Tourist Guide Riga Riga Latvia Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum Kalnciems Quarter Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum is a Kalnciems Quarter in Riga is a part of unique place where you can go for a leisurely walk European wooden architecture heritage. It is a and see the history and development of bustling center of social life, which regularly Latvia - our home, our life, our ancient Latvian crafts, technologies and hosts series of cultural and business events, future. traditions. Visitors can observe the old crafts such as farmers' markets, artisan goods sales, and try them out themselves, as well as taste artist galleries, concerts and other similar traditional Latvian food. The nearby lake events. Latvia's capital is Riga and the total shore with a pine forest is beautiful in all population is slightly above 2 million. seasons, including winter, when the museum The national language is Latvian, has a skiing area. There is also an annual currency – euro (before 2014 – lats). applied folk art fair on the first weekend of The total area of Latvia, which includes June. sea territory, is 64,6 square kilometers. Riga Riga Riga Riga Festival Festival of Light “Staro Rīga” Latvian Song and Dance Festival Riga Festival is an annual musical event Festival of Light “Staro Riga” is the largest Latvian Song and Dance Festival is a organised in June. The festival programme is festival of lights in Northern Europe. It has traditional cultural event in Latvia. This festival expanded every year and currently includes gained huge popularity among Riga residents is part of Latvian national identity and it various theatrical performances, art and visitors alike. “Staro Riga” was first usually takes place every 5 years. This festival exhibitions, multimedia and open-air events, organised in 2008 and has since become an has happened 25 times since 1873. Usually, as well as events for children. It is also annual traditional festival. The event usually on the last day of the festival, in the morning common that during the festival the lasts 4-5 days, and the timing coincides with all participants go on a festive procession, restaurants and cafes in Old Riga participate the Latvian Independence anniversary while in the evening the final concert is held in the making of various cultural activities. celebrations. The festival allows city residents on the Mežaparks large stage. Usually and visitors to have a look at unique light art approximately 30,000 members participate, objects. Just for a few nights in the streets, including choirs, dance groups, brass bands, parks, squares and especially the illuminated folk groups, folk dancers, traditional music façades people can view different techniques, ensembles, harpist ensembles, decorative and art objects and light shows encouraging to fine arts studios, vocal ensembles, amateur sightsee around the city of Riga in a new theater and foreign groups. The festival was light. included in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2008. Riga Riga Riga 11th November Quay November 18 1991 Barricades Museum 11th November Quay is the main street of In November 18, 1918, Latvia's independence The 1991 Barricades Museum was established Riga near the Old Town and Central was proclaimed at the Latvian National in 2001 on the basis of historical items neighborhoods. The total street length is Theatre. This day is a holiday in Latvia for collected by the association of participants of 1,185 meters and it consists of 4-6 lanes. those employed in the government the barricades of 1991. The museum is There is Waterfront promenade, the view of institutions and most private companies. located in the heart of Riga's Old Town, on the Old Town and the Latvia's longest river Different activities take place throughout the Krāmu Street, where those participating in the Daugava, which splits Riga into two parts. On day. The celebration begins in the morning barricades used to eat and relax. Its mission is the waterfront is a venue for events such as with a ceremonial procession and laying of to realize, preserve, study and communicate the Riga Festival, Independence Day military flowers at the Freedom Monument, in which the spirit and the material evidence about the parade, motorcycle season opening and the president and other top state officials events of January and August 1991 in Latvia “Staro Riga” light festival. participate. In the afternoon the National and hold dear the memory of the victims. Armed Forces march on the 11th November waterfront, and in the evening there is a torch parade. The holiday ends with a magnificent firework display over the Daugava river. Riga Riga Riga Art Museum “Riga Bourse” The Latvian National Museum of Art Museum of Ancient Baltic Jewellery The museum was opened in 2011 and is The Latvian National Museum of Art is the The Museum of Ancient Baltic Jewellery was located in the historical centre of Riga. It largest collection of national art in Latvia. The established by two well-known Latvian represents a new type of museums. The museum building on K.Valdemāra iela, jewellers - Inita and Vitauts Straupe, who have museum offers to experience interrelation designed by German architect Wilhelm been studying Baltic and Scandinavian between East and West, as well as a dialogue Neumann and built in 1905, is one of the jewellery for more than 20 years, making between the classics and modernity. An most impressive historicism buildings in the copies and using traditional motifs and important aspect of the new museum is Park and Boulevard Circle area of Riga. It was symbols for their up-to-date designs that harmony between the acquisition of the first building in the Baltics to be built for have already travelled to all continents. The knowledge and recreation, as well as the the purpose of being a museum. jewellers want to share their enthusiasm for breaking down of barriers between various the magnificent jewellery of 2nd – 12th forms of culture. centuries. Riga Riga Riga Riga Motor Museum Pauls Stradiņš museum of the history of Natural History Museum medicine The Riga Motor Museum is the biggest The visitors can see the development of There is enough in the museum to see, study antique vehicle museum in the Baltic medical history from the times of ethno and learn for days without end, because one countries. It was founded in 1989 on an medicine till the mid 20th century in thematic tour will only cover but a part of what there is initiative from Latvia Antique Automobile or overview excursions, as well as enjoy a in the museum. Human evolution, mounted club. The list of exhibits includes cars, unique exhibition concerning outer biology animals and birds from all over the world, motorcycles and bicycles made from the last and medicine. The main exhibition spans 4 collections of insects, plants and minerals, a decade of the 19th century up to the second floors, covering ancient medicine (basement), journey into the history of Earth, recreation of half of the 20th century. There are over 200 middle ages and renaissance (1st floor), 18th- volcanic eruption, studies of the sky, multiple exhibits, which include not only civilian 20th century with all the great discoveries of exhibitions, modern and interactive displays, vehicles, but also racing cars, firefighter cars, that period (2nd floor), and the history of quizzes and stories - a visit to the museum army vehicles etc. medicine in Latvia (3rd floor). will be fondly remembered by small and adult visitors alike! Riga Riga Jūrmala Riga Art Nouveau Museum Night of Museums Jūrmala Seaside Resort Riga is one of the few European cities where Night of Museums is a traditional European Jūrmala is the most popular seaside resort in Art Nouveau architecture, art and design event in May, when for one night doors of Latvia and the biggest one in the Baltic States. objects have survived in great numbers. It is most of the National Museums are open to all The resort town is located just 23 km from even called "the metropolis of Art Nouveau". visitors, organizing special events and inviting the capital Riga. The nearly 33 km long and There are 800 Art Nouveau buildings in Riga, to visit museums free of charge. Every year broad beach is covered with white quartz mostly located in the city's centre - more and more people are involved in the sand and has several "Blue Flags" that particularly on Alberta Street. Riga Art campaign by means of exhibition halls, guarantee quality, safety and comfort (also Nouveau Museum can also be found on this special activities, participation in theaters, and for people with special needs). The city boasts street, in the former apartment of the visitors are also invited to the Parliament its unique 19th century and early 20th century renowned Latvian architect Konstantīns building and the Presidential Palace. Night of wooden and Art Nouveau architecture and Pēkšēns, who lived and worked here till 1907 Museums in Latvia has been organised since the natural resources of Ķemeri National Park. and designed this beautiful building. 2005. Jūrmala is an excellent place for recreation for the whole family - there are numerous attractions, children playgrounds and the biggest water park in Northern Europe. Kurzeme Kurzeme Kurzeme Cinema town “Cinevilla” Liepāja Naval Port (Karosta) Venta Rapid The town was built for the movie “Guards of The enchanting brutality of Karosta is a The Venta rapid in Kuldīga is the widest Riga”. Its environment was made to resemble unique and rare sight not only in Latvia but waterfall in Europe – up to 270 metres wide Riga almost 100 years ago, during the also within the historical, architectural and during spring. It is associated with a number freedom fights of 1919, when both Germans urban construction framework worldwide.