Riga is extremely quite city in comparison with the noise made from vehicle traffic. In Latvia it is possible to use vehicle horn only in emergency situation, all other usage is illegal. Therefore such traffic sign is extremely rare in Latvia.
Riga used to have a fortification wall as almost any other European medieval city. This renovated fragment is located on Tornu iela. Check also other photos of Riga fortifications: oldest piece of the Riga wall, Swedish Gate, another gate, Pulverturm and the Wall street, where the wall used to stay.
An apartment building located on Miera iela 93 was finished in 2006. It was built according the best Riga traditions and as many other buildings in Central Riga it has a little tower on top.
Embassy of Moldova is located on Zigfrīda Annas Meierovica bulvāris 14. Moldova is one of the former Soviet Republics, which also gained independence together with Latvia in 1991, hence there were always warm relationship between our two countries. Nowadays Moldova experiences political, territorial instability and it maybe the reason why Moldova is the most poorest country in Europe.
Yachts becoming more and more popular among Rigans. Beside harbours like this one in Agenskalns neighbourhood, there are office buildings with mooring and clubs like First Club.
Palīdzības iela (Help street) has an interesting story behind its name origin. Most of the people would think that the steet history is somehow related to medicine or hospitality. But this is wrong. Initially the street was built only to connect three another big streets Valdemara, Miera and Brivibas, so it helps to connect streets, but not people :)
Not many people know that Alberta iela is not the only place with a lot of Art Nouveau buildings. Renovated house Ausekļa iela 4 is a good example of the same architecture style.
Car Parking in Old Town is quite expensive. First hour is 5Ls (~8 EUR), the every next hour 8Ls (~11 EUR) Is there anywhere in the world even more expensive parking? :)
Fiat 126p of Polish make is one of the tiniest cars you can find in Riga. It is smaller than world-famous Mini. The benefits of such car are that it takes just a half of parking place and it magnifies much more public attention than any other luxurious car, especially if you have Barbus writing on the back :)
Double Coffee is a Latvian version of Starbucks. Interesting that in every country (except China) where Double Coffee has own cafe shops, Starbucks does not. First ever Double Coffee was opened in 2002 at Stabu street, nowadays it has more than cafes 20 in Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine and China.
Town Sqaure aka Ratslaukums or Melngalvju laukums is one of the most famous tourist points around Riga. Square is located between 4 buildings - City Hall, Blackheads House, Kungu iela 1 (on the picture) and Occupation museum. In the middle there is the statue of Roland. Under the square is a huge exhibition space, which is called Riga Art Space.
Depo is the largest shopping center for construction, building, garden and other house stuff. It is country famous for low prices since its opening in 2004.
Riga World Trade Center's tasks are like in every Western oriented country. Perform international exhibitions, promote Latvia on international market for profitable trade. The building itself was built in 1974 and originally was an head office of Communist Party in Latvia. It was built from the best and the most expensive materials, hence it remains modern look uptillnow.
Valkas iela is technically located in Center area next to Washington Square and Triumphal Arch. Most of the people consider this quiet area to be Andrejsala or Petersala. In fact there is nothing special about this street except its name. Valkas street is named after city of Valka or Valga, which is split by two countries Latvia and Estonia.
Riga Diesel Engine Factory was founded in 1949 and located in the most industrial area called Sarkandaugava. The central office building was built in 1985 and represents another master piece of Soviet Architecture.
Raiņa kapi (Cemetery of Rainis) is part of Meža kapi (Forest Cemetery), which was opened in 1913. This gate was unveiled in 1929 after Rainis' death and funerals here.
Flea Market in Ciekurkalns area (technically in Teika) is not famous beyond its area at all, although here you can buy a lot of antique stuff and especially interesting books. Čiekurkalns market in general is also famous for its pet market, a unique place in Riga where you can trade domestic animals.
Dobroe Utro Katja (Good Morning Katja) is a very old graffiti in Maskachka neighborhood. It is written in Russian using Latin letters. Such way of writing Cyrillic letters is sometimes called Crazy Russian. Interesting is that in every country Cyrillic letters are mapped to different Latin letters or numbers, for example letter Ш could be written as sch, sh, s, 6 or w
Autohof (Car Yard) and other similar car lots are located in Rumbula area. Such parking places are used to trade with used cars, which are mostly imported from Germany.
Latvia has the hugest car market among all post-Soviet countries, and almost 20% of Western cars in Russia were imported through Latvia.
Rīgas Valsts 2. ģimnāzija (State Gymnasium No. 2 of Riga) is located on Krisjana Valdemara iela. The school resides in this eclectic building since it was built in 1879. School's alumni are many famous Latvians including first president of Latvia Janis Cakste.
Rīgas Sv. Trīsvienības evaņģēliski luteriskā baznīca (Riga Holy Trinity Evangelic Lutheran Church) is located in Sarkandaugava borough on the hill and surrounded by territories of the former cemetery. It was built in 1878 as separate church for Lutherans living in Sarkandaugava, because before all three major confessions in Riga (Lutheran, Orthodox and Catholic) were meeting in a small wooden church, which was unacceptable for the most of the people living at that time.
Esplanāde is one of the Central Parks in Riga, which is located between Brivibas, Elizabetes, Valdemara and Kalpaka street. This park is one of the oldest in Riga and has very rich history. Many monuments (Rainis, Kalpaks) and historical buildings like Orthodox Cathedral, Art Museum and Art Academy are located within park borders.
Jaunmārupe is a small place next to Riga. It was formed in 1970s as collective farm. Nowadays it is a satellite town of Riga, which basically has nothing to see, except this futuristic water tower. Check another water tower in Marupe, which also has a fabulous design.
Rīgas Valsts 1. ģimnāzija (State Gymnasium No. 1 of Riga) is the oldest school in Latvia and one of the oldest schools in the world, which is still operating. First record of existence is dated by 1211. During times the school was famous under many names, teaching in several languages and located in different places. Originally it was located next to Riga Dome and moved to current building in 1874. Nowadays it is the most prestigious educational institution among Latvian and Russian schools in Riga. Yesterday, on September 1, was the official opening of academic year aka The Knowledge Day and today is the first lessons day of new academic year.
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