in more solid buildings, but is still relevant for small private buildings.

The younger brother, the smallest both in age and in size, is called "green" because of its delicate green color. Its forms are influenced by the Baroque - this is especially noticeable when you look at the characteristic curved Baroque gable.

The Three Brothers were renovated in the 1950s according to the project of Peteres Saulitis. At the same time, the back rooms and courtyards of the houses were combined.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flickr, HBarrison

The Cathedral of St. James is the main Catholic church in Latvia. It appeared in Riga in the XIII century, simultaneously with the Dome Cathedral and the Church of St. Peter. However, its architecture is noticeably simpler than its peers, since it was intended not for the city, but for the rural parish. However, the Gothic pyramidal spire of this temple is the best preserved.

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

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

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

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

livejournal.com, starevil

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flickr, joeriksson

The Swedish gate in Riga appeared as an alternative to the main entrance to the city. In the 17th century, the construction of the fortress walls was actively going on, and some enterprising residents made passages within the walls on their own so as not to go around half of the city and not pay tax for transporting goods.

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

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

The Swedish Gate has been renovated several times. In the 1920s, 50s and 80s, many of the lost Baroque elements were recreated. In addition, the three buildings were combined into a single architectural complex. Now it houses a library, studio and the Union of Architects.

Flickr, Bernt Rostad

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

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

Due to the versatility of the premises in the barracks, they managed to visit different organizations: statistical bureau, school, labor exchange, in Soviet times - the Bureau of Military Projects and summer school... Overhaul and restoration of the 237-meter building took place in 1995-97 and cost $ 6 million.

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

geolocation.ws, Toms Grīnbergs

The medieval Riga fortress was once framed by 28 towers. The only one that survived is the Powder House, built at the beginning of the 14th century. Then it was also called Pesochnaya, as it defended the main entrance to the city from the side of the Great Sandy road (modern Smilshu street).

During the Swedish-Polish war, gunpowder was kept in the tower, so it got a new name. The Swedish army thoroughly damaged the fortress - in 1650 it had to be restored. As a result, the tower was over 25 meters high and the walls were 2.5 meters thick.

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

For almost two centuries, the tower was empty and dilapidated, and in late XIX For centuries, it was rented out to private individuals who restored the interiors, organized a pub, fencing and dance halls.

Since the 1920s, a military museum has settled in the Powder Tower, which was transformed in Soviet times into a museum of the revolution. Today, the building again belongs to the Latvian War Museum, the expositions of which acquaint visitors with the military-political history of the country in the 20th century.

Flickr, Tania Ho

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

However, the ambitious Blumer did something original - on the roof of the house he placed sculptures of black cats with arched backs and raised tails, turning them back to the building of the Great Merchant Guild. By this act, he expressed his displeasure at the refusal to be accepted into the community where he passionately wanted to go. After numerous disputes and frictions, Blumer was nevertheless accepted into the company of the rich Riga, and the cats were turned to the "decent" side. Today they still adorn the building, being one of the hallmarks and symbols of the Latvian capital.

Above the facade of the house is installed sculptural image eagle with outstretched wings. The entrance is decorated with floral decorations typical of the Art Nouveau style.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flickr, missyjessie

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

Nowadays, it is not the members of the merchant guild who sit here, but the Riga Center for Culture and Folk Art, under the auspices of which concerts, conferences, festive and official celebrations are held. In the center there are studios of arts and crafts, theatrical art, folk groups perform.

The Small Guild, also known as the Guild of St. James, was founded in the 14th century and was a union of artisans, as opposed to the Great Guild of St. Mary, where traders were accepted. The guilds were not very friendly among themselves - the entrance to the building of "competitors" was, if not prohibited, then categorically undesirable.

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

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

Flickr, infra_milk

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

In 1789, the Russian Empress Catherine II stayed in Riga. She was not feeling well and was advised to visit Dr. Kunze's pharmacy. Abraham was not taken aback and offered the empress his miracle herbal balm. Catherine liked his action so much that she allowed him to be released officially.

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

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

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