One of the Riga Landfills is on the way to Tukums. Basically this dump located on some secondary road, to hide the real pollution of the local environment made by waste materials. When you stay in front this landfill, it seems to be endless.. And the smell.. this terrible smell spreads around.
These three Twelfe-storey apartments located in Daugavgriva area (take look at Ilguciems 12s), which is Bolderaja neighbourhood for most Riga people. But actually it is separated neighbourhood with interesting history. Daugavgriva area has own fortress, which was the river post control for ships coming to Riga harbour during several centuries. Basically Daugavgriva is an island, and connecting to Bolderaja by bridge.
Latvijas Etnogrāfiskais brīvdabas muzejs (Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum) is one of the largest and the most interesting museums in Riga. The huge collection of all ethnic group households living in Latvia territory for the past thousands years. The territory of museum is almost one square kilometer, so it will take a while to see all exhibits.
Being so busy last week, I missed how people of Latvia entered in the Guinness Book of World Records :) How? Just 1911 volunteers came to Andrejsala and have put Mentos in the bottle of Coca-Cola. Yes, that's it! :) Here is nice video as well.
Trokšņu iela (Noisy Street) is very narrow street in Old Town, basically it is one of Riga historical sights. This area has rich history, it was formed next to city wall in the 13Th century. It is Noisy because of a lot of trade shops was here. In the 19Th century Trokšņu iela became the haunt of prostitutes who rented the one-roomed apartments in houses along the street. At that time you only needed to clap your hands and women's heads would appear from the upper windows beckoning you to enter. Nowadays Noisy street looks more as Calm street, because of its small size and quiet location next to Latvian Parliament. Swedish Gate located on Troksnu iela.
Centrālais tirgus (Central Market) is one of the most impressive buildings in Riga. Uncommonly giant pavilions are always full of people buying food. These pavilions are just the beginning of the huge market which stretches far away. I would recommend to visit market until the noon to feel the right atmosphere :) See also another popular photo of pavilion.
Jāņi is the next day after Līgo, actually word Jāņi is the right name for all this two days celebration of midsummer. The name Jānis (John in English) delivered from Latvian mythology, as one of the pagan Gods name. Nowadays name Jānis is absolutely the most popular name in Latvia among Latvians. Actually, every tenth Latvian man has name Jānis. It is amazing, isn't? :) Of course, that 24th of June is name day for all people who has name Janis By the way, for many Latvians name day is more important than birthday.
23th of June is a Latvian national holiday Līgo (Ligo) aka Jāņi (Jani). Today people celebrate the summer solstice. Usually it takes two days and one night. So all the people go to the countryside, closer to the lakes, rivers and the woods :) One of the Ligo traditional things is a bonfire. Bonfire should be as big as possible :) But it conflicts to another Ligo tradition - jumping over fire :)
Yesterday Rigans were fascinated by Lenny Kravitz performance in Arena Riga. Despite being late for more than one hour, it was one of the best shows what Riga has ever seen. Lenny Kravitz is not only overly talented, he is also one of those few artists who is a walking charisma on stage; by the middle of the show even our cold Baltic people were so heated up, it was crazy. Lenny instantly connects with the audience, he let people to follow his 2-hour journey on stage called Love Revolution.
Skārņu iela (Door Leaf street) is and old town street, passing by Peters Church backyard. Despite it shortness, it has a lot of café with terraces and the whole bunch of interesting museums. The street has its name because centuries ago here were a lot of hay courtyards shut by gates softly. Skarnu iela starts at Kalku iela and ends almost therewith at Grecinieku iela.
Garciems (Long Village) is a small village in the North-East of Riga. Generally built up with small private houses and steadings. Garciems is famous for its immediate proximity to the Sea and for its wide marshlands which attracts mushroomers of different ages :)
Riga - Maskava aka Рига - Москва (Riga - Moscow) is one of few regular international train routes connecting Latvia to the rest of the world ;) Moscow route is the most popular, especially during the summer, more than 20 carriages full of people departing twice per day from Riga Railway Station to Riga Station in Moscow.
Daugavgrīvas tilts (Daugavgriva bridge) is a small double bridge over small river Buļļupe (Bull river) connecting Bolderaja neighbourhood to Daugavgriva area. One bridge handles railway traffic, but second is for cars, pedestrians and bicycles. The second part of the bridge was built just 6 years ago, in year 2002. Before 2002, railway bridge was multipurpose bridge for more than 50 years. BTW, is a good place for diving :)
Rīgas Starptautiskā autoosta (Riga International Bus Station) is one of the major transport nodal points in Latvia. Located in very center of Riga, autoosta serves domestic and international routes in more than 30 European countries. The buses go to the closest capitals Vilnius and Tallinn almost every second hour, even during the night time. Trip to Vilnius or Tallinn takes about 4 hours, and the price is less than 15 Euro in one way.
Pulvera tornis aka Pulverturm (Powder Tower) is the only remaining tower of City Wall. Located at the end of Wall Street, it is one of Riga medieval sights. Pulverturm was built in 14th century, and originally was named as Smilšu tornis (Sand tower) because of the main sand road coming to Riga. It was rebuilt several times, last annex was built in 1930s, and the tower became as part of Art of War Museum.
Riga TV center was built together with Riga TV Tower and finished in 1987, just one year after Riga Tower. TV Center became one of the tallest buildings in Riga, nowadays activity of Latvian Television is very low, so everybody can rent small office there with their perfect Riga panoramic view. see the same TV Center building from behind.
Lucavsala is an island in the middle of Riga on Daugava river. Despite its very vantage location Lucavsala remains very undeveloped area in geographical center of Riga. It is fully occupied by gardens and small summer houses. Riga TV Tower can be seen from any point on Lucavsala, which is the tallest tower in European Union.
15 years ago here was Soviet style hotel Турист or Tūrists (Tourist), like in every big Soviet city. After biggest German hotel network Maritim bought this building, it has been reconstructed to modern style hotel and was named as Maritim Hotel. But surroundings of that hotel people still name after Tuourist area :)
Last weekend driving from Riga to Tukums could be seen such picture. A semi-trailer truck felt down into ditch breaking several trees. I like the colours of rescuing truck :)
This lake is a former quarry. Due very close location to Bolderaja Cemetery, the lake contains ptomaine which is dangerous for people. Officials do not recommend swim here, but do not forbid. So people come here anyway, because water in Bolderājas karjers (Bolderaja quarry) is much warmer than in Sea, which is less than 5km from here.
A cloverleaf interchange at the intersection of Jūrkalnes iela and Kārļa Ulmaņa gatve Jurkalnes iela is the road which connects Zolitude area to Riga Airport. Karla Ulmana gatve is the main highway which connects Riga City and Jurmala Resort Town.
Sensation White is the one of the biggest music events globally. Yesterday it was held in Arena Riga. Sensation gathered 15,000 of House and Trance music fans, so it became the biggest indoor dance event in the whole Baltic States. People from neighbour countries came to Riga to watch amazing performance by world famous DJs like David Guetta, Markus Schulz, Fedde LeGrand and others. Fantastic show using fire, water and lasers, beautiful girls, many friendly people and loud music made Sensation White highly astonishing.
Св. Троицкий Задвинский приход aka Рижская православная церковь Св. Троицы (Riga Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, in Latvian Rīgas Sv. Trijādības pareizticīgo baznīca) is the only Orthodox Church in Pardaugava. It has not only colourful design, but very long and interesting history. The Church in that area was hundreds years before Riga was founded by Roman Catholic Bishop Albert. At that time this area was an island with still bays and it was important point on the Trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks. Travelling traders, loggers, craftsman lived here, and many of them were members of the Orthodox Church. During ages the Church was rebuilt, moved and renamed several times. Last time it was built anew in 1895 in Moscow Orthodox architecture style.
Everyday tens of people gathering in Vermane Garden to play chess, checkers, dominoes, cards and other games. Some of them earn money playing the whole day :) You can earn even not playing. There is many experts around who wanna bet :)
Sāpju Dievmātes Romas katoļu baznīca (Virgin of Anguish Roman Catholic Church) located at Pils iela in Old town. Church was built in 1761 as wooden building, then it was rebuilt several times. It looks as today's since 1895. See also Holy Trinity Church.
Daugavgrīvas šoseja (Daugavgrivas Highway) is a narrow but busy road, which connects North-West areas (Bolderaja and Daugavgriva) to Ilguciems and further to Riga Center. This road is one of the most dangerous in Riga. Many traffic accidents in the past led to overtaking ban on this road.
The Route of 10th Tramway was started on 1925. It initially ran as it does now. The 10 runs from Central Market along 11th November embankment, then crosses Daugava over Stone Bridge, then runs along Uzvaras blvd, Ojara Vaciesa st., Frica Brivzemnieka st., Vienibas highway, Tipografijas st., and Bauskas street. The circle is at Bisu muiza Its unique because of single track in half of the route. Not all stops have crossing loops where trams in opposing directions can pass each other. This line is fraught with difficulties, including delays and little accidents.
Riga is quite good city for night living and it doesn't mean only that Riga is full of bars and clubs. It means that you can do a lot of things even during the night time, for example buy shoes. But since 2004 in Latvia is a law, that you can't buy alcoholic beverages from 22:00 till 07:00. But anyway few local shops (sometimes called as Tochka) still sell alcoholic drinks for the whole Riga during the night time, under the counter of course. One of the most famous Tochkas is Lapa, located on Lapu iela (Leaf Street), Agenskalns. During the nights Lapa is always busy, a lot of people, taxis, luxurious and cheap cars standing in queue to buy illegal alcohol.
Riga Photos, Top Stories, Wonderful Sights, Remarkable Places, Typical & Famous People, Travel Guides & Official Information, Shopping, Party & Nightlife, Glamour & Fashion Clubs, Sport & Crowdy Bars, Alternative & Underground Pubs, Luxurious & Cheap Hotels, Live Webcams, News, Vague Rumors & Wild Facts about the biggest City in Baltic States
