Riga - the capital of LatviaRiga - the capital of Latvia
| History of Riga | |
| According to the chronicles, Riga as a city was founded in 1201 by the bishop Albert from the von Buxhoevden family. Unlike his predecessors who could only evaluate all the benefits of the land washed by the waters from three sides, he was one of the first Christian missioners to conquer local dwellers - fishermen and tradesmen, and instead of the pagan dwelling places of the Liv people established a beautiful city called Riga. Throughout eight centuries a lot has changed in Riga: wars, different sad and happy events. One of the city's flourishing periods was when Riga became a member of the Hanseatic League of traders because it had the most important privilege such as its strategic location: Riga is situated near the Baltic Sea and the river Daugava, so it was ideal for trade. One can witness the glory of Hanseatic times even nowadays, for its name is widely used in entitling economical institutions of Latvia and Estonia. | |
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| From very old times there lived the representatives of various nationalities and each of them affected the city's culture and way of living: Livs, Latvians, Hebrews, Russians, Polish, Lithuanians, Estonians, Armenians and other cultures created the face of Riga, however the major impact on Riga's development brought the German, Polish and Swedish cultures. You can see the evidence of it in the architecture of Old Riga. In 1858 the city's face changed dramatically: the fortress walls were broken down and Riga started to look more like a modern city. The engine of the first train as well as the gas plant was started in 1861. Three years later the wharfs for building sea and river steam vessels were founded and the medieval city opened to the whole world with years becoming an industrial centre. In 1889 the German authority rules and laws changed swept with laws of the Russian Empire. However, in 1914, when the war began, an impetuous development of the city was disrupted. In the beginning of war there was a population of half a million people living and working in industrial Riga, but in the process of war many workers moved to Russia with their families as hundreds of factories were closed and evacuated with all equipment. In 1918 Riga became a capital of a new country Latvia. Though war times were hard for the city and its citizens, in the 30th Riga was considered on of the cleanest and glorious cities of Europe. Everything that had been destroyed during the war now was renovated. New institutions of higher education, banks and national currency were established. Certainly this affected the look of the city as new European architecture appeared here and there in Riga. After the Ribbentrop - Molotov pact had been signed, 4/5 of thirty eight thousand Germans living in Riga moved back to Germany. Today Riga is being constantly renovated and modernized. In recent 15 years foreign embassies and agencies appeared here, as well as Scandinavians, Germans, French, Chinese and many other nationalities started to live and work in Riga. | |
| Old Riga (Vecriga) | |
| Dome Cathedral | |
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| The oldest and grandest church in Latvia, located on the Doma laukums 1, Riga. You will never miss this building in you go along little streets of Old Riga. All the major historical events are related to the Dome cathedral. It was built on site of dwelling of the Liv fishermen, when the process of christening was about to end. The title of the cathedral comes from Latin domus dei - house of God. It was reconstructed and enlarged several times according to the architecture tendencies of different times, and as a consequence became a composite of such architectural styles as late Romanesque (the altar), early Gothic (Basilica) and Baroque (the spire). Also the Dome Cathedral is famous for its organ made in 1884 by the German company E.F. Walker & Co. At that time the organ was the biggest in the world: 6768 wooden and metal pipes from 13 mm to 10 m in height, 4 keyboards for hands and 1 for feet. Today the cathedral has its own parish, Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation, and a concert hall. | |
| Dome Square | |
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| It is the largest square located in the heart of the Old Town of Riga, becoming live in the summer season. Seven roads come across exactly here, and the widest one Smilšu (Sandy) as well as the narrowest one Rozena are among them. | |
| Riga Castle | |
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| Riga Castle is the official residence of the president of Latvia and serves as home for several museums. It is situated on the banks of the river Daugava, Pils laukums 3, Riga. The castle was founded in 1330, first it was three-storied building, but later in the 15th century the citizens destroyed it. In 1491 - 1515 the castle was rebuilt. Upon the castle's seizure by the Swedes, they constructed spacious annexes in 1641. The fortress was continually augmented and reconstructed between the 17th and 19th centuries. At the time of the first Latvian government the interiors of the castle were adapted to the representational needs of the president. | |
| Convent Yard | |
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| "Konventa seta" (Convent Yard) is one of the oldest sightseeing sites in Old Riga which has a long history. There was a first castle of The Knights of the Sword Order in its place; however it was destroyed by the citizens of Riga. A monastery founded by the Convent of the Holy Ghost served as a shelter for diseased and poor people for several centuries. In the 30's the building was reconstructed for flats, and how there is a luxurious hotel. | |
| Riga City Hall | |
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| The prototype of Riga City Hall was the New Market which appeared in 14th century. Later, in 16th century, the Market was transfered to the river Daugava, closer to the port. In 1930 a new modern market was built, and now it is called Riga Central Market. In the Middle Ages Riga City Hall Square had town management buildings as well as public buildings. There main town problems were solved. Riga City Hall was a symbol of independence and it promoted construction activity in Riga. St. Peter's Church was situated next to the City Hall and was supported by Riga population. | |
| St. Peter's Church | |
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| St. Peter's Church is an outstanding memorial of art in baroque style. Already in 13th century it was a stone building, the oldest part of which persisted until nowadays in the centre of the church. The elevation of the building entrance is dominant not only in Riga's silhouette, but in the architecture of the city in general. The tower became the highest wooden construction of that period in Europe - about 120 m. In 1721 this tower burnt because of lightning strike and renovation works after fire ended only by 1764. In 1941 it was destroyed under bombardment, and finally, in 1970 a new metal construction was build instead of the wooden tower. | |
| Blackheads House | |
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| The Blackheads House, or initially titled the New House is located on City Hall Square was built in 1334 in the centre of Riga besides the market place, and afterwards destroyed during the World War II and renovated in 1999. Some time ago it was written on the gates of the Blackheads House: "If I ever have to be destroyed, you will restore me again". Originally the building was intended for meetings and banquets for various social organizations, however in the 12th century its only inhabitant became the Blackheads Society. One of the patrons of the Society was St. Mauritius, which is why the symbol and the distinctive sign of the Society was a Moor's head depicted on the emblem. Now one can witness a new life of the House that continues its old traditions and creating new ones. The interior of the building serves as a place for arranging celebrations, presentations, conferences, special evenings, balls and concerts. | |
| Jacob's Quarter | |
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| It is the longest building in the Old Town of Riga. Jacob's Quarters are situated between the former bastions, which, together with the curtain, formed the oldest and the most important part of fortification system in Riga. The building on Tornu 4 is unique as it is the only quarter of 18-19th century that was left in Riga vicinity. The building was renovated and now there are offices, galleries and apartments. | |
| Powder Tower | |
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| The Powder Tower is situated on Smilsu Steet, 20. Originally it served as one of the defence towers of the Riga fortress. For the first time it was mentioned in written sources in 1330. The Powder Tower was built at the end of 13th century in the form of horseshoe, but later reconstructed. It gained its name in the 17th century because it kept the powder. In 1919 the Military Museum was located in it. | |
| Three Brothers | |
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| Three Brothers are three houses that remained until nowadays. They were build about 500 years ago. We don't know what they looked like initially, because what we see today is the third, fourth or even the fifth change of the buildings on this place. The eldest Medieval "white brother" with five Gothic bays now serves as the Museum of Architecture. | |
| Statue of Liberty | |
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| The Statue of Liberty is both a symbol of independence of Latvia and the piece of art. It is dedicated to the fighting of the Latvian people for independence and its longing for freedom. It was open for public in November 18, 1935. In symbolic language of sculptures it says about the independence and defence of Fatherland, about daily work and life, major history events of people who live in this country. The woman represents the Feedom and she holds three stars in her hands - a symbol for historical and cultural areas of Latvia. | |
