What to see in Riga in 1 day. My short guide - How to get, where to stay, where to eat, as well as transport and attractions.

My trip to Riga, like most trips to Europe, was determined by chance, or rather a $ 30 discount on booking 3-5 star hotels, which turned out to be the most successful in Riga. After that, it remained only to watch the action for Minsk-Riga-Minsk bus tickets and here, too, was lucky to start the sale with a 50% discount.

How to get to Riga

You can get to Riga as in most European capitals by plane, bus and train. I took a night bus from Minsk for 6.9 €, but I can’t guess your option, so I’ll tell you about the main directions.

1.   : A ticket for a city bus from the airport costs 1.15 € if you buy an E-Talon in advance, a single ticket from the driver will cost 2 €. Airport transfers for € 30 can be booked and.
2.   : buses travel up to 10 times a day, the average ticket price is 13 €, you can buy or. Flights from 30 € can be found on.
3.   : Buses to Riga travel up to 4 times a day, tickets are sold or from 15 €. A train costs from 40 €.

Housing in Riga

1. Apartments:  Apartments for a day are best booked on Airbnb, and use them to save money. Most apartment owners speak Russian.
2. Hotels:if you don’t want to overpay and there are no shares, then use the combination of a search engine and a function. The search engine will find the best deal, and CashBack and coupons will reduce the price by 20%.

I was lucky to book a 4-star hotel for 13 € for two with breakfast (using a discount coupon), but such promotions are very rare. The hotel is located almost in the city center on the island of Kipsala. Breakfast is a buffet with a large selection of food; the hotel also has a free sauna for guests.

Public transport inRiga

The tourist part of the city is very small, as well as located near the railway station and if you arrived in the city less than a day, then city transport may simply not be needed.

If your route involves the use of public transport, then you should know that an electronic fare payment system is operating in Riga, and the tickets are called E-Talon. You can buy them at any newsstand.

Tourists are best served with E-Talon disposable yellow tickets. A ticket for one trip 2.5 €, but if you intend to travel more than 1 time, it is advantageous to buy a ticket for a day for 5 €.

Riga Attractions

Before proceeding to the description of my walk in Riga, according to tradition, I will give a few links that should help organize your trip in advance and save time.

1. Tourist bus Riga Sightseeing Tour - and. More expensive than a public transport pass, but it is more convenient to get to some attractions on it.
2. — 15€.
3. Excursion - - 25 €.
4. — 69€.

What to see in Riga in 1 day

Although I was in Riga for almost two days, but due to bad weather, staying in Riga as a tourist was reduced to 3-5 hours. This is enough to explore the tourist center of the city and the main attractions of Riga.

Central station

I’ll start lighting my walking route from the Central Station - the place of arrival of almost all tourists to Riga.

Latvian National Opera

You don’t have to go directly to the historical city, so you don’t make an extra circle and go for a walk to Bastionnaya Gorka Park, where you can see several attractions at once. The first thing that will be on the way is the building of the Latvian National Opera, built in 1863.

The next item will be the Freedom Stella, located in the center of the park. It was erected in 1935 as a symbol of freedom of the Latvian people.

We continue our walk through the park to the place that gave it the name Bastion Hill. Little is left of the slide itself, but you can get good views from it in good weather. Our case was an exception and the weather failed.

Powder Tower

We go down the hill and go towards the Powder Tower, the peak of which is visible in the previous photo. The Powder Tower is almost the only thing left of the defensive wall of the city. Nearby are a few remains in the form of the Ramer Tower and a piece of the fortress wall.

  Powder Tower

Next to these buildings is the corresponding thematic Latvian War Museum. The museum is open every day from 10 to 17-18 hours, inthe move is free, address Smilšu iela 20.

cat house

We continue to move deep into the historical part of the city and go out to the building with the name Koshkin’s house, which came up with a legend about cats on the spire of its roof. According to this legend, cats were initially turned backwards to the building of the Riga Guild of Merchants, and this was done because of the refusal to accept one of the merchants who owned this building into the guild.

Today, the spiers of this building with cats are one of the symbols of the city, even a tourist magnet rarely does without the image of these cats.

  cat house

From the cat’s house we move towards the Dome Square, where the Dome Cathedral is located, but we will not go to the square and the cathedral yet, but walk a little to the right to the Cathedral of St. James.

And now we leave on the Dome square and the cathedral of the same name.

Nearby is   Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation. Entrance to the museum is 4.27 €, for adults, but it is better to immediately buy a subscription to 3 museums for 5.69 € ( Riga and Maritime History Museum, Menzendorf House and Latvian Museum of Photography).

If you are not interested in the museum, then we move to the central square of Riga and the House of the Blackheads located on it, as well as the Monument to the Bremen Town Musicians, which is hidden around the corner of the House of the Blackheads.

Not far from the House of the Blackheads is another one of the main Sights of Riga - St. Peter's Church.

This is practically all that we managed to capture during a walk around Riga and the whole story “What to see in Riga”, more rain was prevented from making more photos. But in Riga in the old city there are about a dozen or two more interesting houses that could be photographed, and you can also find a house that was shot in a Soviet film about Sherlock Holmes and presented as his place of residence on Baker Street.

Latvian National Library

And the last photo is now also Riga Landmark - the new building of the Latvian National Library, opened in 2013. I got here because my hotel is located nearby.

Where to eat in budget in Riga

I will finish my story about Riga with a snack, or rather with lunch. In Riga, if you do not want to overpay for restaurants and expensive cafes, it is better to go to LIDO. It is tasty, satisfying and inexpensive, as well as something similar to dining rooms, but much nicer and more comfortable.

Not far from the center there are 4 such institutions, and one of them is right in the historical center. Lido in the center is constantly crowded due to its good location, so it’s better to walk a bit and dine at any other. Below the address as the distance from the center.

What to see in Riga and its environs on your own? Consider the route of walking through the sights of the city for 1, 2 or 3 days of rest, find out prices for excursions, and make a map of tourist places.

From a bird's eye view, Riga is covered with a blanket of Baltic vegetation, tiled roofs of houses and a network of narrow cobbled streets, two wide hills, which are sewn with a longitudinal river ribbon of the Daugava, which flows into the Gulf of Riga.

Interesting places to visit in Riga are almost everywhere. Every corner of the Latvian capital keeps a special atmosphere of magic.

Getting into the labyrinths of its streets and breathing in the clean Baltic air, a tourist becomes an eyewitness of a fabulous theater performance, the main details of which are the amber light of insidious lanterns and the shadows of the curly facades of buildings, with musical accompaniment of street performers.

The modern capital, which has preserved the elements of a medieval heritage, is always ambiguous. The luxurious fusion architecture of most of the buildings created in the art nouveau style, flowering gardens and parks, succinctly combines with the vibrant nightlife of the city. Every traveler, of any generation and preferences, will easily find what to see in Riga on their own. It is enough to get into the historical center of Riga in order to plunge into the world of a different reality, where it seems that time has stopped, allowing tourists to enjoy the unique atmosphere and original culture of this place.

Charming with its beauty, the capital of Latvia opens every time from a new side, therefore being in this city for the first time or regularly visiting it, the tourist will again and again find unusual places in Riga that are definitely worth visiting.

A relatively small cozy European city, full of many places of interest, the examination of which may take several days, or even a couple of weeks.

In order for the Riga weekend to be rich, memorable and amazing, the guest of the capital should arm himself with practical shoes, a positive mood and a plan for moving around the city, in order to visit twelve main attractions.

• Town Hall Square  - this is the place that is best to see in Riga from the sights on the first day of acquaintance with it, so that you can easily plunge into the space of amazing architectural forms, statues and buildings. The heart of the square is a monument to the knight Roland.

Being here is worth a visit:

• house of the merchant fraternity of the Blackheads (entrance for adults - 6 €, children - 3 €);
• museum of Occupation (admission is free).

Important! The House of the Blackheads is a placewhere  a tourist should spend money andbook an excursion in Riga with a Russian-speaking guide. On average, such a pleasure will cost 15€.

•   - A unique “mosaic” of several architectural styles. The "soul" of the cathedral, which recently celebrated its 800th anniversary, is a 25-meter organ with excellent sound. In high season, every day, except Sunday, at 12:00 a mini-concert of organ music is held. Entrance ticket price is 3 €. A concert visit is paid extra (10 €).

• Riga castle  - The official residence of the president of the country and the historical museum with the status of national. This is a complex of colorful buildings of different eras, fenced with a protective wall, where the ticket price is 2.85 €, on Wednesday - free of charge.

Note! At the moment, these objects are under reconstruction (until November 2019 inclusive). Some of his exhibitions are temporarily organized at a different address.

• Cathedral of St. James -  This is the main Catholic church in the country. The most beautiful stained glass windows are fascinating, and the department of rare mahogany, exceptional for Latvian culture, is surprising. A five-minute walk is the famous Catholic sacred building - the Church of Mary Magdalene.

• , buildings of the 15th century. The charm of the townspeople against devilry is a rooster, the figure of which is mounted on a church steeple. At an altitude of 72 meters, there is an observation deck with stunning views of the city. Admission for adults is 6 € for adults and -50% for persons under 17 years of age.

• Ancient city market, whose pavilions were once used as hangars for airships. This is a real gastronomic paradise for lovers of cheese, meat and seafood. Hungry for sure they can’t get out of here. Each buyer, being here, will have to perform obligatory rituals - to bargain with the seller and taste everything that they offer. A kilogram of smoked eel will cost a tourist about 40 €, and bacon - 6 €.

•   located in the wooden building of the former church of St. George. Attractive from the outside, the museum surprises with its rich exposition inside: collections of textiles, porcelain, leather and wood. The cost of admission for adults is 2.50 €, and for pensioners, students and schoolchildren - 0.71 €.

Note! On the last Sunday of each month, admission is free for everyone.

• - This is the place in Riga where you need to take a walk in the evening. The epicenter of nightlife is represented by numerous clubs, discos, concerts on summer stages and festivals. In the dark, a lot of lights are lit in the park, creating a magical space, like in a fairy tale.

• City TV Tower  - the tallest building in the Baltic States and the third skyscraper in Europe (368.5 meters). Located not on its viewing platform, at an altitude of 97 meters above sea level, it seems that you can reach out to the sky with your palm. We will deliver the high-speed elevator to the site in 40 seconds and 3.7 € per person.

• 56 kilometers from the city, in Sigulde, the tourist should spend the whole day breaking the cable car (for a fee - 7 €) and visiting several places.

Required to view:

• Gauja National Park;
• gutman Cave;
• Turaida Museum with reserve and castle (entrance - 3 €).

• In the summer, a tourist who is saturated with the cultural life and history of the city is recommended to allocate a day or two for beach holiday  in Jurmala. 25 km from Riga, there is a strip of resort villages.

Noteworthy objects are also here:

• residence of the President;
• summer cottages of Rainis, Brezhnev.

•   located in the green area of \u200b\u200bthe metropolitan area under the open sky. A fascinating demonstration of the life of Latvian villages from the 17th to the 20th centuries for all comers who paid 2 € for admission.

Riga sights on the map

• The main places of the city:

Click to enlarge

• Tourist places of the old city:

Click to enlarge

The cost of excursions in Riga in Russian

Being in Riga, it is not at all difficult to find sightseeing tours with the services of Russian-speaking guides. Travel agencies are located mainly in the central part of the city. If you plan in advance in the Latvian capital, you can book a similar tour for a specific date online on the Internet.

The most popular are three fascinating and informative excursions.

1. A two-hour walk through the city passes through the main iconic places: medieval churches and city cathedrals, houses of the Blackheads, Menzendorf and Black Cats. A group excursion is possible for a company of up to 15 people for 15 € each.
2. A journey through famous films and fairy tales, which takes place along the streets of Old Riga and architectural objects that once served as film sets. The cost of a two-hour excursion, for a company of 1-5 people, is 57 €.
3. . A tour in Vidzeme will open for tourists a world of Latvian winemaking, where everyone can taste natural wines made from raspberries, rhubarb or cloudberries. On the way, tourists will visit Sigulda and the castle of the Livonian Order. The tour, lasting about 5 hours, is held for 1-2 people (more - by prior arrangement) and amounts to 114 €.

Where to go with the kids?

The capital of Latvia is hospitable and glad not only to adults, but also to its young guests. Having visited Riga for a family weekend, here at any time of the year there is something to see with children.

1. Going to Riga Zoo, the child can be introduced to the picturesque fauna: on a well-groomed green area contains more than 3 thousand animals, among which there are exotic ones - hippos, giraffes, pandas, flamingos and many others. Ticket price - 7 €, and for children older than 3 years - 5 €.
2. Miniature sun Museum  represented by a collection of more than 400 exhibits of the luminary made of various materials. In addition to legends and fascinating facts about the solar system, kids and their parents will hold a creative master class on coloring a talisman in the shape of the sun. The single ticket price is 3.5 €.
3. Young tourists will like amusement parks  Lido or PeakNick Park. Here, the kids will be charged with a whole heap of bright emotions and new impressions.

What can you see in Riga on your own in 1, 2 and 3 days?

Having correctly planned their Riga holidays for several days, the tourist will be able to enjoy the unique culture, rich history and feel the special Latvian mentality.

1. Having at its disposal only one day for walking around the capital, dreaming of touching Riga life, the tourist is recommended:

• examine the Town Hall and Dome Square;
• visit the famous House of the Blackheads;
• admire Riga from the observation deck in St. Peter's Church in the evening.
• drink mulled wine or Riga balsam in a cozy metropolitan bar.

1. Having a two-day vacation in the capital, on the first day it is worth making the planned walking tour presented above, and the second day should be devoted to museum complexes:

• Latvian Museum of Architecture;
• Motor Museum;
• museum of design.

In the evening, it is best to go to the Verman Garden, take a walk in the park and have dinner in one of the cozy cafes.

1. An informative and eventful three-day tour will allow you to visit the main objects presented in the two sentences above in a busy schedule, and spend the third day in the suburbs, for example, in the ancient town of Sigulda, Rundale Palace, Bauska Castle or the resort of Jurmala.

City walk route

While in Riga on Saturday, you should not miss the opportunity to visit the craft fair in the Kalnciema Quarter, where you can buy handmade souvenirs and taste delicious national treats and dishes prepared according to an old recipe.

When planning an excursion trip to the capital of Latvia, it is worth looking first at accommodation options with good discounts.

Just note 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 sights, then also add it! Mark the places you would like to see and distribute them over several days of the trip. After that, download the free Ever.Travel mobile application and log in to it under the same account as on the site. So your plans are synchronized between the web version and the 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 in Riga from a majestic monument dedicated to the Latvians who fell in 1918-1920 in the struggle for independence of Latvia. This 42-meter building is called the Freedom Monument and is located in the city center on Brivibas Boulevard. It was built in 1935 according to the project of Karlis Zale. Crowned with a vertical monument is the figure of a woman who holds three stars in her hands. They symbolize the unity of the three historical Latvian provinces: Courland, Livonia and Latgale.

At the foot of the monument is a multi-tiered composition consisting of 56 sculptures that form 13 groups. The architect Ernest Stalbergs perfectly 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 labor, family and spirituality are interspersed with images of real and fictional characters that the locals are proud of.

It is interesting that Riga residents call the Freedom Monument the feminine name "Milda". There is a version that a lady named Milda Winter posed for the sculptor when he sculpted a key element - a woman with stars in her hands. There is no direct evidence for this, but there were enough rumors 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 on the map, which you will find in the free mobile application Ever.Travel. Download and during a city tour look into it to understand how to get from one attraction to another. All places are arranged in the order most convenient for walking.

Flickr, Peter Knöferl

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

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

In 1882, a great fire broke out in the then-German Theater, and the building was rebuilt until 1890. August Foltz was engaged in the interior decoration; he also conceived the design of a marvelous fountain with a naked nymph, which was supposed to be in front of the theater. Suddenly, work on it for some reason began to drag out for a rather indecent period. No one could understand what was wrong with the architect, why such a punctual and responsible person suddenly stopped complying with the deadlines.

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

The Nymph Fountain is a statue of a naked girl who holds a sink above her head with splashing water. Children sit at the nymph's feet, and you can also see a dolphin and a turtle nearby. A very beautiful sculpture, one of the most elegant in Riga, a must for any excursion.

Flickr, Janitors

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

The opera building is a magnificent architectural monument of the XIX century, its facade is decorated with exquisite sculptures. Luxurious interiors are represented by the styles of the Renaissance, Baroque, Classicism and Empire. You can go around the whole opera with a guided tour, during which you will even go backstage, and the guide will tell you about the history of the building and art.

The concert hall is able to accommodate about one and a half thousand spectators. Of course, it seems that he seems to be the most important and perfectly verified object of the composition of the opera house from the point of view of light and acoustics. 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 presented the world with such talents as, for example, Maris Liepa and Mikhail Baryshnikov.

Flickr, BeeFortyTwo

And then, finally, from more modern areas, we find ourselves in the geographical and historical center - the Old Town, referred to locally as “Old Riga”. The whole territory of this part of Riga is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there are reasons for this.

The old city 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 acquainted with everything. Each narrow street is shrouded in an aura of antiquity, each building has its own unique history.

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

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

By the way, the old city of Riga is a great place to choose a hotel here. All the sights will be within your walking distance, and housing prices in the Latvian capital, even in the center, are surprisingly “not biting”. For searches of a hotel, apartment or hostel, it is best to use the Booking.com website.

otzyv.ru, ViknikK

Probably, the story of the Brothers Grimm about the Bremen Town Musicians was read by everyone. And those who did not read, probably saw a popular Soviet cartoon, created based on this story. Therefore, if walking along the quiet streets of Old Riga, you will suddenly 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 twin city of Bremen. The work of the German sculptor Krist Baumgartel was installed next to St. Peter's Church on Skarnyu Street in 1990. That period of history was marked by the destruction of the Berlin Wall, Latvia's independence, and the end of the Cold War between East and West. So the group of Bremen musicians looking into the hut to the forest robbers, according to the sculptor, in a humorous form was to symbolize the fall of the "Iron Curtain".

Nowadays, few people know about such allegorical subtleties. People just like a funny monument. It is very popular: many people think that if you rub the donkey’s nose, then the desire will come true, and if you reach and rub the beak of the rooster, which is above all, it will come true not a simple desire, but the most secret.

In secret, we’ll show you a company that helps to successfully “destroy” any borders and curtains. VisaToHome are guys who work wonders: they apply for a visa so that you don’t even have to leave home! Send a request by email, and a courier will come to you for documents. All this is incredibly fast, convenient and, unexpectedly, inexpensive!

livejournal.com, starevil

picasaweb.google, Alexey Vikhrov

All Riga in one day! Yes, yes, it’s real, continue our walk!

The Menzendorf House Museum is outwardly similar to one of the typical examples of architecture inherited from Riga from the 17th-18th centuries. But you just have to go inside - and the history of the old city comes to life.

This house was built in 1695 by glassworks by master 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 here, in 1752, thanks to the recipe of pharmacist Abram Kunze. Currently, a separate exhibition hall is allocated for the history of this invention - in the attic.

From 1900 to 1939 the family was owned by Augustus Menzendorf, a well-to-do resident of Riga who opened a shop selling food, delicacies and coffee. By the way, coffee from Menzendorf 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 beginning of the 90s a chic museum was opened here. Restoration work was carried out by the Polish company “PKZ” together with the architect Peter Blum.

The building can be completely circumvented - from the basement to the attic. Each room is full of interesting artifacts, interior items, furniture, which creates a very realistic illusion that you were in the XVIII century. All items of the exhibition are genuine witnesses of those times. We recommend paying special attention to unique murals on walls and ceilings.

Here, they did not forget about the glazier Helms, the first owner of the building: nowadays, a real glass workshop functions in the House of Menzendorf, where you can see how glass is made and even participate in the process of its manufacture.

Flickr, globetrotter_rodrigo

The House of the Blackheads, one of the most famous architectural monuments of the capital of Latvia, was restored literally from nonexistence 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 shelling of German artillery in 1941.

The meticulously restored House of the Blackheads is currently attracting visitors not only with its appearance, but also with its excellent interiors that fascinate with its beauty and luxury. The building hosts numerous exhibitions and organizes many celebrations - both official and private individuals. Since September 2012, while restoration work has been 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-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 fraternity is connected 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 the Blackheads, as we see it now, was formed in the 17th century, after one of the major reconstructions. The original design, unfortunately, is unknown. Over the many 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, arguing that the museum is politically and financially independent. It exists exclusively on the money of sponsors and patrons.

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

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

The museum is conditionally 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 until its acquisition in 1991. The museum has collected a large number of documents and photographs on this topic.

From the very moment of opening, the museum has caused mixed reviews from the Russian public. In particular, many questions are caused by equating Stalin with Hitler and Soviet power with German occupation.

Flickr fveronesi1

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

Once there was the main market square of Riga. Gradually, it was built up with elegant examples of architecture, which were also restored in their original form.

From the gloomy depths of the Middle Ages the Town Hall Square of Riga gained the unkind glory of the place of cruel executions. Of the bright pages of history, it is worth mentioning that it was here that more than 500 years ago the first Christmas tree in the world was established.

In the center of Town Hall Square 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 a copy adorns the square. The original is kept in the museum fund of St. Peter's Church.

Flickr, Alex Segre

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

The first administration building perished in the fire, presumably from order troops. What shape the second town hall had, we can only judge by old pictures. They depict a Gothic building under a high roof. This building also did not manage to survive in the war - it was bombed by Peter's troops at the beginning of the 18th century.

After several decades, the town hall was restored, designing it in the classicist 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 built on, 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: from the town hall, like many other memorial buildings, there were only ruins. The new project, implemented on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of Riga, made it possible to restore the magnificent building, which opened in 2003. Currently, the Riga City Council is sitting here.

Flickr, ritsch48

You do not need to go to London on Baker Street to visit Sherlock Holmes. That Holmes, whom we all know so well in the performance of Vasily Livanov, lived with Dr. Watson in Riga, on Jauniel Street.

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

In general, it’s not very remarkable in itself, Yauniela Street first appeared in the 16th century, near the Dome Cathedral, changed its name a couple of times, until it became “New” street, starting from Dome Square.

Its length is only 225 meters, but the size does not affect its iconic significance. 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 even today, and with it the restaurant Alex.

The architecture here has not changed much since then, so you should definitely visit this place, simply created for pleasant nostalgia for "our" Baker Street and Flower Street.

Flickr, Khraym The Cheetah

Riga Dome Cathedral is a significant architectural landmark not only in the capital, but throughout Latvia. Its construction began in the XIII century and continued for several centuries, as a result of which several transformations of the project took place with transitions from style to style. As a result, the grandiose cathedral, over which generations of architects and builders worked, was completed only in the 18th century.

The original design was discreet and concise, gravitating to the Romanesque style. At the turn of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the building's volume was increased by adding naves and chapels to it, adding a little growth due to the high octagonal spire - and the Dome Cathedral became a basilica with a Gothic spire.

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

But not only this temple is famous for its architecture. It contains the unique organ of work of the German company E.F. Walcker & Co, established in 1883-1884. The height of the instrument is 25 meters, it has about seven thousand pipes. The organ is decorated with decorative carvings of the XVI-XVII centuries. Now it is considered the largest in the Baltic states 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 1860-80s. Of course, it was named after the Dome Cathedral, which began to be built in the XIII century.

An area was created for the sole purpose of providing better access to the temple, and making it more visible. To do this, I had to sacrifice several groups of old houses, but the inhabitants of Riga got a rather large and beautiful area, the size of which nowadays exceeds 9 thousand square meters - it is indecent for a compact Old Riga.

The architectural ensemble of 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 structures had to be restored after the bomb hit directly in the center of the square in 1944.

Due to its size, Dome Square is often used for various celebrations. Enough space to put on a big stage or hold some kind of theme festival.

Also on the square there is a point from which at the same time three golden cockerels are visible, decorating the tops of old Riga churches.

Flickr christeldevelay

The Museum of Foreign Art in Riga, known as the Riga Stock Exchange, acquaints visitors with a magnificent collection of Western European, Eastern and Ancient Egyptian art, starting from the fifth millennium BC and ending with modernity.

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

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

The Western Gallery will introduce you to the delightful examples of the collection of West European porcelain of the XVIII-XX centuries, including valuable Meissen porcelain. The decoration of these rooms is made in the German style with luxurious wallpaper, watches, furniture, parquet and gilded chandeliers.

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

Flickr, Frans.Sellies

On Malaya Zamkova Street in Old Riga, you can see three old houses, closely pressed against each other by the side walls. These structures are nowadays considered to be a single architectural composition, despite the fact that they were built at different times 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 14th century.

Riga "brothers" are a visual aid on the evolution of the construction of residential buildings, starting from the XV and ending with the XVIII century. An older brother, also called “white” because of the color of the walls, appeared on Maza Pils Street in 1490. His architectural style is Gothic with elements of the Renaissance, traditional for the Middle Ages.

The middle brother does not have a nickname, he is simply “middle”, because he is in the middle. His date of birth is 1646, the era of the sunset of Dutch mannerism, which was less and less found in more solid buildings, but still relevant for small private buildings.

The younger brother, the smallest both in age and size, is called "green" because of its pale green color. In its forms, the influence of baroque is felt - this is especially noticeable if you look at the characteristic curved baroque tongs.

The Three Brothers was restored in the 1950s according to the project of Peteres Saulitis. Then the back rooms and yards of the houses were combined.

One of the main Catholic churches in Riga - the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows - appeared on 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 some time the townspeople were, if not happy, then satisfied.

Only the Archduke of Austria, Joseph II, was dissatisfied. He visited Riga in 1780, visited the church, as expected, and was indignant at the poverty of its decoration and the low quality of construction work. Without thinking twice, he allocated a decent amount of money for the construction of a new church building.

Other monarchs followed his example, including the king of Poland, and the future emperor of Russia, Paul I, as well as many parishioners from the lower classes. A 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 still very young architect Johann Felsko, the premises were expanded from the northern facade, and a new gate tower was built - a stone instead of an old wooden one. It is interesting that this perestroika was also done after the discontent of the crowned person: Emperor Nicholas I considered the church too narrow.

The old architectural complex of the Riga Castle attracts attention not only with its history, but also with its unique style, which 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 the Blackheads in 2012.

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

The constant change of the city rulers could not but lead to a peculiar eclecticism of the castle architecture. 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 prison.

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

Flickr, HBarrison

The Cathedral of St. James is the main Catholic church in Latvia. He appeared in Riga in the 13th century, simultaneously with the Dome Cathedral and St. Peter's Church. However, its architecture is noticeably simpler than its peers, since it was not intended for the city, but for a rural parish. Nevertheless, the gothic pyramidal spire of this temple is better preserved than the others.

The main construction of the Cathedral of St. James was completed by the beginning of the XIV century. Initially, he was given the style of early Gothic. Later, the temple was rebuilt several times, which is not surprising - because it is already more than seven centuries old. He survived the war, and the change of government, and conflicts between faiths.

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

The interior of the temple is eclectic. Here, elements characteristic of different eras were constantly added. The department, created from rare mahogany, was established in 1810. A new organ appeared in 1913. Stained glass windows made in the Art Nouveau style and dating from 1902 look very interesting.

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

livejournal.com, starevil

The monument to the victims of 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 that is inscribed in the history of Latvia in red letters and stained with the blood of 5 people who laid down their lives in the name of 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 of January 91st, this day is called Memorial Day of the defenders of the barricades.

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

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

On the night of January 19 to 20, after provocative actions by riot police, a firefight began, riot police captured the suspected instigators of the shooting and wanted to bring 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 cars with heavy fire. A fierce 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 XVII century, the fortification walls were actively developed, and some enterprising residents independently made passages in the walls in order not to go round a half-city and not to pay a tax for the transportation of goods.

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

There are no ancient places without a legend. The Swedish Gate also has a mystical and gloomy story. Once, one young girl ran through the gates 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 appeared before the city court and, as a punishment for forbidden love, was walled up in the wall. Since then, a girl’s cry and the laughter of a vile soldier have been heard in the opening at night.

The Swedish gate has undergone renovations several times. In the 1920s, 50s and 80s, many lost baroque elements were recreated. In addition, the three buildings were combined into a single architectural complex. Now there is a library, a studio and the Union of Architects.

Flickr, Bernt Rostad

The longest building in Riga appeared in the second half of the 18th century. They became the Yakovlevsky barracks, built to house the Russian soldiers. Previously, there were barracks on this site too, but for the Swedish warriors, who had previously been placed in simple residential buildings for a long time, which was not convenient for the residents of Riga or for Karl XI’s subjects.

When the Russian troops captured Riga, the question of the 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 nearby.

Due to the versatility of the premises, various organizations managed to visit the barracks: a statistical office, a school, a labor exchange, in Soviet times - a bureau of military projects and a flight school. Overhaul and restoration of the 237-meter building took place in 1995-97 and cost $ 6 million.

Currently, the Yakovlev barracks belong to commercial structures. Here you will find various shops, beauty salons, bank branches, as well as several very cozy cafes where you can have a good 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 surviving of them is Powder, built at the beginning of the XIV century. Then it was also called Pesochnaya, as it defended the main entrance to the city from the side of the Big Sandy Road (modern Smilshu Street).

During the Swedish-Polish war, gunpowder was stored in the tower, so it got a new name. The Swedish army thoroughly damaged the fortification - in 1650 it had to be restored. As a result, the height of the tower was more than 25 meters, and the wall thickness was 2.5 meters.

After that, the building survived all subsequent storms of Riga, including the capture of the Latvian capital in 1710 by the troops of Peter I, in memory of which nine cast-iron cores are still “stored” in the walls of the tower.

For almost two centuries, the tower was empty and dilapidated, and at the end of the XIX century it was leased to individuals who restored interior interiors, organized a beer, fencing and dance halls.

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

Flickr, Tania Ho

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

However, the ambitious Blumer did the original thing - on the roof of the house he placed sculptures of black cats with arched backs and raised tails, turning them backwards to the building of the Big Merchant Guild. With this act, he expressed his dissatisfaction with the refusal of admission to the community, where he passionately wanted to get. After numerous disputes and friction, Blumer was nevertheless accepted into the company of the Riga rich, and the cats were turned in a “decent” direction. Today they still adorn the building, being one of the business cards and symbols of the Latvian capital.

Above the facade of the house is a sculptural image of an eagle with spread wings. The entrance is decorated with floral decor characteristic of the Art Nouveau style.

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

At the intersection of Kaleju, Zirgu and Amata streets in Old Riga is the building of the Big Guild - one of the oldest and most interesting in the city. Now here is 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 as early as the XIII century there was a structure on this site adjacent to the Riga fortress wall. Over many centuries, the building was repeatedly rebuilt depending on the needs of the merchant estate.

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 intact - the Münster Chambers and the Fireplace Hall.

Another restructuring touched the building of the Great Guild in 1963, when it was adapted for the concert hall. Today, this magnificent architectural monument is pleasing to the eye, both in appearance and in its original interiors.

Flickr missyjessie

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

Nowadays, it’s not the members of the merchant guild who sit here, but the Riga Center for Culture and Folk Art, under whose auspices concerts, conferences, celebrations and official celebrations are held. Studios of arts and crafts, theater work in the center, folklore groups perform.

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

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

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

Flickr, infra_milk

This legendary bar is located in a historic building on Kalku Street. There used to be a pharmacy in this place by Abraham Kunze, the very 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 felt unwell and was advised to visit Dr. Kunze's pharmacy. Abraham was not taken aback and offered the empress his miracle balm on herbs. Catherine liked his action so much that she allowed to release it officially.

According to local legend, even during the renovation, this room was smelling of mint, lavender, cinnamon and rosemary. This magical fragrance is present here and now. The cafe has a safe with 24 types of herbs, which are part of everyone's favorite drink. For 20 euros you can even see how to prepare it, but at the same time get a stack of balm, a cup of coffee, nuts and sweets with a surprise.

The showcase and interior of the bar are made in the spirit of antiquity. Forged lamps hang beneath the stone arches, and massive wooden furniture surrounds. The waitresses are dressed in the appropriate outfits of the mid-18th century, which gives this place a unique flavor. On the shelves you can see genuine books of the XVIII 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.

On this our walk around the city comes to an end. We hope that we 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, reduce it, or vice versa. And then synchronize with the free Ever.Travel mobile application and walk around the city without carrying voluminous books and maps. Learn more about how convenient it is to travel in this way.

Photo article on what to see in Riga in summer and winter over the weekend (one, two or three days).

My personal TOP-15 sights of Riga (the capital of Latvia): center, streets, architecture.

Now I'm on the verge of global change for the better. I can feel it. I know this, as well as the fact that in order for dreams to come true, it’s not at all necessary to rub the nose of the cock on the monument to the Bremen Town Musicians in the center of Riga, but we will come back to this.

And now about what to see in Riga in one or two days. I’ll clarify right away that Riga, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. No wonder it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the largest collections of art nouveau buildings in the world.

The photo below mainly depicts Riga in summer, but there are also some that survived after a trip to Riga in winter.

My TOP 15 Riga Attractions

In Riga, we stayed in these apartments, rented at a discount for 50 € per day.

1. Riga architecture

You can spend hours looking at the buildings of one of the most beautiful cities in the Baltic states. 40% of houses in Riga are built in art nouveau

Riga houses of the 17th century (mainly warehouses and houses of prosperous merchants):

Cat House - one of the most legendary buildings of old Riga.

2. The observation deck of St. Peter's Church

Address: Old Riga, st. Skarnyu, 19

The height of the observation deck is 72 meters.

Paid entrance. Adults - 9 euro

The view over the Daugava River and the city center opens from a height

3. Monument to the Bremen Town Musicians.

Excursions in Riga

Riga guides tell such intricate stories associated with this monument that every tourist considers it his duty to rub the nose of one of the animals.

It is amusing to observe how, through inconspicuous verbal manipulations, the guides force full uncles to bounce half a meter above the ground in attempts to reach the nose of a rooster, because tactile contact with a bronze bird will give a 200% guarantee of the fulfillment of the most cherished desire.

You can order an excursion around Riga on the Internet so as not to wander aimlessly around the city, but to find out a lot of facts in a relatively short period of time and see all the most interesting

4. Riga center

My Riga is cozy cafes with open terraces where you can drink beer from large glasses and coffee from tiny cups, wrapping yourself in a warm blanket.

These are the streets of Riga, where you can easily meet as a beautiful car

So a wooden cow

These are cobbled streets where you can wander endlessly, now and then bumping into shops with antique trinkets, designer jewelry, strange clothes and ridiculous toys.

The memory still holds fragments of memories of how she walked in a men's jacket along a lantern paved with tight clutching between the fingers of a rooster that smells of childhood. I really wanted to believe that it will always be so.

5. Riga Castle

The majestic building on the banks of the Daugava River:

6. The Cathedral of the Nativity

Another name is the Nativity of Christ Cathedral, one of the most impressive Orthodox churches in Riga.

7. Cathedral of St. James

The main Catholic church of the country, built in the Gothic style as early as 1225.

8. House of the Blackheads

It was completely wiped out during the Second World War and was restored recently.

Riga is even more beautiful at night

9. Red Barns

Barns area near Riga Central Market. This is a typical warehouse shopping area for merchants. The architects of most of the buildings in the Red Barns area were Ostseem Germans.

10. Stalin, Academy of Sciences

On the 17th floor there is an observation deck, from where from 8 am to 10 pm in just 2Ls you can admire the panorama of Riga from a height of 65 meters

11. Three brothers.

Three brothers - this is what three lovely little houses lovingly call themselves in the very heart of old Riga. The building is so dense that each house is a continuation of the adjacent building.

12. Bridges and beaches of Riga

Bridges over the Daugava River and city beaches, here and there you can stumble upon idle citizens sunbathing behind bushes.

What to see in Riga in 1-2 days?Independently, that is, without the participation of travel agencies? The most interesting sights of Riga and its immediate surroundings, ticket prices 2019, how much are individual excursions - in the review site.

Riga is, in most cases, the only city in Latvia to be visited. The average traveler simply does not suspect about any other. For studying a map in the era of electronic gadgets is considered a funny thing, and not everyone goes!

Yes, and why ?! After all, a train from Moscow will take the traveler to his place in just 16 hours. Not too fast when compared to a car. But it’s extremely comfortable - it’s almost impossible to get tired on this trip!

• Alternative

If you run away from work early on Friday and catch the express with symbolic number 001Р, then by the morning of Saturday you will be rested and slept in Riga. The weekend is yours!

Yes, you’ll also have to capture Monday’s working morning, but the traveler gets a great opportunity not to run anywhere and carefully examine the capital of Latvia for almost a full 2 \u200b\u200bdays. What can you have time to see during this time?

Not so little, that is, almost all the most interesting!

Riga - 1 day

The Town Hall Square and the House of the Blackheads are the traditional starting point for 95% of all such walks. Why the Blackheads, if the house in appearance is a typical building of the merchant guild?

The fact is that in the Middle Ages trading operations were often carried out with the support of plate gloves: one hand counted the change, and the other prepared to give an armed rebuff. And Saint Mauritius, whom the brotherhood chose as his heavenly patron, was an Arab from Egypt, that is, for Europeans, literally "black-headed."

The House of the Blackheads dates back to 1344. But wait a moment to be touched - the building that has survived to this day belongs to the XVII century. This is a late, no longer whole, but a completely satiated renaissance. For some reason, has not yet entered the Baroque stage. Mannerism - as it is called by art scholars.

Inside the House of Blackheads is not allowed. But this is not necessary - all the most interesting is outside

Nearby is another curious building, the house of Menzendorf (Grecinieku, 18). Today, a branch of the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation operates here. And the most interesting thing in it is the interiors and furniture, which will clearly tell about the life of prosperous Riga residents of the 17th-18th centuries. A ticket costs a ridiculous 3 €, for an excursion in Russian you will need to pay an additional 12: www.mencendorfanams.com/muzejs-piedava.

Leaving Town Hall Square (almost poetry), we look again at the House (it's worth it) and go straight to St. Peter's Church. The Gothic building of the XIII-XV centuries, significantly rebuilt in the era of the Late Renaissance and Early Baroque (porticos of the entrances, spire), attracts attention even from afar, and even close ... The spire of the bell tower has a height of 123 meters and until the end of the XX century it was unparalleled in the city.

Inside you can enter (typical northern Gothic). And then go up to the observation deck at an altitude of 72 meters to look at Riga from a height:

Ticket prices (2019):

• Adults: 9 €
• Students: 7
• Schoolchildren: 3
• Children under 7 years old are free

According to legend, the interior of the cathedral during the fire of 1721 was saved by the Russian Tsar Peter I. It seems that he did not succeed much, but they managed to save all that was valuable. But during the Second World War, the Nazis destroyed the bell tower with a bombing, and then accused of deliberately destroying the architectural masterpiece of the soldiers of the Red Army.

The Dome Cathedral

After a visit to the church of St. Peter, the Dome Cathedral is not so impressive. However, he is really great. And it is noteworthy because it organically digested and fused four architectural styles in its own appearance: Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau.

• The temple was the main church of Livonia until the fall of the order in 1561. And is still considered the largest cathedral in the Baltics.

The Dome Cathedral is famous for the huge organ of work of German masters of the late XIX century. And gives concerts of classical music (sometimes even twice a day in the summer: at 12 and 19 hours, schedule: www.doms.lv/events/concerts.php?mnu_id\u003d46).

Ticket prices range from 10 to 20 €. And believe me - they will not be wasted!

Yauniela Street

The most recognizable Riga street for those who “come from the USSR”. It was Yauniela who became Baker Street in the famous Soviet series about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson (No. 222 Bis - house No. 22). Also, the street "lit up" in the "Seventeen Moments of Spring." On the second floor of house No. 25-27 there was a safe house, a failed Gestapo - that is where Professor Pleischner came.

And he admired the birds in the window of the house, the first floor of which is now occupied by the Justus Hotel. The word "boutique" in the console and 4 stars. The price of a double room without breakfast is less than 90 €. With breakfast (and in Latvia it is worth a try!) - 110 €.

There is also a house on Jauniela Street, known as the Palace of Peter I. The Russian Tsar loved Riga - he has been here 8 times - and always stayed at No. 9 on Palasta Street.

The house was rebuilt several times, but the connoisseur recognizes the signs of Peter's Baroque. A striking example is the Menshikov Palace in St. Petersburg.

Famous houses

In Tallinn, there are “Three Sisters” and “Three Brothers” fused houses - Riga responds with its “Three Brothers”. They stand on Malaya Zamkova Street, Maza Pils (17, 19, 21) and date back to one of the XV, and two more to the XVII century.

They are considered an excellent example of old Riga city buildings. House 19 houses a museum of urban architecture.

A stone's throw from the "Three Brothers" is the Cathedral of St. James. A beautiful example of a simple red-brick Gothic. Inside, pay attention to the stained glass windows.

Another interesting house worth seeing in Riga is “Cat's House” or “House with Black Cats”. The building, built at the beginning of the 20th century, is listed on Meistaru Street, 10/12. A sample of northern Art Nouveau, but all the tourists walk with their heads up, not for this reason. And because the turrets in the corners are decorated with black cats with arched backs and tails raised by a pipe.

Legend has it that the first owner of the house, a wealthy city dweller, was eager, but was not taken to the Riga Trade Guild. And in revenge he built a house, placing the cats on the towers with the butt ends exactly in the windows of the guild elder. Today, cats are chastely unfurled with their tails in the direction of the yard. Others are wonderful.

The built-rebuilt Riga Castle was once the residence of the Master of the Livonian Order, and later the Russian Governor General of Livonia. Today the president of Latvia is lodging here.

The castle is small. And it looks, in spite of its obviously Romanesque towers, somehow too fresh.

2 day in Riga

The next day, it makes sense to get out of the city, to the famous Baltic resort of Jurmala. You may not meet Laim Vaikule, but take a dip (in summer). Or just stroll through the huge sandy beaches along the edge of the surf, enjoying the foul-smelling healthy aroma of pine forests.

In Jurmala there is a large water park "Livu" (Līvu Akvaparks). If you went on a trip to Latvia with a child - he will receive compensation for the adventures of the first day. You can visit the water park, by the way, in the cold season (it is closed) - check the schedule on the official website.

They go to Jurmala exactly from the same station that you arrived at. But there is a nuance - you should not look for a station with the name Jūrmala, it simply does not exist! We leave at the stops Lielupe, Dzintari or Majori.

In the Vidzeme region north of Riga there is the Munchausen Museum - the legendary storyteller was married to a Riga woman and lived in Livonia for several years. Architecture lovers should pay attention to the Rundale Palace of Biron (it was built by St. Petersburg Rastrelli) and the Bau Castle of the Livonian Order - they are located 75-80 km south of the Latvian capital.

Over the weekend, then it will not work out - you need at least 3 free days. Tallinn-Silla Line cruise ferries depart from Riga to Stockholm daily (at 5.30 p.m.).

A cabin with a window on the sea for 1-4 people will cost 176 € with departure on Saturday or only 90 € if you are planning a trip on Sunday. Day in Stockholm and evening back (this is already included in the indicated price).