Bilingual writing Фабрика велосипедовѣ А. Лейтнерѣ (Old Russian orthography) Velociped-Fabrik A. Leutner (German) is a good monument to the first Bicycle Factory in Russian Empire, which was founded in 1886.

Labels: bicycles, buildings, center, first, german, industrial, monuments, russian, streets, writings

It is hard to believe that this red-brick cube-shape accessory building located in one of the city's yards is Riga Mosque, therefore I have attached a writing in Arabic ligature.
It was difficult for me to find it, because mosque is hidden from the public eye and there is no any sign or mark of this place of worship.
It would be nice to hear again the muezzin calling the faithful to prayer and remember my incredible trip to Istanbul.

Labels: animals, arabic, birds, buildings, center, religious, writings, yards

Malibu is one of the oldest places in Old Town, which is still open under its original initial name.
I remember, about 7-8 years ago Malibu had reputation of a nice place and I was proud of my friend who used to work as a cook there.
Nowadays it is a dive focusing on unconcerned tourists walking around on Kalku iela.
Stinking room, uncomfortable chairs, overpriced menu, dirty dishes, bad design, worse food.
I guess some local people go there, just because Malibu is one of the few places where it is allowed to smoke.

Labels: american, bars, cities, food, night, restaurants, vecriga

Today is Friday, so why not just take a seat on freedom street right in front of hotel Latvia and have some smoke and drink with old buddy?
Sometimes when I see such "free from everything" people, I get really curious - what do they have in their minds?

Labels: alternative, bums, candid, center, funny, night, poverty

Rīgas apgabaltiesa (Riga Regional Court) is the master piece of Latvian architecture located on Brivibas iela.
This building was built by first Latvian architecture Janis Fridrihs Baumanis in 1889. In fact Baumanis was the first Latvian man ever who got higher education.
Interesting fact is that this building was initially designed in shape of Russian Emperor's Crown.

Labels: baroque, buildings, center, first, government, law

Full car wash in Riga usually costs around 15 ls (20 EUR).
When it is said full, it means exterior and interior cleaning. Usually after washing, car looks for a couple of thousands more expensive :)

Labels: cars, industrial, interior, prices

This advertisement space on Aristida Briana iela is left unattended for about 20 years and this days' grey weather reproduces sunburned colors even better.
I guess it was some kind of Soviet social advertisement and when Latvia became independent, Russian letters were simply painted over.
Does anybody have an idea what message could be written there? :)

Labels: ads, buildings, cars, center, soviet, traffic, yards

There are a lot of old warehouses around Central Market.
Some of them were rebuilt and still are being in use, some of them became night clubs or even art galleries.
But some structures were never renovated and nowadays look like ruins of Ancient Rome.

Labels: abandoned, buildings, cars, doorways, markets, maskachka, ruins, sunset

Septītās dienas Adventistu Baznīca (Seventh-day Adventist Church) is another relatively new religion represented in Latvia.
Around 50 churches and 4000 church members make Adventists' religion the 7th largest in country.

Roman Catholic Church (500,000 members)
Lutheran Church (400,000 members, including Anglican Church members)
Orthodox Church (300,000)
Old Believer Orthodox (70,000)
Jews (6,000)
Baptists (6,000)
Seventh-day Adventists (4,000, including Good News Unlimited)
Jehovah's Witnesses (2,000)
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aka Mormons (2,000)
Methodists (500)
Hare Krishnas (500)
Muslims (300)
Buddhists (100)

Labels: alternative, buildings, cars, center, churches, lists, religious, yards

Forum Cinemas as known as Parex Plaza and formerly was known as Coca-Coca Plaza is one of two mainstream Riga cinemas, in other words which shows the same movies as everywhere else in the world.
The most interesting thing about Latvian cinemas is that movies are usually subtitled in two languages (Latvian and Russian) at the same time. Only animated cartoons for children are being dubbed.
See another picture of the main Riga Cinema.

Labels: buildings, cinemas, lights, movies, night, nightlife

Preses Nams (Press House) and Swedbank building are shining during recent Riga light festival.
Finally former House of Press got some use :)

Labels: buildings, events, kipsala, lights, night, skyscrapers, staro

Traditional Lāpu gājiens (Torchlight Procession) took place yesterday late evening in Riga and was devoted to the 91st anniversary of independence of Latvia.
Usually it begins next to Karlis Ulmanis, then heads to Occupation museum and ends at Freedom monument.
Hundreds of patriots carrying a torch are led by Latvian nationalists' party.

Labels: events, fire, independence, lights, people, red, traditions

Military parade of Latvian Army at Riga embankment in honor of 91st Independence Day.
It seems that recently Latvia has visibly improved its armed forces with new equipment. I wonder why...
Also I always wonder why forested country has army wearing desert camouflage uniform :)

Labels: cars, events, government, helicopters, holidays, independence, jobs, military, people, streets, transport

Gaismas Virsotnes (Summits of light) is the codename of Skanstes Virsotnes during Staro Riga festival.

Labels: events, lights, night, skanste, skyscrapers, staro

An ancient map is being projected on the building of Italian Embassy in Old Town.
This installation is a part of Staro Riga Light festival in Riga.

Labels: cars, embassies, events, italian, lights, maps, night, staro, vecriga

A famous heavy metal star Marilyn Manson has finally performed in Riga. On Sunday - such a blasphemer.
Although rumors that he got a swine flu, Marilyn was looking fine with his new album The High End of Low.

Labels: american, arena, entertainment, music, persons

Staro Rīga (Riga shines) is a city wide light festival in Riga started today, on 14th November.
More than fifty objects are shining and making Riga lighter during these long and dark evenings.
I am going to publish more photos next days of this splendid event, but for now you are welcomed to check previous festival's photos of Strūklaka, Bibliotēka, Vecrīga, Akmens tilts, Radisson, Cable Bridge.

Labels: ads, culture, entertainment, events, lights, night, people, riga, staro

Jaunais Rīgas Teātris (New Riga theater) is the most newest theater in Riga, opened just in 1992.
It is located in a seemingly regular building on Lacplesa iela, in fact this building was used as a residence of many theaters since far year 1902.
P.S. On the side wall is the portrait of famous Latvian theatre director Eduards Smiļģis.

Labels: ads, art, buildings, culture, streets, theaters, writings

Skonto stadions is the main football stadium in Riga, which was built in 2000.
Due big capacity, the stadium is being as performance venue for many international artists Metallica, Prodigy etc.

Labels: green, halls, lights, night, skonto, sports, stadiums

Today on 11th of November is Lāčplēša diena.
Many people on this day come to Castle walls to put a candle in order to honour heroes of war for Liberation of Latvia from German army in 1919.

P.S. Unfortunately I haven't such a good camera, so the picture was taken from some news website :)

Labels: castles, events, fire, holidays, independence, lights, people, traditions, walls

Behind these golden trees is Mārtiņa Nams (Martin's Building). It is another failed real estate project in Riga.
Failed because of crisis, bad promoting, worse location. Picture is taken in one of the most backward areas.
P.S. this is the last picture of Gold Autumn this year. Riga is turning to gray for 6 months...

Labels: autumn, buildings, dzirciems, ilguciems, projects, trees

This Ieroču veikals (Gun Shop) and shooting range are located in a former bomb shelter next to First Hospital.
Latvia is not gun-friendly country like United States, therefore there are only few gun shops in Riga.
In fact, by Law of Latvia it is not allowed to use a gun even when being attacked.

Labels: autumn, buildings, center, military, people, shopping

Rīgas torņu skaitītājs (Riga's Towers Counter) is relatively new bronze monument next to Swedbank building.
The bronze man is sitting on the grass and counts innumerable Riga towers.
This sculpture is made as a gift to Riga by donations of Swedbank clients; sculpted by Olga; Shilova; photographed by Mike.

Labels: art, autumn, kipsala, monuments, statues, towers

Disko 21 is certainly a night club on Raina boulevard in the very center of Riga.
It is not a posh place like Studio 69 or recently opened blazing Push, Disko 21 is more for people around 30 or older, who knows what the scene is.
BTW, I guess this is the only night club in Riga where you can sing Karaoke :)

Labels: center, clubs, night, nightlife, writings

Steiku Haoss (literally Steak Chaos) is one of the best places in Riga if you are looking for tasty juicy steak.
Pros: Rich menu, good service
Cons: Relatively high prices even for Old Town
This Wild Wild West restaurant is located on Livu square.

Labels: american, buildings, food, restaurants, snow, vecriga, winter

This year's first snow was on 17th October, unfortunately I couldn't make any good picture that day.
Low clouds turned Riga into gray today. During such weather Riga looks so pessimistic, I could say even Soviet :)
Улица Кирова (Kirov street, nowadays Elizabetes street) together with blurred Academy of Science at the background tone up this feeling.

Labels: buildings, center, first, roofs, snow, soviet, starred, streets, weather, winter

Finally, after two years of blogging I have changed overloaded standard blogger design for riga.in
I like black color. Black is good, but in the age of Web 2.0 smart websites are usually white :)
Screenshot of old design is posted in order to always remember how Riga Daily Photo was with Black Design.

P.S. I rearranged many things, but some layout bugs could still exist. Please feel free to point out anything that looks strange. Thank you.

Labels: black, blog, design

EF Dambis (EF Bank) is a made-up name for overgrown strip in Daugava by analogy with AB Dambis. This is the third bank on Daugava river towards the sea.
Raft cafe is part of Fabrikas Restorans, the fancy restaurant in Kipsala.

Labels: boats, buildings, cafes, daugava, harbours, kipsala, night, restaurants, sunset

Today is a birthday of riga.in :) 2 years have passed since Riga Daily Photo was started. Wow, we are taking the sea! :)
A lot of work has been done - about 750 photos were published, first appearance in press, transfer to new domain.
And there are still many ideas and things to do in order to improve riga.in and get this photoblog to even higher level.
For example, I will tell you a little secret, in a few days riga.in will have a brand new stylish smart design :)

Of course all of this take tons of resources. In fact riga.in is not created to make any money hence it is nonprofit project, but on this very special day if you want to help to riga.in, then you are very welcome to make a small gift :)

Prieka and Будем! (Cheers!)

Labels: birthdays, blog, boats, daugavgriva, nature, people, sea, ships, towers, transport, water

This metal doors of the former NKVD building (later KGB) is untypical monument, which will always remind to people how many victims were tortured and killed because of wrong political views during the early Soviet times aka Stalin's era.
Today is the Monthly theme, which is Doorways. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Labels: buildings, center, criminal, doorways, government, history, monuments, police, politics, soviet, windows