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

Cesis Castle


Ruins of Castle in Cēsis city (80km (50mi) north-eastward from Riga) is one of the most interesting Latvia's sights.
Originally wooden castle was built in 1209, then several times rebuilt and expanded. Nowadays ruins is what is left since Swedish rule in 17 century. Since 1949 a park and The Cesis history museum are located here.

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Border Stone


There are several stones in Riga marking historical borders of town.
One of them located on Jurmalas Gatve few kilometers away from current city border.

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Photo Exhibition

Photo Exhibition
A photo exhibition of historical moments of Latvia is being located at Station Square these days.
All these photos of Modern Latvia were on first pages of newspapers and displayed the reality of those days.
Unfortunately, none of my Riga photos were picked up :)

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Kurzeme

Kurzeme
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.

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Bivouac

Bivouac
Bivouac (Bivak) is the name of the event devoted to historical reconstructed battles, which was being held in Daugavgriva fortress this weekend.
A lot of soldiers wearing historical uniform of Swedish, Russian, French, German and other armies of 18-20 centuries inspire the feeling of being moved back for many years by time machine.

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Tobago Casino

Tobago Casino
Tobago Casino is located in the basement of Hotel Riga, but it is closed since 2008 already.
The reason why I write about this forgotten place is its name Tobago, an island in Caribbeans.
Not many people know that predecessor of Latvia, The Duchy of Courland, was the owner of this colonial island in 17th century and settled it.
In other words, Latvia was one of the first colonizers of Americas.

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Flags

Flags of Latvia
20 Years ago Latvia, on 4 May of 1990, Latvia proclaimed the independence from Soviet Union.
Latvian republic regain its sovereignty, Latvian flags were hung out everywhere in the country.
The legend of the flag is that wounded soldier was wrapped in a white sheet. After he died and the body was removed, the sheet was saturated by blood, and the clean white strip was in the middle.

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Center Police

Police office in Central area
Riga 1st Police Department of Central area is sharing the same building with Fire Department.
First department is one of the oldest in Riga. The building itself was built in 1886 on Matisa street.
History of Riga police dates from the beginning of 1880s, when policemen started to patrol busy streets and places like markets, stations, hotels.
Initially policemen were only Germans, who very rarely could speak Latvian or Russian, therefore their efficiency was extremely low. After some years Riga council began to draft into police the retired soldiers, who were able to speak language of the common people.
Nowadays there are 15 Police departments in Riga.

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Doorways - Monthly theme

Doors
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

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Runestone

Latvian Runestone
Apsīšu rūnakmens (Apsites rune stone) located just several kilometers from Rūjiena town.
It is one of the oldest memorials in Latvia and dated circa 9th century AD.
Runestone is left by Scandinavian vikings visiting these lands for trading with Latvian ancestors.

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Escutcheon

Riga coat of arms
In heraldry an escutcheon or scutcheon is the shield displayed in a coat of arms.
Riga escutcheon has several elements, each of them symbolize different meaning
Two towers - symbol of city rights
Gate with golden lion head looking at you - strength and safety
Two crossed black keys - the patronage of the pope
Golden noble crown - feudal authority
Golden cross - Christianity
All symbols placed are on silver shield, which stands for peace and sincerity

This apartment building located on Kalnciema iela in Agenskalns area.
See also other Latvian town's coat of arms.

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Town Wall

Riga wall reimans
Riga had town wall almost since it was founded. Nowadays only two pieces of that wall are still remained.
One of them is located between Marstalu and Minsterejas streets, just next to November 11 embankment.
The building of town wall was the business of every Riga citizen. Each person living in medieval Riga had to help built the wall. It was like a hut tax.

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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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Viesnīca Rīga

Viesnica Riga
The main entrance to Viesnīca Rīga (Hotel Riga), the symbolic hotel of early Soviet period in Latvia.
The hotel was built in 1956 in the place of former Hotel Roma, which was destroyed during Second World War during air strike.
By a legend it was Soviet pilot, who was given an order to bomb Library monument, but as soon he saw the Milda statue, he decided to drop the bomb on the building standing next by.

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Nazi Swastika

Nazi Swastika Nowadays
Swastika is flying over Riga buildings because Latvian Legioners got approval for their new event. A joke! :)
Miss Irena's Children movie is being filmed in Riga this days. This movie tells the story about Polish jews during Second World War, and will be released in 2009.

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Latvija 90!

Latvian Fireworks
Today is a big date in Latvia. 90 years since our country became independent from Russia and Germany.
At that time, in 1918 there was no such word Latvia at all. The country was formed from the lands belonging to two big neighbours, but the people was speaking in one Latvian language.
During that time Russia wanted to recover their authority on their former land.
And Germany wanted to create The United Baltic Duchy from territories where Latvia and Estonia are now. This Baltic Duchy would be under the German rule.
All their plans fell to the ground, because of people like Karlis Ulmanis, which made dreams about the country for Latvian people came true.

See last year fireworks on November 18.

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Ever Memorable Children


This sad monument located in Mežaparks area reminds people of brutal regime.
Writing on granite stone means
Deportētajiem, ceļā un svešumā
mirušajiem Latvijas bērniem

To deported children of Latvia died on the road
and in strange lands

During years 1941-1949 about 35 thousands of people were deported from Latvia as part of the procedure for carrying out of Anti-Soviet Elements.

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Lucavsala Monument


The Lucavasala Monument to 400 russian soldiers fallen down here in July 10, 1701 during the Great Northern War.
The Russian forces tried to cover the retreat of Russian-Saxon army, but the whole battalion was destroyed by Swedes.
The writing is in pre-reform russian langues is
Памяти
400 русских войновъ
геройски павшихъ
при защитѣ острова
"10 іюля 1701 года"


Prominent spike is the top of Riga Tower.

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Brīvdabas muzejs


Latvijas Etnogrāfiskais brīvdabas muzejs (Latvian Ethnographic Open Air Museum) is one of the largest and the most interesting museums in Riga.
The huge collection of all ethnic group households living in Latvia territory for the past thousands years.
The territory of museum is almost one square kilometer, so it will take a while to see all exhibits.

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Trokšņu iela


Trokšņu iela (Noisy Street) is very narrow street in Old Town, basically it is one of Riga historical sights.
This area has rich history, it was formed next to city wall in the 13Th century. It is Noisy because of a lot of trade shops was here.
In the 19Th century Trokšņu iela became the haunt of prostitutes who rented the one-roomed apartments in houses along the street. At that time you only needed to clap your hands and women's heads would appear from the upper windows beckoning you to enter.
Nowadays Noisy street looks more as Calm street, because of its small size and quiet location next to Latvian Parliament.
Swedish Gate located on Troksnu iela.

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