Things to do in Riga, Latvia
Now we've arrived by bus from Tallinn, Estonia to Riga, Latvia.
Riga is the capital of Latvia and the first thing we notice is that it's much larger than Tallinn - more modern. And in fact, it's the biggest metropolis in the Baltics. It's quite a special city - a mix of medieval and Gothic with the world's richest collection of Art Nouveau - over 800 buildings in this pre-WWI style. It was a Medieval Hanseatic League member and a city that has lived under Swedish, Polish, Russian Empire, Soviet and Nazi rule.
Our AirBNB in Riga was quite unique as well - very medieval meets modern. It is actually an old barn (or warehouse) transformed into an apartment. Since Riga was a stopping ground for ships sailing with goods, most of the buildings (or houses) in the Old Town were doubled as warehouses, shop, and living quarters.
There's a lot to see and do here so first thing's first: the free walking tour!
1 - Free Walking Tour
This tour highlights St Peters Church, Town Hall square, House of Blackheads, St Johns Church, Koventa Seta, Dome Cathedral and Square and miscellaneous this and that's along the way. Old Town is piled high with restaurants, shops, bars and nightlife, people and things to see.
2 - Free Art Nouveau Tour
Riga is an art nouveau wonderland with a fascinating history of creative architects. With an economic boom in the late 1800's, Riga needed fashionable homes for the bourgeoisie. Over 800 buildings with curved doorways and windows, abundant floral reliefs, female cultures, gargoyles, and Romantic imagery line streets around the city. This particular tour explores: Alberta Street, Elizabeths Street, Terbatas Street, Mikhail Eisenstein house, and Konstantins Peksens house.
Konstantins Peksens house:
Mikhail Eisenstein house:
3 - Town Hall Square
The House of the Blackheads is probably the most popular building in the square.
It was first built for an association of unmarried merchants and ship-owners in the 1330's. Member were bachelors known as Blackhead. The Blackheads were known for bringing life to Riga society, organizing parties and celebrations - kind of a modern day fraternity!
The building was modified in the 16th and 19th centuries, before being wrecked during a German bombing raid in 1941. The reconstruction didn’t take place until after the Soviet period, and was finished in 1999. Hard to believe this landmark is just 21 years old.
You will also find the first public Christmas tree marker in Town Square (even though this is a huge argument between Riga and Tallinn - who actually had the first), Town Hall building (pictured below), and the Roland Statue.
4 - Three Brothers
The Three Brothers is a complex of houses dating back to the 15th century. As the story goes, 3 brothers
The oldest facade is no. 17 (pictured right) which has a mix of Gothic and Renaissance in its crow-stepped gable and the pointed arch on its doorway. This brother was used for production and trade. It was built around 1490 without any embellishments; the stone posts at the door were the only decoration to the house. It had one huge room which served for work, trading, and daily needs; up to today, the building has preserved its historic appearance.
Painted pale yellow, No. 19 - the middle brother - dates to the middle of the 17th century (1646) and blends Renaissance with Dutch Mannerist design. The inscription above the door reads "Soli deo gloria!" The distinguished Classical portal here is newer and was built in 1746. It had a wide hall with large windows above the lobby, along with specially-designed living rooms at the court-side. Today, this building houses the Latvian Architecture Museum.
Lastly, the slender no. 21 (pictured left) is a Baroque dwelling from the end of the 17th century, with a flowing curved gable. It's filled with small apartments, and an interesting facade motif — a mask, deemed to protect against evil powers.
Standing 42 metres high, the Freedom Monument (1935) is built from red granite and travertine, and crested by a copper sculpture of Liberty holding three golden stars. This solemn landmark remembers the soldiers killed fighting Soviet forces during the Latvian War of Independence.
