Download Riga Tourism Coordination and Information Centre

Riga in Figures
Riga Tourism Coordination and Information Centre
Riga is the capital of the Republic of Latvia, the state‘s administrative and political
centre
Schwab house
and the largest city in the Baltic States. Riga is located in the coastal lowlands on the
banks
Phone: +371 67037900,
of the River Daugava, close to its estuary in the Gulf of Riga.
Fax: +371 67037910
The geographic location
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Latvia’s place on the map of the world has always brought along not only welfare, but
also a
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wide variety f disasters. Often enough the people of Latvia have been forced into a
sense
of hopelessness. Over the course of the centuries, countless invaders have tried to
make
Riga International Bus Station
this small country on the shore of the Baltic Sea a part of their empires.
1 Prâgas Street, Riga, LV 1050
Latvia is in the very centre of the continent of Europe, and it is no accident that it is
often
Phone: +371 67220555
called a bridge between the East and the West. The Latvian capital city of Riga can be
Riga Central Train Station
accessed with equal speed and ease from Moscow and from the largest cities of
2 Stacijas Square, Riga, LV 1050
Western Europe.
Phone: +371 67233815
Latvia is 64,589 km2 in size, and it has 1,865 kilometres of border - 1,350 on land.
Area
Latvian Tourism Information Bureau
The area of Riga covers 307,17 km2
4 Smilšu Street, Riga, LV 1050
Residential areas 21,8% (67,00km2)
Phone: +371 67224664
Streets and roads 8,0% (24,64km2)
Fax: +371 67224665
Industrial areas 17,0% (52,45km2)
[email protected]
Water 15,8% (48,50km2)
Parks 19,0% (57,54km2)
Riga International Airport
Riga is divided into 6 administrative districts: Vidzemes district, Latgales district,
Arrival area
Zemgales district, Kurzemes district, Ziemeļu district and Centra district.
Phone/fax: +371 67292611
Religion
Christianity arrived in Latvia from the West and the East. The church is separate from the state in Latvia, although since the restoration of the country’s
independence, the importance of religion in the everyday lives of Latvia’s residents has increased to a significant degree. Increasing numbers of parents wish
to christen their children, while young couples more and more often wish to get married in church. Traditionally, the largest denominations in Latvia have
been the Lutheran, the Roman Catholic and the Russian Orthodox churches.
Language
The state language in Latvia is Latvian. Latvian is an Indo-European language, part of the Baltic branch of languages. The only two living languages in the
branch are Latvian and Lithuanian. Many people in Latvia also speak Russian.
Population
Latvia has fewer than 2.3 million residents at this writing. The ethnic composition of the population has changed again and again over the last several
centuries, and Latvia has always been inhabited by representatives of various ethnic groups. Latvia is certainly a multi-national country. The majority of
Latvia’s residents have long since lived in cities and towns. Rural regions tend to be quite sparsely populated. At the beginning of 2008, there were 717 371
permanent inhabitants in Riga. The density of the population was 2367,6 inhabitants per km2.
Climate
Average air temperature:
January -4,8°C
July +16,7°C
Information: www.meteo.lv
History of Riga
As a Liv Village, Riga exists since the 11th century.
1198 - For the first time the name of Riga was mentioned in the chronicles.
1201 - Bishop Albert, the Lord of the Bremen’s Town Hall, founded Riga as a medieval town.
1211 - The first school - Dom School - was founded in Riga.
1225-1226 - The Riga Town Council was established. The coat of arms of Riga was created.
1282 - Riga joined the Hanseatic League.
1297-1330 - The war between the Livonian Order and the Town of Riga.
1521-1524 - The start of the Reformation in Latvia. Riga became a Lutheran town.
1524 - The first public library was founded.
1558-1583 - The Livonian War. As a result, Riga was incorporated into the Polish-Lithuanian state.
1561-1581 - Riga obtained the status of a free town.
1581 - Riga swore loyalty to Stephan Batory, the King of Poland and Lithuania.
1584-1589 - As a result of the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar, “Calendar Unrests” broke out and were used by the Guilds and the Town Council to
fight for the dominance in the city.
1588 - The first printing house - the Mollin printing house – was opened in Riga.
1600-1629 - The Polish - Swedish War.
1621 - Riga was taken over by Sweden.
1656-1661 - The Russian - Swedish War; Riga was besieged by the army of the Russian tsar Aleksey.
1700-1721 - The Great Northern War; Riga was besieged by the Saxonian -Russian forces.
1710 - Riga was conquered by the Russian tsar Peter the Great.
1773 - The first museum - the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation - was opened.
1782 - The first public theatre was opened in Riga.
1812 - The Napoleon’s army approached Riga and Riga’s suburbs were burnt down; preconditions for the present street plan and construction were created.
1857-1863 - The dismantling of the Riga’s fortification walls started.
1868 - The foundation of the Riga’s Latvian Society. The period of the Latvian national awakening.
1873 - The first Latvia’s Song Festival.
2nd half of the 19th century - Riga - one of the most important cities in Russia, with flourishing industry and trade.
1901 - Riga’s 700th anniversary.
1914 - Beginning of World War I.
1915 - Industrial enterprises were evacuated from Riga as the front line approached.
18.11.1918 - The independent State of Latvia was proclaimed in Riga.
11.11.1919 - The Bermondt troops were defeated near Riga.
1920-1921 - The peace treaty was signed between Latvia and Soviet Russia. Latvia was recognized de jure by Western powers.
1920-1940 - Riga became the Latvia’s administrative, cultural, industrial, trade and educational centre.
17.06.1940 - Riga was occupied by the Soviet Army and the Soviet regime was established.
14.06.1941 - The 1st mass deportation of the Latvian population to Siberia in Russia.
01.07.1941 - Riga was occupied by the German troops.
13.10.1944 - Riga was recaptured by the Soviet troops and the Soviet regime was re-established.
1949 - The 2nd mass deportation of the Latvian population.
1988 - The start of the 3rd national awakening to restore the independence of Latvia.
04.05.1990 - The Declaration “On the Restoration of the Independence of Latvia” was adopted.
21.08.1991 - Latvia declared itself an independent democratic state.
2001 - The 800th anniversary of Riga.
Art Nouveau in Old Riga
We begin our tour with the first Art Nouveau building in Riga, at Audēju Street 7 (1899, architects Alfred Aschenkampff and Makss Scherwinsky). This is the
earliest Art Nouveau building in the city. It is a classical Art Nouveau design, with stylized plants (irises, blooming trees, reed mace) and fantasized human
faces. Most of these buildings are constructed by the architect M. Eisenstein.
Audēju Street 9 (1900, architect Konstantīns Pēkšēns). Here we find the motif of the sun - a motif that was so typical of Art Nouveau, symbolising, as it does,
the flourishing of new life. The sun motif can be found on many Art Nouveau buildings.
Teātra Street 9 (1903, architect Heinrich Scheel). This building is decorated with images of mythological gods – Athena and Hermes. The building is crowned
by Atlas, holding on his shoulders a globe that is made of glass and zinc. The globe is lit up at night.
Kalēju Street 23 (1903, architect Paul Mandelstamm). This building is distinguished by the corner portal that is in the form of the crown of a tree, and by the
gilded sun motif that is in the décor.
Kalēju Street 6. In the facade of the building, we see an engraved ornament of flowers that is typical of later Art Nouveau. The unusual metal flag holder that
is in the shape of a stylized dragon has survived.
Kaļķu Street 22 (1912-1913, architect Paul Mandelstamm) and Kaļķu Street 24 (1913-1917, architects Paul Mandelstamm and Herbert Timmer). Both
buildings have a vertical Art Nouveau design. These are typical office buildings with elements of Neo-Classicism. They have been rebuilt since their original
construction, but they have maintained their original shape.
Kaļķu Street 15 (1913, architect Jānis Alksnis). This is a typical commercial building from the early 20th century, built in the style of Neo-Classicism. It was
one of the first buildings in Riga to use a monolith cement carcass in its structure.
Meistaru Street 10 (1909, architect Friedrich Scheffel). Known as the “Cat House” because of the cats that sit atop its corner towers, this building was put
up specifically to display the owner’s superiority over the owners of the Great Guild building which is nearby. The facade has a medieval air to it, but it does
include some decorative motifs from the school of Art Nouveau, particularly in the portal. One of the portals has masks that are typical of Art Nouveau. The
house was named after the two black cats perched on the roof. At the turn of the century, the owner of the building was exiled from the Great Guild across the
street and ordered the cats to be turned with their tails towards the Guild. The cats were eventually turned back after a long court battle, and the man was
admitted back to the Guild.
Vaļņu Street 2 (1911, architect Edgars Freisendorfs). Of interest here is the entrance portal with its sculptural reliefs - one of the most expressive
manifestations of Art Nouveau relief in the city. There are copper statues of characters from Greek mythology - Asclepius, the god of medicine, and the Moira
Atropos, who was one of the goddesses of fate. The statues symbolize life, health and labor.
Smilšu Street 1/3 (1906, architect Nikolajs Proskurņiks from St Petersburg). This building is a combination of a variety of Art Nouveau motifs. An allegorical
depiction of Hope is at the centre of the structure.
Smilšu Street 2 (1902, architect Konstantīns Pēkšēns). This building is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau architecture in Riga. The facade is decorated with a
depiction of a peacock, which was one of the key elements of beauty and self-confidence in Art Nouveau. The bay is supported by trees which turn into the
figures of Atlantis and Caryatid. The reliefs on the building depict various hybrid beings, while the dormers are decorated with the motifs of the sun. The
building is “guarded” by masks of dogs. Specialists believe that the depiction of Hermes under the dormer is the most beautiful depiction of a female figure
in Rigensian Art Nouveau architecture.
Smilšu Street 3 (1910, architects Artur Medlinger and Hermann Seiberlich). This was originally the headquarters of a bank. The entrance portal from Smilšu
Street is decorated with reliefs which illustrate the idea of a bank as an international institution.
Smilšu Street 6 (1912, architect Wilhelm Bockslaff). This building was also put up as the headquarters of a bank. The gilded ornament reflects the influence
of Neo-Classicism.
Smilšu Street 8 (1902, architect Heinrich Scheel). This building features a wealth of masks, hybrid beings and flora. Above the side bays there are two
female figures holding a crown in their outstretched hands. The two portals feature another female figure with her eyes closed, depicting a melancholic air
that was typical of Art Nouveau. The decorations in the entrance hall are seen by specialists as a textbook example of the ornamental forms of Art Nouveau.
Smilšu Street 10 (1910, architect Ernest Pole). The facade of the upper floor of the building includes stylized elements of Neo-Classicism.
Šķūņu Street 4 (1911, architect Paul Mandelstamm). This used to be one of four multi-floor department stores in Riga. The windows in the stairwell feature
stained glass that is typical of the Art Nouveau period.
Šķūņu Street 10/12 (1902, architects Heinrich Scheel and Friedrich Scheffel). The facade of the building is decorated with the initials of the initial owner,
along with masks and motifs of flora. Above the bay in the building’s pediment there is a dog which is “guarding” the building.
Tirgoņu Street 4 (1900, architects Heinrich Scheel and Friedrich Scheffel ). This apartment and retail building its facade design is different.
Doma Square 8 (1913, architect Paul Mandelstamm). The pediment of this, a former bank building that was designed in the style of Neo-Classicism,
includes an allegoric composition that is typical of Art Nouveau.
Jauniela 25/29 (1903, architect Wilhlem Bockslaff). This building features various historical styles in its design, combined with ornamentation from the Art
Nouveau period. Seeking to ensure that the building fits in with its background, the architect divided it up into three segments and optically reduced its
height. A key element in the visual impression is the mask which stands against the motif of the sun.
M. Pils Street 6. Art Nouveau interior was reconstructed in 1996.
The most notable locations in Old Riga
1.The Dome Cathedral, 1 Doma Square (vörös téglás, önmagában álló)
The cornerstone for the Dome Cathedral, which is the seat of the archbishop of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church, was laid on 1211. The architecture
of the church includes elements of Early Gothic, Baroque and other styles, but the main building and the attached cloister form a harmonic ensemble
nevertheless. This is the largest church building in Latvia, and inside one can find many art treasures. The largest cathedral in the Baltics was founded by
Latvia`s Teutonic conquerors in the beginning of the 13th century under the bishop Albert. This well-known historical church has become an icon of the Old
Town of Riga. In the past centuries it has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, so presently it is a composite of different architectural styles. The
cathedral`s last reconstruction took place in 1776 the tower was raised to the height of 90m. The famous organ of the Dome cathedral was made in 1884, it
was the biggest organ in the world comprised of 6 718 pipes!
2 St. John’s Lutheran Church, 24 Skārņu Street (házsor tapad hozzá)
The church began its life as a chapel for a Dominican cloister that was established in 1234. It became a church in the late 13th century, and in 1582 it
became the first Latvian church in Rīga. The architecture of the church features a step-type pediment and magnificent arches inside. Major works of sacral
art can be : seen inside the church.
Dominican monastery : This monastery was founded at the site of the first palace of the bishop Albert, near the fortification wall. It was then passed into the
possession of the Dominican Order in 1234. Instead of the monastery`s chapel, St. John`s church was built next to it at the end of the 13th century. After
the Reformation, the monastery was turned into a shelter.
St. John's church was built in the Dominican monastery after 1234, first intended as a chapel. After expulsion of the Dominicans in the period of
Reformation, the building was privately owned – it was used as a furniture workshop and later as a weapon arsenal. In 1582 it became a part of the Latvian
parish. In 1587-89 the eastern part of the altar was added. In the 15th century two monks were immured here of their own free will. Only a small window in
the wall to pass them food and drinks was left. The spot where the monks were walled up, and subsequently buried, can be easily seen today, marked by a
cruciform barred aperture in the wall.
3 St. Jacob’s Catholic Church, 2 Klostera Street
Work on this Early Gothic structure began around 1226, according to written documents. This period of construction is represented in the interior of the
church by its arches. The Late Gothic period was the time when the attached St. Cross chapel was built. For a time it housed a lyceum – one of the first
educational institutions of its kind in Riga. The steeple was installed in 1756. There is a clock in its base, and a bell to ring alarms was installed in the upper
portion of the structure.
St. Jacob's is one of the oldest churches in Riga, references date back to 1225. At that time it was a church for the suburban residents. After the religious
Reformation in the early 16th century it became Lutheran in 1522, in 1582 it was given to the Catholic Order of Jesuits, in the 17th century it belonged to the
Swedish garrison and in 1922 the church was turned over to the Catholic community. Now it is Roman-Catholic.
4 St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 19 Skārņu Street
One of the most ancient examples of Medieval churches in the Baltic region, St. Peter’s was first built in the 13th century, although since then it has gone
through a number of building periods. A Baroque wooden steeple was installed in 1690 - the highest in the world at the time. The church was burned down
during World War II and restored only in 1973. The metal steeple is 123.25 meters high. The interior of the church contains ancient epitaphs and burial
plaques.
First mention of St. Peter's church was made in the year 1209. The church is one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in the Baltics, meant to be the
main church of the town. The church tower seemed to be jinxed, it was burned down and rebuilt many times trough the centuries. It first collapsed in 1666
and the last destruction it suffered was on St. Peter's Day in 1941. In 1973 the tower was restored for the last time. From the observation platform of the
tower you can enjoy a wonderful eagle's-eye view of Riga.
5a The Small Guild, 6 Amatu Street
The Small Guild was established in the mid-14th century, bringing together Rigensian craftsmen. It was during the same period that the building was put up.
The guild issued regulations related to the work of artisans in Riga. The patron saint of the guild is John the Baptist. The present-day building was built
between 1864 and 1866 on the basis of a design from the distinguished architect Johan Daniel Felsko. It is an example of the British Neo-Gothic style. The
beautiful interiors of the Small Guild building were restored in 2000.
5b The Great Guild, 5 Amatu Street
The Great Guild, for its part, was established in 1354 by tradesmen in Riga, and the guild monopolized trade in the city until the 19th century. The patron
saint of the guild is St. Mary. Fragments of the building’s original, 14th-century interiors can still be seen in the form of an ancient column. The present-day
structure was put up between 1854 and 1857. Today the building is the home of the Latvian Philharmonic Orchestra.
Both Guild houses were built over a century and a half ago. The Great Guild and the Small Guild are the "family nests" of two Riga families of tradesmen and
craftsmen. The Great Guild, also known in the Middle Ages as St. Mary Guild, united merchants, jewellers and writers. The eclectic Gothic style building was
constructed in the middle of the 19th century. In 1963, after a fire, it was rebuilt as a concert hall and now hosts the Philharmonics Society. The owners of
the Small Guild were an esoteric fellowship of craftsmen formed in the 13th century. In the middle of the last century they represented more than 400
professions and trades. Now the Small Guild serves cultural and entertainment needs such as artistic parties, concerts, youth disco parties.
6 The Melngalvju (Blackheads) House, 7 Rātslaukums (Townhallsquare) (piros-fehér, kék)
The origins of this structure date back to the 14th century, when a building was put up for the needs of city officials and tradesmen. The so-called
Blackheads Society, whose patron was St. Mauritius, took over the building in the 15th century, although the name “Blackheads House” dates back only to
1687. In 1713, the society won full ownership rights to the building. It once contained one of the world’s richest collections of silver objects. The building
was destroyed during World War II, but on June 29, 1995, the foundations for the structure that is seen today were laid. A memorial capsule was inserted
into the foundations. Work on the restoration was completed in 1999.
First mentioned in 1334, the building was owned by the Great Guild. In the 15th century the house was rented out to the Blackheads Merchant Guild and
became their property in 1713. Blackheads was an organisation of unmarried foreign merchants, existing in several Baltic medieval towns. The beautiful
Gothic building was destroyed in 1941, but it has now been rebuilt for the celebration of Riga`s 800th anniversary this summer.
7 The Gunpowder Tower, 20 Smilšu Street
This is one of the towers which helped to form the formerly walled city’s fortifications. Initially known as the Sand Tower, it dates back to 1330. It was rebuilt
several times and took on its present identity in the 17th century – logically enough because gunpowder was stored in the tower. A military museum was
installed in the tower in 1919. A new museum structure was attached between 1937 and 1939, and today there is an interesting and extensive exhibition at
the facility.
First mentioned in 1330, used to be called the Sand tower because it defended the city from the side of the Big Sand Road. The tower received its present
name in the 17th century when it was used to store gunpowder and cannonballs. The latter are still stored in the outside walls of the tower!
8 The Three Brothers, 19 Mazā Pils Street
The “three brothers” are an example of medieval residential structures in Riga - three buildings that were put up on very narrow strips of land. The facades
and interiors provide a textbook example of the development of architecture over the course of time. Mazā Pils iela 17 is the oldest stone residential building
in Riga (late 15th, early 16th century), and its distinctive chimney has been preserved. The facade is accepted with a step-type pediment and a Gothic niche.
Number 19 was put up in 1646, while Number 21 took on its appearance in the late 17th century. One of the walls in the interior yard of the structure
contains the oldest known city emblem of Rīga, along with some stone portals.
The "Three Brothers" are the best examples of residential buildings of medieval Riga. The "eldest brother" (No.17) was built in the 15th century and is the
oldest stone dwelling-structure in Riga.
9 The Freedom Monument
At the crossing of Brīvības blvd. and Raiņa blvd.
The Freedom Monument is a symbol of Latvia’s freedom and independence, erected by the architects Kārlis Zāle and Ernests Štālbergs. People donated
money for the project, which was completed in 1935. On the front wall of the monument is the inscription “Tēvzemei un Brīvībai”, or “For the Fatherland and
Freedom” - an expression of the meaning of the monument.
The monument was designed by the famous Latvian architect Karlis Zale and constructed in 1935. The bronze
casting of a woman (fondly nick-named "Milda" by the Latvian folk) holds up three golden stars in her hands.
The stars symbolise three Latvian regions: Latgale, Kurzeme and Vidzeme. The guard of honour stands sentinel
at the monument from 09.00 until 20.00, the hourly change of guard is very impressive!
Laima clock
Corner of Brivibas iela and Aspazijas bulv. (H-3).
This clock has always been a favourite meeting place of the Latvian youth and is strategically located next to the Freedom Monument
10 The Riga Castle, 3 Pils Square
The castle was built in 1330 as a residence for the master of the Livonian Order. The building was sacked in 1448, and in subsequent decades it was rebuilt
a number of times. Eventually it lost its medieval appearance. The lead tower was put up in the early 16th century, while the so-called three star towers was
erected in 1938. A new three-story addition was attached between 1785 and 1787 for the needs of the provincial institutions in the city. The White Hall was
installed in 1818. In 1938 the architect Eižens Laube redesigned the interiors so that they could be used by the government for ceremonial occasions. The
Red Hall was one of the results. The president of Latvia has offices and ceremonial facilities in the castle at this time but does not live there. The complex
also contains several museums.
The first castle built by the Order of the Sword Brothers around 1209 and originally named Wittenstein Castle ("made of white stone"). The castle was
destroyed by townsfolk in the civil war. Townspeople built a new castle for the Livonian Order at the site of the Holy Spirit hospital under the condition of
dismantling part of the town's fortification wall and opening the townfrom the castle side. The tower of the Holy Spirit and a fragment of the fortification wall
were added to the castle that was built under the supervision of Master D.Kriege in 1330–1353. In 1484 the citizens destroyed this building as well, but this
time they were forced to rebuild it and the reconstruction was completed by 1515. In the 16th and 17th centuries the castle was incorporated into the
town's fortification system. In the 18th cent. several wings were added and the castle was used as a public building by Polish and Swedish officials, the
moat surrounding the castle was filled up and the square near the castle was constructed. In the 18th century it became a residence for Russian Governor
General.
Nowadays the castle is the President's residence.
St. George's Church
St. George's church was founded on the spot of the Riga Castle chapel built for the Order of the Sword Brothers in 1204. After the Reformation victory in the
first half of the 16th century, when most Catholic monasteries and churches had been destroyed, the "Brown Dove" and the "White Dove" – were placed in
the church. Now the church houses the Museum of Decorative and Applied Art.
Rolands' statue
In the 14th century Roland's statues appeared all over Northern Germany as a symbol of justice and freedom. He was considered to be a just judge,
defender of the accused and therefore his statue was placed in Town Hall Square in front of the Guilds of Hanseatic cities. His wooden statue also
symbolising a brave knight served as a moving target during the tournaments, which were popular in the 15th century. As a result of "injuries" sustained
during these, it had to be repaired several times and on December 11, 1896 a 6.3m high stone statue designed by Vilhelm Neumann and August Volz
replaced it. Today in the centre of the square we can see its replica. It is interesting to learn that the pointed end of Rolands` sword was the point from which
different distances in Riga and Latvia where counted.
Swedish Gate
The Swedish Gate was added to the city`s old fortification wall in 1698 to celebrate the Scandinavian occupation of Riga. At the time the city`s executioner
resided in the apartment above the gate. An exceedingly romantic and considerate fellow, he placed a red rose in his window the night before a good
execution, duly notifying the sick and the curious public of the pending sordid act – thoughtful, eh? A fragment of the fortification wall has been restored
nearby on Tornu street.
Mezaparks (Forest park)
Mez prospekts (Take tram Nº11 to its final stop).
Once the most luxurious residential district of Riga. The construction was started in 1902, although most of the houses were erected before WWI and in the
1920s - 1930s. You can admire different architectural styles: Art Nouveau, National Romanticism, Rationalism.
Brethren cemetery (Bralu kapi)
Berzu aleja (Take tram Nº11 to Bralu kapi stop in the direction of Mezaparks).
Truly one of the most striking memorials in Latvia, built as a tribute to the 2 000 soldiers that fell during WWI & II. The cemetery was designed by the famous
Latvian sculptor Karlis Zale (see also Freedom Monument) and by the architects A. Birzenieks, P. Feders and garden architect A. Zeidaks, from 1924 until
1936.