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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Straupe

Straupe is a small town on the road from Riga to Valmiera. It is mostly famous for its Medieval castle nowadays a Narcological clinic, which helps alcoholics and drug addicted get back normal life.

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Meistaru iela

Meistaru iela
Meistaru iela (Master street) is adjacent street to Livu square. It is a street of Small and Great Guild.
Photo has been taken from Riga Observation wheel.

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Fortification

Fortification
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.

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Livu Square

Livu square in Riga
Līvu laukums (Livu square) is the central square of Old Town surrounded by nice buildings.
It is named after Livonians, the indigenous inhabitants of Latvia, which current population is less than 200 people.

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Pano

Panorama of Riga
Beautiful Riga during sunset.
Photo taken from embankment in front of Kugu iela 26, Old town is behind A-B Dambis.

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City Gate

Riga gate
Gate to medieval city was built in wall which was sometimes up to 2 meters wide.
The medieval version of Riga's Coat of Arms can be found on top of the gate.
See also Riga Scutcheon, which remained almost untouched till now.

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Lielā Ģilde

Riga Liela Gilde
Lielā Ģilde (Great Guild) is one of Riga sights located on Livu laukums in Old Town.
Centuries ago it was meeting place for merchants and craftsmen of Riga. Here was made a lot of important decisions for Riga city and its inhabitants.
Nowadays it is a concert hall, mostly for classical music events.

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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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Jēkaba kazarmas

Jekaba kazarmas - Jacob's Barracks in Riga
Jēkaba kazarmas (Jacob's Barracks) is one of the most popular sights in Riga. It is always included in all tourist hands books and advertising pamphlets.
Basically it is one of the longest building in Riga. It is about 200 meters long.
See also side wall of Barracks.

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Vecpilsētas iela

Vecpilsetas iela
Vecpilsētas iela (Old Town street). Apparently it could be the oldest street in the town :)
Moscow building can be found at the background.

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Tourist View

Christmas tree in front of Blackheads house
Blackheads' House together with St. Peters church is one of notable views of Riga
Actually I have took this photo in year 2007, but I don't want to leave this picture unpublished at all.
I promise that it is the last picture of Christmas this year :)

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Regions of Latvia

Coats of Arms of Latvian Regions
Since a long time I wanted to publish advertisement of Latvijas Krājbanka on the shorter side of Jekaba Kazarmas.
The Advertisement depicts bank's presence in each Latvian region, showing coat of arms of all Latvian cities and towns.
Please see also Riga escutcheon (part of Riga Coat of Arms)

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Blackheads' Tree

Blackheads square in Christmas time
Square of Blackheads house (Ratslaukums), with Christmas attributes and Roland in the middle.
By the way, just few meters from current position is the monument of the first ever Christmas tree in the World.

See also Webcam on Ratslaukums

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Medieval Restaraunt


The restaurant Rozengrāls is located in the centre of Riga Old Town on Rozena Street.
Interesting that, wine shop was at the exact place since 1293, after that here was a tavern.
And nowadays here is medieval restaurant, where food is prepared in the same way as hundreds years ago.
Here is no electricity, gas or hot water, just like in medieval age.

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Pulvera tornis


Pulvera tornis aka Pulverturm (Powder Tower) is the only remaining tower of City Wall.
Located at the end of Wall Street, it is one of Riga medieval sights.
Pulverturm was built in 14th century, and originally was named as Smilšu tornis (Sand tower) because of the main sand road coming to Riga.
It was rebuilt several times, last annex was built in 1930s, and the tower became as part of Art of War Museum.

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Maija Grāfa svētki


Maija Grāfa svētki (Holidays of the Graf May) is an medival event taking place on Blackheads House square every year since 15th century.
During this event the strongest man has been chosen as the Graf May.
And the most beautiful lady has been chosen as the Gravine May.

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Presidents Castle


Rīgas pils (Riga Castle) is a major sight in Riga and the official residence of Latvian President.
Castle was founded in 1330. It was rebuilt and renovated many times due the rule of different powers like Germans, Polishes, Lithuanians, Swedes, Russian, Soviets and of course Latvians itself.
Pils was always very important stronghold over the whole Baltic Region.
Hotel Latvia can be seen on the Right.

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Riga Cathedral


Riga Cathedral aka Riga Dom is the oldest building in Riga.
Since it foundation in year 1211, Riga Cathedral was rebuilt several times.
In 1930s houses on the left side of Cathedral were demolished, since then there is a Dom Square which nowadays is quite popular tourist attraction.

See Also Orthodox Cathedral.

Guest Photographer: marvic_1983

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