Temporary Riga photos are being published not in a regular manner due to blog author has moved to Vilnius.

Balasta Dambis Mainland

Beginning of Balasta Dambis
Balasta Dambis (Stranded levee) is one of the most beautiful streets in Riga, because of the nice views you get when you walk through it.
Balasta Dambis originates at Raņķa dambis in Agenskalns (mainland part) and runs into Kipsala (island part) where it twists along Daugava river.
This picture has been taken at the crossroads of Ranka dambis and Balasta dambis, where this street begins.
See also Swedbank skyscaper.

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Palasta iela

Palace street in Riga
Palasta iela (Palace street) is a small street in old town with a big name.
Palace street is famous because of the house which was the residence of Peter I the Great of Russia in the beginning of 18 century.
At that time, in 1710 Riga became city of newly raised Russian Empire and remained in it until it had fallen during 1st World War.

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District Heating Plant

District heating in Riga
Riga (and Latvia) has almost the highest percentage of houses supplied by district heating in European Union.
The chimney at the background is district heating plant of Kliversala neighborhood in Pardaugava.
Such plants produce warm water from natural gas. This water is being used not only to take shower, but to warm our houses as well, which is especially important during winters.

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Metodistu Baznīca

Methodist Church in Riga
Latvijas Apvienotā metodistu baznīca (Latvian United Methodist Church) is kind of branch of Church of England.
Methodism is not very popular in Latvia, less than 1000 of people practise this relatively new religion.
See also Latvian Good News Church.

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Excavations in Town

Excavations in Riga Old town
Archaeological excavations in one of the yards in Riga Old Town.

La autora de esta foto es Carolina.

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Real Men

People playing Ice hockey on river
There is an expression in Russian that Ice hockey is the game only for real men!
I guess this several guys which are always one the ice as soon as it is get frozen are the real men in some way :)
Sometimes they play Ice Hockey even in the night time.
Today is the Day of defenders of Motherland, which widely interpreted as the Day of Men.
So, my congratulations to all men of the world ;)
check another angle of this Ice hockey game.

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Embassy of United States

U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia
I guess that nobody in Riga think that residence of American Embassy on Raina boulevard is a nice building, which adorns city.
Despite its very center location (it is next nearest building to French Embassy) it looks like a fortified warehouse.
For openers the building has 24*7 strong security, 2 fences and the window guards.

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House of Wood

Wooden House in Pardaugava
A typical Riga building for the end of 19 century. There are still a lot of such two storey wooden houses in some Riga areas like Agenskalns, Ciekurkalns, Tornakalns and Zasulauks.
It is very rarely, when such houses are with all conveniences, so the pricing for flat rent in such house is quite low.
This one is located on Kapselu street, Agenskalns.

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George Armistead

George Armistead - Riga mayor
The name of this gentleman with the spouse is George Armistead, the most notable mayor of Riga through its all history.
During his rule 1901-1912 Riga has been changing a lot.
He is the person who wasn't afraid to change Riga look, destroy wooden houses and build new building in Art Nouveau style. He had built many schools, hospitals, central market, had setup a Riga Zoo.

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Kinomuzejs

Kinomuzejs Riga
Kinomuzejs (Museum of Cinema) is the only museum about art of film making in Latvia.
It was opened in warehouse on Peitavas iela in 1988. After it was moved several times and had no permanent exposition.
in 2006 it had finally settled down at the same place when it was opened very first time.
Guest photographer this time is Carolina.

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Elizabetes iela

Elizabetes iela
Elizabetes iela (Elizabeth Street) former Kirova iela (Sergey Kirov Street).
On the street are located many hotels and embassies, so it is one of the most prestigious streets to live in Riga.
Hotel Latvia is shining at the background.

Guest Photographer is Elizabete :)

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Latvian University

Latvijas Universitate
Latvijas Universitāte (University of Latvia) is the oldest and the largest University teaching in Latvian language.
LU was opened in 1919. The base for it was the Riga Polytechnic Institute.
Today it is the largest university in Baltic States giving lectures for almost 25 000 students from all around the world.

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Ambassade de France

French Embassy
Ambassade de France (Embassy of France) resides in one of the most beautiful buildings in Riga.
This house is a perfect architectural example of Art Nouveau or Jugendstil how it is called more often in Riga.
Actually in the beginning of the last century it was the residence of British Embassy.
Next nearest building is American Embassy, which could play a role of negative for French Embassy.

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Blue Bridge

Riga railway bridge
Railway Bridge over frozen Daugava river.
Skyscrapers buildings of Panorama Plaza at the background are disturbing Pardaugava's flat panorama.
By the way, this view was used in the movie Escape from City 17, the creation of movie was inspired by Half-Life game.
Guest Photographer: Vlad

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Ice Hearth

Ice Sculptures in Jelgava
As almost everywhere else in the world, Riga is also get colored in red at 14th of February each year.
Lovers and looking for love are celebrating Valentine's Day.
This picture has been taken in Jelgava city at the international Ice Sculpture contest.

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Hotel Elizabete

Reval Hotel Elizabete in Riga, Latvia
Reval Hotel Elizabete is one of the last opened hotels in Riga and obvious it is located on Elizabetes iela.
Remarkable exterior design made of glass and metal makes this hotel looking very modern.
In fact, the building was built from bottom up.
See also: Reval Hotel Latvia

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Huge Bollard

Giant bollard in Riga
Huge bollard or knight in former ship repairing yard located in Pardaugava on the beach of Agenskalna bay.
After 10-20 years the coast of this bay will be settled by the residents of new fancy cottages.

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Citadeles iela

Citadeles iela
Citadeles iela (Citadel Street) is the street built up around the moat of Riga Castle.

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From Dzegužkalns

view from Dzeuguzkalns hill
Winter panorama spreading from the highest natural point in Riga - Dzegužkalns hill.

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Ice Fishermen

Ice Fisherman on Daugava
Ice Fishermen on Agenskalns bay, just next to Azene outfall. It looks there is a big catch!

At the background are building of Da Vinci skyscraper and Swedbank building and Vansu bridge.

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Entrance to the Bank

Entrance to Latvian bank
Main entrance to Latvijas Banka (Latvian bank) decorated with two mythical animals.

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Stone Heads

Exposition of famous busts
Stone busts of famous Latvian people in front of exhibition hall Arsenal of Latvian National At Museum.
Here are busts of the most famous Latvian art workers like Krišjānis Barons and Raimonds Pauls

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De Rome

Hotel De Rome's another side
Hotel de Rome is one of the few 5 star hotels in Riga. De Rome is situated at the Old town main street Kalku iela.
This is quite new hotel, but it had adopted the name of the famous Hotel Roma, which were located in place of modern Hotel Riga.

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Castle Street Roofs

Roofs of Castle Street Riga
Roofs over Pils iela (Castle street) are typical for Old Town in Riga.
A lot of Riga's spikes can be seen, like John and Peters church, Dome, Science Academy and Catholic Church.
Picture is taken through window of National History Museum of Latvia.

See also another view of Pils iela.

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Sleeping in the Snow

Marco's tent in Latvian forest
Recently I've met one German guy, who is traveling around Eurasia on his 4-wheel bicycle.
Interesting that he is going to cover 40,000km in 2 years treadling days and nights, sleeping in the forest despite freezing weather.
His route is from Berlin to Hanoi making several circles around Europe. And now he is just left Latvia.
Riga Guest was Marco.

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Former Police Department

Zemgales priekspilsetas Policija
This red brick house is the former Police department of Zemgales borough.
This building was especially built for Police Service during Russian Empire times.
During Soviet epoch it was residence of Militsiya of Riga Leninsky District.
Dept moved to the new place more than 10 years ago and since then this nice building left abandoned.
UPDATE: In 2017 the building was destroyed.

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Extreme Fishing

Extreme Fishing in winter
Last days is so freezing cold in Riga that even Ice fishermen wear special plastic bag to keep warm air inside :)
Picture has been taken on Agenskalna licis, on the background are Trinity Church and some1 building.

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Winter road - Monthly Theme

Winter road
1st day of each month all City Daily Photo bloggers post monthly theme photo.
Today the topic is Paths and Passages. I have chosen the road in the snow, which is very common for Riga and surroundings during February.
Check the road to Gaizinkalns as well.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

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