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Riga Overview
Modern Riga is on the grounds of an ancient settlement established by the Finnic tribe Livs.The city's river, the Ridzene was originally called the Riga River and it thought that the this where the city derived its name. Historians generally agree that Riga's modern origins can be attributed to Gernan traders and Relgious crusades that travelled to Latvia in the 12th century. It is known that the merchants established a trading post within the Liv settlement in 1158 and a that an Augustinian Monastery was built there in 1190.
In 1201 the Arcbishop of Hamburg landed 1500 armed Christian crusaders in Riga board 23 ships and declared Riga to be a city. In 1282 Riga joined the Hanseatic League - an informal political and trade union of Northern German and Baltic cities. This gave Riga economic stabilty and military stability until the 16th century.
In 1581, Riga joined the Polish and Lithuanian Commonwealth but was occupied three years after the start of the Thirty Years War in 1918 by Sweden. In 1656 the army Russian Army unsuccesfully laid siege to the city during its war wirh Sweden. A further Russian Swedish war in 1710 resulted in Russia invading Riga and in 1721 by treaty, it became Russian terrority. By 1900 Riga, in industrial terms, was the third biggest city in Russia. In 1891 Russia imposed its own language on Latvia (which had previously had been Germanic in an administrative context) even though they made up only 6% of the population. continued below.
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 Saviour'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 inaugrated 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 convential 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.
p>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.| Accommodation In Riga Hotels & Apartments etc |
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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 undergound 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 maturer 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 numerousr bars nightclubs and restaurants. In summer open-air cafés 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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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 intersting 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 buidings were constructed and some Latvian architects designed some notable buidings - (often with very impressive staircses) these include including: in O. Vācieša Street 5 (1872 Bars), in Brīvības Street 100 (1899 Felsko) and at Balasta dambis 38 (1907 Alksnis).
Austria................. Belarus .............. Belgium............. Czech Republic Denmark ......... Estonia .............. Finland ............... Germany ............ Ireland ................ Italy ...................... Lithuania ............ Netherlands ...... Norway ............... Poland................ Russia .............. Sweden .............. Ukraine ............ United Kingdom
Restaurants In Riga
There are a number of good restaurants in the shppping 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 youghurt 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 Stalins foot soldiers may appeat 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 veggy dishes are good fayre. The Tower at 7 Smilsu iela (Tel : 721 6155) in the Old Town is a scandinavian restaurant with some traditional specialities. The gravad lax and kalvrulader are very good and so is their version of the famous Finnish blueberry pie. Exceptional value.
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.
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Public Transport In Riga
Public transport in Riga consists of 38 bus routes, 23 trolleybus routes and 11 tram routes. A journey on any mode of transport costs 30LS (flat fare) and these are purchased when you board. Tickets can bought from Kiosks but you must say what type of transport you are travelling on. Monthy travel passes are also available.
Riga Card: This is a pass for all public transport and will also give you admission to most museums and discounts at other venues. Cards cost: 24hr 8LS, 48hr 12LS & 72hr 16L. Under 16 - 50%. Available from The Riga Tourism Information centre, Rātslaukums 6. website.or email.
Most of these services start around 05.30 and finish around midnight. Some routes have an hourly night service. There is also a minibus service which is slightly more expensive but a much more comfortable way to travel.
Full details of all these services, in English Latvian and Russian are given on the Riga Transport website.
In 1917 as a result of WW1 and the Russian Revolution, Germany Invaded Riga, but the occupation ended on November 11th 1918 when the Armistice Treaty forced the Germans and Russian to leave the Baltic States and give them their indepence. Riga became the Capital of Latvia. In the following two decades Riga flourished and increased its economic and political relationships with Western Europe and distanced itself from Russia.
In 1940 after the the outbreak of WW2 the Soviets occupied Riga and Latvia followed by the Germans in 1941. During the three year German occupation, the indigenious Germans (about 25% of Riga's population) were forcibly repatriated to Germany. The Latvian Jewish community were forced into the Makavas Ghetto and then the Kaizerwald concentration camp. At the end of the war when the Soviets occupied the country Latvia had lost around a third of its population.
The Soviets deported many Latvian to Russia and Siberia for alleged collaboration with the Nazis and replaced them with Russians and other non Latvians from Eastern Europe. By 1975 only 45% Riga's population where Latvians. Following the fall of communism on September 6th 1991 Russia slowly withdrew its military forces over three years.
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Riga International Airport Information
Latest Flight Information From Riga Airport
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Spacious airport, exceptionally clean wide range of well managed facilties including 4 banks, post office, business zone, shops, 3 cafes, restaurant and a video game and pool area which is open 24 hours.
Low Cost Airlines To & From Riga
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History Of Riga
Travel From Riga Airport To Central / Downtown Riga
Riga Airport is about 14 KLM from central Riga. Bus Route 22 provides a direct link from the Airport. The bus leaves from the rear of the car park. The service frequency varies between 10 -30 minutes from 5.30am to approximately 10.30pm. Normal journrey time 30 minutes. Fare of 0.20LVL.
Route 22A provides a similiar service to specified hotels in central Riga. A taxis from the airport to central Riga takes about 15 minutes and should cost about 5.00LVL.
Weather Forecast & Average Monthly Temperatures In Riga Latvia
| Ave Sun hours | Temperature | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average | Record | ||||
| Min | Max | Min | Max | ||
| Jan | 1 |
-10 |
-4 |
-28 |
4 |
| Feb | 2 |
-10 |
-3 |
-28 |
5 |
| Mar | 4 |
-7 |
2 |
-23 |
21 |
| Apr | 6 |
1 |
10 |
-11 |
24 |
| May | 7 |
6 |
16 |
-5 |
29 |
| Jun | 11 |
9 |
21 |
-1 |
32 |
| July | 10 |
11 |
22 |
4 |
33 |
| Aug | 9 |
11 |
21 |
0 |
32 |
| Sep | 6 |
8 |
17 |
-1 |
29 |
| Oct | 3 |
4 |
11 |
-7 |
23 |
| Nov | 1 |
-1 |
4 |
-16 |
17 |
| Dec | 1 |
-7 |
-2 |
-27 |
7 |
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