Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka (National Library of Latvia) was founded in 1919. It was opened in the former bank's building at Krisjana Barona and Elizabetes crossroads, which was built in 1910 Nowadays the premises and not enough and the library will be moved to the new building in Autumn of 2012. Check here for the latest photos of construction works and live webcam.
Le Paon Bleu (Indian Peafowl) is the name of recently opened bohemian French restaurant in Old Town. I don't know what new restaurant owners have in mind, but the closed down restaurant Hospitalis, which was located here, went bankruptcy several months ago. Despite being very well promoted Hospitalis couldn't compete with cheaper restaurants and cafes in Old Town. Have you ever tried frogs legs? How does it taste like? :)
Drinking at friday evening must start at work.. oops.. I mean in the bar :)
One of the best bar in old town for shot drinking is Shot Cafe. Here in menu you can find any shot you know :)
Although I must admit that this Shot bar is not the cheapest in town.
Metropolia is a complex of 5 elite apartment building located in Imanta 3 across Solaris complex. It was finished in 2007, just before crisis started and hence could be considered as successful :)
Dole was built in 1987 and it is the last shopping center built in Soviet times in Riga. This Kengarags' sight was the hugest shopping complex in Latvia until Alfa Shopping mall get opened in 2001. It is named in honour of the small village Dole, which was completely flooded during building of Riga hydroplant.
Siemens office and the brick water tower next to one of the parking lots in Riga Airport. The biggest invention of Siemens was the telegraph and in the mid of 19th century Werner von Siemens got an order from Petersburg to commute cities around Russian Empire. It was the first international order of Siemens.
Riga was one of the first cities which got direct telegraph line with Saint Petersburg thankfully to Siemens.
iki is another cheap Lithuanian retail shop, like Maxima. The legend says that iki in Lithuanian means bye :) This shop is located next to tramway 4 terminal station, a very strategic point of Imanta neighbourhood, hence it has changed many owners and names during past 20 years. For example the area around shop is still nicknamed after former shop name Nelda.
Rīgas svētki (Riga Festival) is always being held in the end of August each year. Tens of locations, hundreds of events and thousands of people are taking part in this huge celebration of Riga birthday. In order to continue my own tradition, here below are some figures to describe Riga's growth. During the last year Riga population went down from 713,016 to 709,145 people (-3,871); simple calculation proves that after 3 years Riga will have less than 700,000 residents :( Riga district population (including cities inside) has decreased from 942,002 to 937,864 (-4,138) And the picture of Latvia population is even worse. The huge drop is -43,325 or -1,92% of people (from 2,261,294 to 2,217,969)
Night Marathon is one of the most remarkable events during Riga Festival, which is taking place this weekend. The distance is only 5km (3.1 miles) and the track route was made through many sights in Riga, which were illuminated and blazing at night. The photo was taken by F64 Agency few seconds before marathon start.
A couple months ago, when I discovered that Stone Bridge has lost its massive chandeliers, I thought that Riga mayor will replace them to some more modern lamps. Although chandeliers were just polished before City Festival, which will be held upcoming weekend.
Jānis Pliekšāns aka Rainis used to be a big figure in Latvian literature and national movement. In fact Rainis is the only ethnic Latvian who was candidate for Nobel Prize, although unavailing. His wife, Aspasia was also prominent public figure; and both of them were several times in exile because of political views against the regime of Imperial Russia.
Living statues is something that I have never seen in Riga before. In fact, I'm sure that this piece of gold is foreigner, coz he had chosen really not the best place for performance. Photo has been taken in street cafe which is in place of former RTU building.
Another monument devoted to the revolution of 1905 is located in one of Riga suburbs, Ulbroka town. It is the main sight of the small town, which is located on the fork of two roads Riga-Ogre and Riga-Ergli.
Another interesting name belongs to a nightclub located in Old Town on Aspazijas blvd next to Riga Gallery. Although Opium Dance Club is much more popular and reputable than Capsule After Party Club. Opium is a regular night club for both locals and tourists where regular visitors are between 18 and 22 years old. 2 stages with regular R&B and Dance music. Regular prices and no entry fee.
Club First Dacha or simply First Club is one of the most prestigious nightlife places in Riga. It is located in Andrejsala harbour, which is quite remote area from all other party places in Riga, hence here are no random visitors, if you don't have a yacht, of course :) I couldn't take a good picture during the night, therefore here is the morning after dark.
Jugla railway station was built in 1900 on Riga-Valga railway line. Initially the station's name was Jegel, which in Livonian language means river. The post with number 7, means that it is 9,700 meters (6 miles) from Riga central station.
Krišjāņa Valdemāra iela (Christian Waldemar street) is one of the most important and fastest streets in Riga. Before Russian Revolution it was called Николаевская улица (Nicholas Street), during Soviet time it was улица Горького (Maxim Gorky street). Nowadays it is named after Krišjānis Valdemārs, the the spiritual leader of the first Latvian National revival. It starts in Pardaugava next to Slokas iela as continuation of Kalnciema iela, runs through the whole center and ends in Skanste area.
Spilve Field is being used not only as airfield, but also for agricultural production. I am not sure how these haystacks are going to be used, because there is almost no farmers in Latvia.
Tirdzniecības centrs Sahara (Sahara Shopping Centre) is not named after the biggest desert in Africa. It is named after Soviet human rights activist and Nobel prize laureate Andrei Sakharov. The shopping center was built in 2004 on the cross of Andreja Saharova iela and Lubanas iela.
Rigans spend most of the summer weekends at the Baltic sea. There is even an expression, that for people who live too long in Riga the phrase "Go to sea" means driving only 20 minutes by car.
Ленинград (Leningrad) is one of the most controversial places in town. It has Soviet name, but popular only among Latvians, who mostly hate everything what is related to Communism and the its age itself. All this affects very alternative atmosphere inside. The inside design is worth of separate photo. The writing Ленинград in Russian over the windows is almost invisible, because it is forbidden to name places in Russian Language in Latvia. And it is the only case I met Russian name of place in Riga.
Question to Western visitors, do you know what is the name of Leningrad city since 1991? :)
Kurzeme (Courland) is one of the three historical regions of Latvia. It is the richest and the most western region. In the Golden age of Kurzeme, it was an autonomous duchy under Polish rule with own colonies in Western Africa and Caribbean Sea, for example Tobago used to belong to Kurzeme.
New Highway is being built between Ciekurkalns and Sarkandaugava. It will be part of the future Riga Inner Ring road and together with North tunnel it will connect Riga West and East side under Daugava river. Good example of Riga development.
Agroapgāde (Agro supplies) is a company which provides agricultural resources, materials and maintenance. The building itself was built during latest years of Soviet epoch and is a good example of Soviet architecture. By the way, this complex building, located at 451 Maskavas street, is also one of the cheapest hotels within Riga borders. The price for staying varies between 2 EUR and 10 EUR per night.
Bright Colours is the topic of regular Monthly theme and I was too late to take a good photo on time :) For a couple of days I couldn't find in Riga anything brighter than Piena Svetki (Milk Fest), which was held on 1st of August in area next to Piens club. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.
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