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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Holy Trinity Church


Св. Троицкий Задвинский приход aka Рижская православная церковь Св. Троицы (Riga Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, in Latvian Rīgas Sv. Trijādības pareizticīgo baznīca) is the only Orthodox Church in Pardaugava. It has not only colourful design, but very long and interesting history.
The Church in that area was hundreds years before Riga was founded by Roman Catholic Bishop Albert.
At that time this area was an island with still bays and it was important point on the Trade route from the Varangians to the Greeks. Travelling traders, loggers, craftsman lived here, and many of them were members of the Orthodox Church.
During ages the Church was rebuilt, moved and renamed several times.
Last time it was built anew in 1895 in Moscow Orthodox architecture style.

See Also Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral.

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Rīga Central Airport


Spilves lidosta (Spilve Airport) also given as Rīga Central Airport compare to Riga West Airport.
Spilve airfield start to be used during First World War. And after 15 years, in 1930s Spilve became as Riga International Airport, serving direct flights to Tallinn, Vilnius and Kaunas, which connected Riga to big cities as Helsinki, Berlin, Moscow and Warsaw. Flights were operated by Nazi Lufthansa and Soviet Aeroflot.
After Second World War airport has been rebuilt and became the hub of Aeroflot.
Since late 1980s Spilve Airprot serving training flights and small private airplanes due it closeness to Riga Center, which is just 5km. (Basically between Ilguciems and Bolderaja)
Airport building reminds imposing soviet epoch, and is worth to be seen.
See also photo of Airport Terminal made from another side.

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Uzvaras Piemineklis


Uzvaras Piemineklis (Victory Monument) is a large military monument in Pardaugava Victory Park.
The monument was erected in the spring of 1985 to commemorate the victory over the fascism during the 2nd World War.
The central Obelisk symbolizing salute volley, statue on the left is the statue of the Mother Motherland, and on the right are soldiers representing different types of forces.

Victory Monument is always in the middle of enmity between Russian and Latvian communities.
Obelisk was blown up several times during the last 15 years.
Latvian patriots say that monument is symbolizing Soviet Occupation, but not the Victory.

See also photos of events happening annualy here:
2008 - Victory day ladies
2009 - Victory day flowers

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Rīgas kanāls


Rīgas kanāls (Riga Canal) is a small canal in the center of city, dividing Old Town and Riga Center. Canal runs from Daugava river, passes through Central Market, Central Station, Radio Street, National Opera, Freedom Monument, Bastion Hill, National Theater and Riga Port Area before flows into Daugava back.
It is historical center of Riga. Before being canalised it was a small river called Ridzene, which gave the name for Riga city.

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Latvian Legion Day


16 March is a kind of Patriots' Day in Latvia.
This Day few Nazi veterans, who still alive, lay wreaths on Freedom Monument in Riga.
It is not an official holiday anymore (it was till 2000).
Worldwide Nazism is convicted, but not in Latvia. 16 March is used by the Right political parties as Hate Speech Day between Latvian and Russian communities in Latvia.
This is a big waste of time and money. Just imagine how much cost to protect those 50 old dudes from furious contraries.
Everybody should understand that there is nothing about the freedom.

Please, see Latvian Legion Day in 2009 photos as well.

Guest Photographer: Dezidor

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Barikādes


Please don't be afraid, Latvia is not preparing to new war :)
This barricades was set up in front of Latvian Academy of Art as part of exposition to remember events was held during early 1991.
In 1991 Latvia achieved independence from USSR. Some fights occurred in Center of Riga, and some barricades were placed in the city.
Latvian government spend a lot of money every year on such things.
Why this year? 17 years isn't so big anniversary. What they want to prove or to show?

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Brīvības street

Brīvības iela
Brīvības iela means Street of Freedom in Latvian language.
It is the main drag in Riga. Dividing East part of Riga into two parts.
Brīvības iela is so long, that different parts of it named as boulevard, street or highway.
The name of it has been changed several times regarding to political regime in Riga.
In the early beginning it was Petersburg road (18th century)
It was Александровскiй бульваръ or Alexanderboulevard (Alexander Blvd), when Riga was in Russian empire.
Then Brīvības iela during First Latvian Republic times (Freedom monument was built).
After that Adolf-Hitler-Straße (Adolf Hitler st.) during German Nazi occupation.
Then Улица Ленина (Lenin st.) during Soviet period.
And now it's again Brīvības iela, after Latvia gained Independence in 1991.
What could be next? Bush Street, or maybe Ulitsa Putina? :)

Brīvības can be read as Brivibas.

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St. Peter's Church


Rīgas Sv. Pētera baznīca (Riga St. Peter's Church) is the main Riga sight during ages since 15th century.
Few times it was the tallest building in Europe by various categories.
It was completely destroyed in 18th century by fire and 20th century during Second World War.
Frontal Attires is quite nice as well :)
View taken from Grēcinieku iela (street)

See St. Peter's Church in much better quality as well :)

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Pessimistic Box


This building in the middle of Historical center of Riga irritate many people in Riga.
This black box is the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia.
Instead of removing it, government decide to expand it in the immediate future.

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First Christmas Tree


Where was placed the first decorated Christmas Tree? :)
This is a very controversial point, but the first documented reference appeared in Riga in 1510.
To memorize this occasion in front of Blackheads' House 3 years ago was placed a plaque with writings in 8 languages.
Nowadays every year, just few meters from this monument, new Christmas tree is placed.
Again, Merry Christmas :D
UPDATED: Revealed that Christmas tree is older than 500 years.

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Iron Birdge Ruins


This old pier located in Daugava river in Riga.
It is ruins of Iron Bridge blown up by Nazi army during Second World War.
When Nazi army surrendered Riga in 1944, they tried to demolish all stragetic objects in Riga, including all bridges, stations, warehouses, etc.

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Ancient Cemetry


This is Mārtiņa kapi (Cemetery of Martin) in Riga.
Most of tombs here were buried more than one hundred years ago. Some of them even 250 years ago.
Interesting that writings on tombstones are in German, English, Russian, Hebrew and Latvian language. It shows that Riga was very multicultural city all its history.
See also Lutheran Church, which is just next to this cemetery.

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Torņakalns Station


Torņakalns (Tower Hill) neighborhood located in West Part of Riga called Pardaugava.
There are few noteworthy objects in this area, and one of them is the railway station which is infamous for its purpose during the Second World War.
It was the biggest departure point for people who were deported to Siberia.

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Lāčplēša diena


Yesterday was Lāčplēša diena (day of Lacplesis - Latvian National epic hero), that day in 1919 Riga was liberated from German army. Excelled participants of this battles were awarded with order of Lāčplēsis.
Since them every year people gather around President's Castle to place a candle as a keepsake for those people who died for Riga liberation.

See also 2008 Military Parade in Riga

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About

Originally this blog was started by Dace, the designer from Riga in October 2006.
Blog have been working just for 4 days. And then, because of lack of time, blog has been stopped to be updated everyday.

In November 2007 blog continued to be updated by Artem. His first photo was Dear Passengers :)

In February 2008 blog reached first 100 photos with Church's New Haircut Photo :)

In the end of April 2008 blog reached first 200 posts with photo of Zolitude Station People.
Posts are not always photos, but webcams and special pages as well.

The 10,000th unique visitor visited blog in Mai 2008

50,000 page views registered in July 2008

In October 2008 a new domain riga.in was bought for blog. (rigadailyphoto.blogspot.com is not used anymore)

On 14 March, 2009 the 500th post was made.

In the end of March, 2009 more than 100,000 page views was reached.

First appearance in offline media was in August 2009.

In September, 2009 more than 100,000 unique visitors was reached.

2 years of blogging was celebrated with new Design presented in November 2009

In January 2010 it was expected to have more than 10,000 fans at Riga fan page by June, but exceeded in March.



In April 2010 horizons are broaden by the opening of Twitter channel Riga Photos. At the same time less important photos are published at Twitpic album Riga Photos.

July 2010 - was the month when the 1000th photo was published.

September 2010 - Collected money from visitor's donations turned into new Canon Camera.

October 2010 - First interview by online magazine.

November 2010 - Riga photos turned to be 3 years old, more than 1096 are taken!

January 2011 - Blog Author had left Riga, hence Riga Daily Photo became just Riga Photos!


The aim of this project is to create a descriptive website about Riga.
This website is more an informational bulletin than an art exhibition :)

In order to contact author, click here.

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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