I came to ghost town Irbene to make a better photo of Radiotelescope RT-32, but again I was unlucky
The antenna's site was closed, therefore I could take a photo only from remote road, which is not so good again.
Photo was taken on my way to Neringa between Kolka and Road to Ventspils.

Labels: coastline trip, industrial, kurzeme, military, science, soviet, ventspils

The building of new Sea Monitoring Tower in Apšuciems, which is located at Kuplā priede camping site.
Check the previous stop in my seaside route Ragaciems and Engure Harbor.

Labels: buildings, coastline trip, future, industrial, kurzeme, military, projects, sea, towers

Today is the last chance to see Latvian (yes, they exist!) and other EU warships anchored in Passenger Port.
Military ships arrived to Riga because of training exercises happening in Irbe strait.

Labels: daugava, events, military, morning, rivers, ships

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.

Labels: castles, cesis, history, medieval, military, museums, parks, ruins, sights, spring, swedish, vidzeme

The monument of Ilyushin Il-28 military aircraft is located in a small village Skulte, 100 meters next to RIX.
Skulte was a closed military area before 1993, which was home for 27th division of Soviet Air Defence Forces.
People living in this area were also serving the Anti-Aircraft base in Marupe.

Labels: airplanes, buildings, gray, marupe, military, monuments, skulte, snow, soviet, spring, towns

Although this huge-size 32-meter diameter antenna is not located in Riga, it is one of remarkable sights in Latvia.
It was built in 1971 in the Westernmost point of USSR to intercept radio waves over Atlantic.
Another, smaller locator (16-meter in diameter) is located several hundreds meters away.
See the photo of RT32 in 2012.

Labels: military, sights, soviet, ventspils

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.

Labels: animals, daugavgriva, events, german, history, hobby, military, people, russian, swedish

Brāļu Kapi (Brothers' Cemetery) is a military cemetery in Ciekurkalns area, which is the last home for more than 2000 soldiers who had fought for the independence of Latvia between 1915 and 1920.
Cemetery was officially opened only in 1936, when grand memorial structures and garden decorations were ready.

Labels: cemeteries, ciekurkalns, doorways, independence, interwar, military, religious

Alster A50, intelligence ship of the German Navy, is moored in Riga Harbour last couple of days.

Labels: german, harbours, military, rivers, ships

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

Anti-Aircraft defense base is located in Marupe. It has some strange constructions and of course radars.
It was built during Soviet times in order to protect airspace over Riga and surroundings.
Taking close-up pictures is forbidden because the military base is still operating.

Labels: airplanes, forest, marupe, military, soviet, trees, winter

23th February is Defender of the Fatherland Day (День защитника Отечества) in many ex Soviet countries.
Fortunately in Latvia it has not legal status. Otherwise my patriotism would look for answer, who is the defender of Latvia? And from who?
The guys on the photo are doing very serious job, they are hunters of deadheads in tramways, aka Controllers.
They fight against crime everyday, perhaps they are defenders? :)
BTW, the price for single use ticket has grown for almost 50% since last 6 months. Now it is 0,70Ls (1 EUR)

Labels: funny, holidays, jobs, military, pardaugava, people, prices, snow, tramways, transport, winter

Military parade of Latvian Army at Riga embankment in honor of 91st Independence Day.
It seems that recently Latvia has visibly improved its armed forces with new equipment. I wonder why...
Also I always wonder why forested country has army wearing desert camouflage uniform :)

Labels: cars, events, government, helicopters, holidays, independence, jobs, military, people, streets, transport

This Ieroču veikals (Gun Shop) and shooting range are located in a former bomb shelter next to First Hospital.
Latvia is not gun-friendly country like United States, therefore there are only few gun shops in Riga.
In fact, by Law of Latvia it is not allowed to use a gun even when being attacked.

Labels: autumn, buildings, center, military, people, shopping

Arsenāla iela (Arsenal street) is 125 meters long street in Old town, which connects Tornu iela and Pils iela.
Before 1885 the name of the street was Skolas iela (School street). See current Skolas iela.
Nowadays Arsenala iela is the less remarkable street inside of Old Town, here are no any museum, any bar or any other interesting object. Only old warehouses.

Labels: buildings, military, streets, vecriga

Kalpaka bulvāris during shiny summer day. Boulevard is named after Oskars Kalpaks, the first commander of Latvian army.
Previous names of this boulevard between Brivibas and Elizabetes were:
During soviet times it was Komunāru bulvāris (Boulevard of Commune members)
During interwar period the street name was the same as now - Kalpaka bulvāris.
The earliest name known to me was Totlēbena bulvāris, basically devoted to Eduard Totleben, another army general, but of Russian Empire.

Labels: cars, center, military, streets, summer

Убежище (shelter) built in Dünamünde fortress.
The shelter was designed to protect military personnel against enemy attacks from the air. In fact it is almost invisible from the areal view.

Labels: abandoned, buildings, daugavgriva, doorways, military, ruins, russian, writings

Tank is being sculpted in Ilguciems, most probably, will be devoted to Latvian war of Independence (5 December 1918 - 11 August 1920).
Did you know that Latvia had produced their first tanks during the First World War already? At that time it was absolutely new product, which still was not available in the most of the world states.

Labels: buildings, first, ilguciems, independence, military, monuments, projects, wars

Tower inside of forgotten military Daugavgriva Fortress.
In fact it is water tower, which had been supplying closest areas with water.
See also Agenskalns Water tower, Ciekurkalns tower and Center towers.

Labels: buildings, daugavgriva, industrial, military, towers, trees

Military parade of Latvian army on Lāčplēsis Day showing Latvian forces.
It could be compared to Red Square Parade :)
Even for me, patriot of my country, it is funny to see those lumbering cabriolet technic waddling on Daugavpils streets.
From whom they could protect us? What kind of great power they want to show?

See also wall of candles ceremony in Riga, and Lacplesis day in 2007.

Labels: daugavpils, events, funny, government, holidays, independence, jobs, latvian, military, people, transport