The historical center of the Latvian capital, where the most interesting attractions are located. In the depths of the winding streets of the Old City, you can still feel the indescribable atmosphere of the Middle Ages. Traditional architecture for Northern Europe can be traced here in every structure and in every bend of the paved stone pavement.

XIV century castle on the bank of the river Daugava (Dvina). It was built for the masters of the Livonian Order. As a result of numerous battles waged by the warlike brothers, the castle was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. Since the second half of the XVI century, the structure has been alternately owned by Polish, Swedish and Russian crowned heads. Since 1922, the castle has become the residence of the Latvian president.

The historical building of the Riga City Hall appeared in the XIII century, but it was destroyed as a result of shelling and fire in 1941. Only ruins with surviving fragments of the facade remained of the town hall. Restoration began only in the late 90s of the XX century. The new building was completed by 2003. It is an almost complete copy of the historical town hall.

The building is a new model, built in the late 90s in a typical manner for Northern European cities. Earlier, from the XIV century until 1941, a historical structure with the same name was located in its place. It belonged to the merchant brotherhood of the Blackheads, who adapted it for trade and entertainment. For many centuries, the House of the Blackheads was considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Riga.

The house is located within the Old Town, it is one of the popular attractions of the Latvian capital. The building was erected at the beginning of the XX century according to the project of F. Shefela. It is believed that the figures of cats on the towers appeared thanks to the idea of the merchant Blumer – the former owner of the house. The animals were turned with their backs to the windows of the merchant guild, where Blumer was refused admission. Thus, the cunning man took revenge on the guild leadership.

The building of the XVII century, where the oldest pharmacy in the city is located. In addition to medicines, ink, gunpowder and cosmetics have been sold here for two centuries. It is generally believed that the recipe for the famous Riga balm was invented in this pharmacy. The tincture contains several hundred herbs, oils, berries and fruits as ingredients. It was used as an analgesic.

A complex of residential buildings in the historical center of Riga, preserved since the XV century. It is an example of medieval urban planning. The buildings are located so close to each other that it seems as if they are one structure. Presumably, the "Three Brothers" were built by artisans from the same family. People still live in the houses.

Buildings that once belonged to the most influential Riga craft and trade guilds - Large and Small. In the middle of the XIV century, these two associations left the Guild of St. The cross. The premises were built in the XIX century in the style of English Neo-Gothic. The interiors are decorated with original chandeliers, beautiful stained glass windows and decorative wall paintings.

Barracks of the XVII century, erected for the Swedish military by the residents of Riga. After the city was conquered by Sweden, the citizens were obliged to maintain a military garrison on their territory. Under Peter I, the barracks were demolished and rebuilt in the style of Dutch classicism. Since the XIX century, administrative services, a school, and a labor exchange have been located here. Currently, the complex belongs to the American Chamber of Commerce.

An architectural monument of the XIV-XVIII centuries, where the residence of the Order of the Sword was previously located. It is located in one of the oldest quarters of Riga. Several centuries ago, there was an order castle here, which was subsequently destroyed. In connection with the relocation of the friars to another place, a convention (in another way, a shelter) was opened on the territory of the complex.

A small street built up in an interesting architectural manner called Jugendstil (the German name for Art Nouveau). Most of the structures were erected in just two years according to the projects of M. Eisenstein. The Riga Art Nouveau Museum, embassies, offices, administrative buildings are located here. Albert Street is called the "pearl of Art Nouveau".

Part of the ancient city fortifications of Riga, which has come down to our days in fairly good condition. The tower appeared even before the conquest of the city by the Livonian Order, but the structure was destroyed in the XVII century (but soon it was restored). During the reign of the Russian Empire, it was decided to destroy the entire system of fortifications of Riga, and leave the powder tower as a memory.

The gate, created at the beginning of the XVIII century during the Swedish occupation of Riga. Now this building is a recognized architectural monument of Latvia and the whole of Europe, as it has come down to our days almost in its original form. A Swedish garrison was stationed near the gate, so the passage was mainly used by the military.

Medieval temple, famous for its high bell tower. The height of the tower is 123.5 meters, the spire is 64.5 meters. The facade of the bell tower is decorated with an antique clock, and the top is crowned with a weather vane — a golden cockerel. The tower of the Church of St. Petra dominates the buildings of the historical center of Riga, stands out favorably against the background of lower structures. Near the temple there is a monument to the Bremen Town musicians.

The Cathedral of Riga of the XIII century, one of the largest temples in the whole Baltic States. The cathedral belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia. The building is an example of the transition of the medieval Romanesque style to the Northern European Gothic. Individual fragments of the interior decoration are made in the Renaissance style. One of the main attractions of the temple is a grandiose organ 25 meters high, consisting of almost 7 thousand pipes.

Cathedral of the Orthodox Church of Latvia. Funds for its construction were allocated by the Russian Emperor Alexander II, and the autocrat also presented the future church with 12 bells. In the 60s of the XX century, the interior was almost completely destroyed, a cafe, a planetarium and other institutions were placed on the territory of the cathedral. The restoration began in the 90s after the collapse of the USSR.

The main Catholic church of Riga, first mentioned in documents of the beginning of the XIII century. The structure is made of brick, it is an example of the transition from the Romanesque style to the Gothic architectural style. During the church Reformation, the cathedral experienced many pogroms and arson, as a result of which many cultural values were lost.

The most famous and famous musical theater of the country, where leading soloists perform and world masterpieces of ballet and opera art are staged. The stage opened in 1919 with a production of R. Wagner's The Flying Dutchman. Every year the opera hosts up to 200 performances, of which five or seven are premieres. Both classical productions and modern interpretations of operas created by young authors are equally successful.

An architectural monument of the beginning of the XX century in the historical center of the Latvian capital. At first a German gymnasium was located here, then a commercial school, only by the middle of the XX century the Latvian Academy of Arts was opened. The construction project was developed by V. Boxlaf. According to the architectural idea, the complex should symbolize the strong connection of Riga with the Hanseatic League (trade and political association of cities in Northwestern Europe).

The museum is located on the territory of the architectural ensemble of the Dome Cathedral. This is one of the oldest expositions in Latvia, founded in the XVIII century. Collections collected by various historical and archaeological communities of the Baltic States are exhibited here. The museum collections contain more than half a million exhibits. They are located in the halls according to the theme and chronology.

The Art Gallery of Latvia, where the most impressive exposition is assembled, from ancient Egyptian art to the latest period of modernity. Paintings by representatives of German Romanticism, the Belgian and Dutch schools are stored and exhibited here. It will also be interesting to look at the artifacts of the Ancient world, and art objects of Medieval Europe.

The official name of the gallery is the Latvian National Art Museum. There are more than 52 thousand exhibits on display here: extensive collections of Latvian masters, canvases by European and Russian artists. Among the famous paintings are works by N. Roerich, J. Rosenthal, I. Aivazovsky, V. Purvitis. Temporary exhibitions of famous masters of the brush are constantly organized on the territory of the gallery.

A museum dedicated to the period of the history of Latvia from 1940 to 1991. The main part of the exposition is devoted specifically to the Soviet period of Latvian history, the period 1941-1944 – the German occupation. The museum's exposition puts the personalities of Stalin and Hitler on the same level, and also actually equates Nazi Germany and its destructive activities with the USSR. Because of this, some visitors evaluate the collections of the Museum of Occupation very ambiguously.

One of the best automobile museums in Europe. The exhibition is based on the collection of the Latvian Antique Car Club. The museum was created thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts who were passionate about the restoration of old cars and dreamed of a separate building where the results of their work could be placed. The first models of Moskvich, Fiat, Mercedes, BMW and many other well-known and not so well-known brands are exhibited here.

A real "gastronomic paradise" of the Latvian capital, where you can buy the freshest and most delicious products. The market is divided into five pavilions: meat, vegetable, fish, dairy and gastronomic. Flowers, clothes and everyday items are sold on the territory outside the pavilions. All kinds of smoked meats are in particular demand among tourists: poultry, countless assortment of fish, sausages and other delicacies.

A monument erected in honor of Latvia's independence in 1935. It is a sculpture of a woman standing on a high pedestal. The woman holds three stars in her hands, symbolizing the historical regions of Latvia. At the foot of the pedestal there is a sculptural group consisting of historical characters from various periods. The monument is located on one of the central streets near the Old Riga.

One of the most picturesque and popular landscape parks in Riga, founded on the territory of a private garden in the XIX century. Arcadia Park has undergone several reconstructions – at first it was an exotic garden with unusual plants and greenhouses, where rare species of palm trees were grown, then it turned into an entertainment complex and eventually became a public city park for walking and recreation.

A city park, equipped at the expense of the widow Anna Verman and named in her honor. At the beginning of the XIX century, there was a swampy area on this place, which caused a lot of anxiety and inconvenience to the residents of Riga. Then the authorities had the idea to drain the swamp and set up a public park, and a rich widow donated a large sum of money for this good event.

The TV and radio broadcasting tower is 368.5 meters high, the tallest structure of its kind in the entire Baltic States and the third tallest in Europe. The tower is located on the island of Zakusala. Inside the structure, at a 99-meter height, there is an observation deck, from where you can admire the panorama of the Gulf of Riga and the views of the city itself. The Riga TV Tower was built in the period 1979-1986 .

An elegant engineering structure, one of the symbols of the dynamic modern Riga. The bridge was built in 1981. At that time it was the longest hanging span over the river in the Soviet Union. The length of the main pontoon is more than 300 meters, the total width is more than 28 meters. The bridge carries the movement of cars and public transport, trolleybus lines are also laid.