A lovely writing can be found on pedestrian pass over Brivibas gatve, which says Костя + Лена = ♥ (in Russian Kostya + Lena)
Check also lovely messages on dambis and writing on the roof. I really enjoy such romantic things :)

Labels: bridges, brivibas, cars, love, roads, russian, streets, writings

The building at 47 Brivibas st. is a remarkable example of Romantic Nationalism architecture style in Riga. It also could be named a German version of Art Nouveau or even simpler Jugendstil.
It was built in 1909 and belonged to A. Krustkalns, who was the first Riga mayor of Latvian origin since 1917.
Nowadays, many shops and companies have their headquarters in this building, one of them is Baltic Expert, a real estate company.

Labels: brivibas, buildings, companies, jugendstil, streets

Katedrale Church is being renovated again :)

Labels: brivibas, churches, morning, spring, streets

Another aerial photo, which was taken from a plane after my short visit in Riga.
Eastern part of Riga, including part of Center, Teika, Jugla and Brivibas in the middle are visible on this shot.

Labels: aerial, brivibas, center, jugla, snow, streets, teika, winter

Riga is getting prepared to New Year parties around the town. The mass celebration will be held in Old Town.
By the way, Riga Ferris wheel will work tonight all night long!
I wish you all the positive and successful New Year 2011!

Labels: brivibas, children, devices, entertainment, holidays, night, people, windows

Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope you have found a nice gift under your Christmas Tree :)

Labels: brivibas, cars, catholic, christmas, holidays, lutheran, night, snow, streets, traditions, trees, winter

Visibility of less than 100 metres is usually reported as zero visibility.
Tonight heavy blizzard hit Riga and almost paralyzed the city.

Labels: brivibas, cars, snow, streets, weather, winter

Nowadays, the territory of the former electronics factory VEF is a home for many IT companies in Riga.
Accenture, Nano Hosting, Idea Port Riga, Datartis, Interneta Pasaule and many other companies offices are located in these buildings.
Therefore we can call this area as a Silicon Yard, as analogy to Silicon Valley in California :)

Labels: brivibas, buildings, cars, companies, offices, vef, winter, yards

Elkor Plaza is a shopping mall located in Teika neighborhood, just next to another mall Podium.
It was opened in 2006 and became one of the biggest furniture, electronics and home accessories store in Riga.

Labels: brivibas, buildings, cars, shopping, teika

AmPir (Empire style) is the name of the recently opened place on Kalku iela 22.
One year before an infamous and expensive Restaurant Nostalgija was located here.
Unfortunately I can't tell more about this place for now. Maybe some of the visitors can? Thanks.

Labels: bars, brivibas, night, nightlife, restaurants, snow, writings

Yesterday, on Saturday morning I was a witness to unknown procession in Old Town on Kalku iela.
People were carrying flag of Latvia and another one similar to Italy or Hungary, but flag holders were not looking like Italians nor Hungarians :)
Does anybody know what kind of parade it was?

Labels: brivibas, events, flags, people, vecriga

Observation Wheel is being assembled now in the middle of Old Town, on Livu square.
Can't wait to take my first ride.. :)

Labels: brivibas, lights, night, snow, vecriga, winter

Staro in Latvian means Shine. Staro Riga is the name of annual light festival which was held 18-22 November.
This photo of Alexander Bridge was taken by Delfi's photographer.

Labels: blue, bridges, brivibas, canal, events, lights, night, rivers, staro, vecriga

Ziemeļu Vārti (North Gate) is another office building, which adorns Riga since 2006.
It is located on the fork of two streets, Brivibas iela and Cesu iela, and technically belongs to Brasa area.
I have absolutely no idea why it's named Northern Gate. Eastern Gate (location-wise) would suit much better.

Labels: autumn, brasa, brivibas, buildings, cars, center, modernism, offices, streets

Rīgas Centrāla bibliotēka (Riga Central Library) was the first public library in Riga, and get opened in 1905.
Today it is one of few municipal libraries which are still left within Riga borders. Library resides in Soviet-type building at Brivibas iela 49/53, which is historically called Rigas Modes (Riga Fashion)
The building itself was the first structure in Latvia, which had a panoramic elevator. Check the Hoods.

Labels: brivibas, buildings, center, fashion, first, libraries, soviet

Two perfectly straight lines going down beyond the horizon are Brivibas gatve aka road to Saint Petersburg and the railway of the same direction.
Photo has been taken during Air Tour with Jonathan and James.

Labels: aerial, brivibas, jugla, lakes, panoramas, railway, rivers, roads, starred, streets

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 :)

Labels: brivibas, cars, polish, streets

Brīvības bulvāris (Freedom boulevard) is part of the most important and busiest street in Riga - Brivibas.

All parts of Brivibas iela, from the center outwards city: Kalku iela, Brivibas iela, Brivibas bulvaris, Brivibas gatve.

Labels: brivibas, buildings, center, churches, morning, panoramas, parks, starred, streets, summer, trees

This morning I was quite surprised to see so many people next to Nightclub Godvil.
In fact it was one of the final rehearsals before New Wave song contest.

Labels: brivibas, clubs, girls, nightlife, people, show, teika, vef

Milda is the statue's name on the top of Brīvības piemineklis (Liberty Monument), which is erected on Brivibas bulvaris, in the very center of Riga.
The woman is holding three stars symbolizing freedom and three historical regions of Latvia - Kurzeme (including Zemgale), Latgale and Vidzeme.
Writing Tēvzemei un Brīvībai means For the Fatherland and the Freedom.
The monument is 42 meters high and was built in 1935 in the place of monument to Peter I the Great.
This photo is devoted to the Monthly Theme day, which is Statues. On photo there are two statues more at the bottom of monument. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.
BTW, today is International Labour Day and hence official holiday.

Labels: brivibas, center, holidays, independence, military, monuments, people, sights, statues, themes, writings