Riga City Travel Guide Business & Tourist Travel Information
Riga sightseeing Riga attractions Riga history Riga restaurants Riga clubs Riga nightlife Riga accommodation Riga hotels Riga apartments & Riga weather
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Riga City Guide - Business & Tourist Travel Information
History Of Riga
The City of Riga history that can be traced back to the 1201. After being ruled by Germanic peoples it became a province of Poland Sweden and Russia before becoming an independent state at the end of WW1. Full details.
Attractions And Sightseeing in Riga
The most symbolic sightseeing attraction in Riga, certainly from a Latvian perspective is The Freedom Monument at Brivibas Street Bulvoris. At some angles from a distance this 42 metre monument could be mistaken as a radio transmitter. Close up this construction is a statue of a female clasping three joined gold stars which represent the historic Latvian provinces of Latgale, Kurzeme and Vidzeme. Inscribed on its base are words which translated mean 'For the Fatherland and Freedom'. Built in 1935 to celebrate Latvia's recent independence from Russia it's importance was to become more poignant as a simple of hope with coming of WW2 and the loss of freedom for the next fifty years.
St Savour's Church at Pils iela is an attractive red brick Church of England Church. It was built in 1857 by British Traders on soil shipped over from Britain. During Communist rule it served as a music club. Since then it has become inaugurated as a church again - but it still holds occasional classical music concerts. St Peter's Church at Kalku - Skarna is aesthetically one of the most outstanding features of the skyline in Riga's Old Town. St Peters has been on this spot for centuries but it has been rebuilt many times having being destroyed several times during wars an on several occasions the spire has been severely damaged by lightening. Visitors can climb the spire and be rewarded with an incredible overview of Riga.
The Museum of Natural History at Barona 4 contains a somewhat bizarre collection of exhibits including exotic animals, fossils and an interactive learning game. A good place to take the children as is The Lido Recreation Centre at Krasta 76 which has many child activities including an enormous skating ring. The Central Market at Pregas lela is an indoor market housed in former zepplin hangers. Ii is one of Europe's biggest markets with hundreds of stalls that sell an A -Z of goods including alcohol, clothing and food. More conventional shopping can be found in the shopping malls at Riga Railway Station. Though not as big as a similar set up in Leipzig apart from normal shops it contains dozens of cafes, fast food shops and even a cocktail bar. The station itself is a centre for domestic and international rail services.
More sobering is a visit to The Riga Ghetto at Maskavas. In 1940 about 5,000 Latvian Jews were deported from here to Siberia by the Russian army. The following year the Nazis locked 300 Jews into the local synagogue and threw grenades through the windows. Those who were not killed by the grenades were burnt to death by the fire that followed.
Rare Examples Of Historic Wooden Architecture
Up until the 1930s many buildings in Riga were constructed from wood - a practice which had largely died out in other European town and cities by the end of the 19th century. Across Europe the practice of building homes from wood had become unpopular because several cities where these buildings were commonplace had suffered extensive fires and in some quarters wooden homes were often frowned upon by the middle classes as they indicated poverty.
Post WW2, many cities in Soviet controlled Eastern Europe had these buildings replaced by state controlled sprawling housing projects, but in Riga these projects floundered. Consequently Riga is not saturated with examples of this hideous architecture which was rife in the 60s and 70s an it has quite a few older buildings constructed out of wood. Some of these buildings date back to the 18th century. They include the and Depkina, Hartmaņa, Kleistu and Nordeķu estates along with Daugavgrīvas Street 28. The latter is an interesting residential manor building.
One building that is particularly well preserved is Daugavgrīvas Street 67 built in the first half of the 19th century. Generally these buildings are one or two or levels. In the second half of 19th century many such buildings were constructed and some Latvian architects designed some notable buildings - (often with very impressive staircases) these include including: in O. Vācieša Street 5 (1872 Bars), in Brīvības Street 100 (1899 Felsko) and at Balasta dambis 38 (1907 Alksnis).
Restaurants In Riga
There are a number of good restaurants in the shopping mall at the main railway station but there are quite a few in the old town .One surprising local custom is that in many self-service restaurants in Riga you are charged according to the total weight of your selection
.One example of this The Kirbis at Doma Laukums 1 in the Old Town. This very good vegetarian restaurant is thus very good value for money. The Lido Recreation Centre at Krasta 76 also offers good salads and rice dishes plus yoghurt and fruit. Healthy eating! The Marrutku Maizites at Krama 4 offers a range of Eastern Europe food and a compatible range of Vodka! The food is good and very cheap. It's main attraction is the old decor which gives you the impression that one of Stalin's foot soldiers may appear at any moment.
Vermanitis at 65 Elizabeth Iela ( Tel: 728 6829 ) is another self service affair selling Latvain and some international dishes. Plenty of good meat dishes but a little cramped. The Cau Rasma at 20 Aspazijas bulv. (Tel: 704 4226) is particularly atmospheric. This restaurant and bar in a cellar sell traditional Latvian food. The portions are generous and it sometimes has live music as well.
The Sveiks at 23 Stabu iela is a basement pub selling czech food and beer . The knedli and veggie dishes are good fayre. The Tower at 7 Smilsu iela (Tel : 721 6155) in the Old Town is a scandinavian restaurant with some traditional specialties. The gravad lax and kalvrulader are very good and so is their version of the famous Finnish blueberry pie. Exceptional value.
Riga Night Clubs
Riga is fast gaining a reputation for the the liveliest nightlife in.The Baltic. Two clubs that worth a visit depending on your taste are: Klub Depo at 32 Valnu iela. This recently refurbished club offers house, techno, jazz and underground from 9pm. For more details go to www.klubdepo.lv The Voodoo Club at (Reval Hotel Latvija) at 55 Elizabetes iela has a night club every day which is aimed at the mature club goer. R'n'B and good House music are the order of the night here + absolute vodka In Old Rīga, and the surrounding areas there are numerous bars nightclubs and restaurants. In summer open-air cafes and beer gardens magically appear out of the blue around the LIV Square. In winter the square itself is transformed into an ice rink. Some visitors to Riga return convinced this part of the world is busier at midnight than midday but who notices things at midday after an all night party.
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Crime and Personal Safety & Security In Riga
Some tourists are the targets of criminals. There have been several reports of tourists in casinos have their drinks spiked before leaving and subsequently being robbed Some areas of this city, especially those away from the main centre, particularly at night, are a problem with street robberies on those travelling alone. At night always avoid unlit streets and parks, at night travel by taxis whenever possible. During the day pick pocketing occurs in tourist areas.
Accommodation In Riga Hotels & Apartments etc |
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