Lived in Riga Europe, Staro Rīga, Takes Place This Year (1837-1839)

www.LiveRiga.com www.latvia.travel CONTENTS 3 Welcome to Riga, City of Inspiration by the Baltic Sea 6 Icons of Riga Riga’s skyline 10 Riga’s Architecture – Splendid in its Diversity 14 Thriving Arts and Culture Scene 16 Riga – European Capital of Culture 2014 18 Annual Events WELCOME TO RIGA, CITY OF INSPIRATION BY THE BALTIC SEA 21 Accommodation to Suit All Budgets and Tastes The first unforgettable impression that Deco, from Romanesque to National most visitors get of the Latvian capital is Romanticism. Furthermore, Riga’s wealth 22 Riga – Delightfully Delicious Destination its majestic skyline, as viewed from the of Jugendstil or Art Nouveau buildings, left bank of the Daugava River. The slender complete with their fantastically ornate 24 Shopping in Riga Gothic spires of the Old Town’s numerous flourishes, stands out as unparalleled churches attest to the city’s long history anywhere in the world. Yet equally unique 27 Health, Wellness and SPA and beauty services that dates back to the 13th century. The are the many 19th century wooden buildings panorama’s pleasing harmony is just that have proudly withstood the pressures 28 Business Tourism Opportunities the most visible indication of the superb of commercialization and gentrification, aesthetic sense that has shaped much of retaining their place in Riga’s architectural 30 Active Leisure for the Whole Family the city’s architecture up to the present cornucopia and currently undergoing state- day. of-the-art facelifts. 32 Jurmala and its White, Sandy Beaches Nowhere is that aesthetic more pronounced But Riga is much more than just its history. 34 Sigulda Thrills than in Centrs, the central part of Riga, Proud of its heritage, it is a thoroughly which is the city’s economic, financial, modern city with a highly developed 36 How to Weather Seasons in Riga and cultural core, as well as a UNESCO infrastructure and opportunities for a designated World Heritage Site. One will variety of activities and entertainment. A find a breathtaking range of architectural city with rich musical traditions, today it styles in the historic centre – from Baroque boasts an excellent opera, several world- to Classicism, from Renaissance to Art class choirs and outstanding classical 2 3 orchestras, not to forget jazz, rock, and Among its more than 700 000 inhabitants blues ensembles, plus a variety of other there are Latvians, Russians, Belarusians, popular music bands performing both in Ukrainians, Poles, Jews, and other ethnic concert halls and clubs. groups. All have left and are still leaving their mark on the customs, cuisine, and At the vanguard of dramatic art not only the very appearance of Riga. While the locally but on the European scale, the New city’s relatively compact, urban space is Riga Theatre has much to offer to locals ethnically mixed, it features many distinct and visitors alike. Riga’s museums are neighborhoods, each with its own unique definitely not dusty repositories of the past, history and landmarks. but are instead putting an increasing emphasis Among Riga’s many treasures are its on interactive displays and modern beautiful, well-tended gardens and parks, technologies, while the many art galleries which occupy a substantial part of the compete with each other in trying to city’s territory. In fact, there are several predict the trends of the future. Add to that good-sized forests within the city limits, the varied shopping venues and myriad where the locals love to take Sunday strolls, cafés, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, jog, watch birds, pick mushrooms in the and you get Riga in all its lively variety. autumn, and go skiing in the winter. In the spring, when the city’s many orchards are What has always been central to the in bloom, white petals can be seen drifting energy of the city, however, is its people. through the air; then come the purples Located by an important waterway - the and pinks of lilacs, which are particularly Daugava River - connecting the city to spectacular along the crooked, dreamy the Gulf of Riga and the Baltic Sea and side-streets of Pārdaugava, on the left bank thus to far-off lands, Riga has always been of the river, to be followed in late June by a transportation hub and a crossroads, the pale honey of blossoming lindens that where different cultures meet and intersect. line Riga’s stately boulevards. HAVING ENDURED MANY CHANGES AND ECONOMIC UPHEAVALS, RIGA REMAINS A LIVELY, SPIRITED, AND FUTURE-ORIENTED CITY WITH ITS OWN DISTINCT AURA, CHARM AND STYLE. Jāņa iela 4 5 ICONS OF RIGA LIKE ANY Metropolis WITH A long AND illustrious history, RIGA HAS its share OF ICONS – LANDMARKS, syMBOLS AND legends. THIS BRIEF list WILL HELP you to faMILIARIZE yourself WITH SOME OF THEM AND to acQUIRE A FEEL OF THE city’S TIMeless SPIRIT. House of the Blackheads This spectacular building is one of the most photographed in Riga. Located in the Townhall square, opposite to the City Council. The original building was erected in the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads – single German merchants. The house was bombed during the II Freedom Monument World War and completely destroyed. Even the most cynical Latvians retain some Reconstruction of the House of Blackheads reverence for the Freedom Monument, started only in 1995 and was completed one of Riga’s central landmarks. Unveiled four years later. Since 2012 this is the in 1935 and financed entirely from public primary workplace for the president of donations, the stone and metal structure Latvia during the rennovation works in the was originally built in memory of those who Riga Castle. fell during Latvia’s War of Independence, which lasted from 1918-1920. The Dome Cathedral monument rapidly became the main In terms of age, size, and overall majesty, symbol of Latvia’s statehood, national unity nothing in Riga can equal the Dome and independence. Cathedral, the largest medieval church in The motto “For the Fatherland and the Baltic States. The Dome’s interior holds Freedom” is inscribed upon the base. many unique treasures that offer insights 6 7 into the art history of the Baltic region. The most popular local confectioner, Laima, Dome’s famous organ – once the largest in appeared on the clock during the 1930s. the world – was constructed in 1884 and has more than 6700 pipes. Sakta flower market Latvians often present flowers as gifts when Wörmann Garden (Vērmanes dārzs) visiting their friends and family members. public park This national, floral cult amazes tourists This central park was created by the widow of a wealthy merchant in 1817. It is and reflects a Northern weakness for these Pumpurs penned the classic and legendary known affectionately as Vērmanītis – the living embodiments of the sun and its Bearslayer epos, based on popular Latvian diminutive of Anna Wörmann’s surname warmth. folktales that he himself had once heard. that has since been Latvianized and turned into a toponym. Guarded by two lions, a Mangaļsala Jetty Brethren Cemetery monument to Anna now stands in a circular Mangaļsala is the first part of Riga that The Brethren Cemetery, with its powerful rose bed. On the Merķeļa street side, visiting ships reach as they enter the city artistic expression of Latvia’s national posing like the dandy he sometimes was, from the Baltic Sea. The jetty on Mangaļsala struggle for self-determination, is a sacred is a bronze of Kārlis Padegs, one of Riga’s is located right where Latvia’s “river of fate,” place for many Latvians. On the last Sunday most fascinating, early 20th-century artists. the Daugava, flows into the Gulf of Riga. in November, when people light candles The best place to experience the wonder of at the fog-shrouded graves of their loved Cobblestone streets the place where these two great bodies of ones, hundreds bring candles to the statue Cobblestones have covered Riga’s water meet is by standing right on the jetty. of Mother Latvia at the Brethren Cemetery, streets for more than five centuries. They At sunset, if you walk along the concrete between the Forest (Meža kapi) and Rainis are simultaneously loved (real Rigans “tongue” that stretches into the sea for (Raiņa kapi) cemeteries in Riga. sometimes call themselves cobblestone several hundred meters, it feels like you’re kids) and lamented – like when the heel of walking on water. The remains of more than 2000 of fallen a woman’s shoe catches in a narrow gap soldiers of the First World War (1915-1918) between the stones. Bearslayer and the War of Independence (1918-1920) Bearslayer (Lācplēsis) is Latvia’s have been buried here. Between 1924 Laima Clock mythological superman, whose and 1936, the sculptor Kārlis Zāle – who The Laima Clock, erected in 1924 and superhuman exploits have been recounted also designed the Freedom Monument – located close to the Freedom Monument, to practically all Latvian children for as far developed this remarkable cemetery, may very well be the most popular back as anyone can remember. During together with other artists and architects. rendezvous point in Riga. The logo of the the late 19th century, Latvian poet Andrejs 8 9 RIGA’S ARCHITECTURe – SPLENDID IN ITS DIVERSITY The National Library RIGA’S DIVERSE architectural heritage spans ALMost THE ENTIRE RANGE OF THE city’S 800-YEAR history, froM THE 13TH century to THE PRESENT. WITH over 4000 Magnificent BUILDINGS REPRESENTING A variety OF artistic styles, RIGA’S historic CENTRE was DECLARED A WORLD Heritage SITE by UNESCO IN 19 97. As you stroll through the Old Town’s see sites in Riga. winding cobblestone streets, you will discover numerous other elegant buildings Old Town is enclosed on one side by the – including the Three Brother’s Building Daugava River, and on the other by the Complex on M.

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