Art Noveau in Riga Latvia

 

Riga enjoys a strategic location with the Baltic Sea at its gateway and the Daugaya River at its borders. It is also the capital city of Latvia and a popular tourist destination.  Multitudes of tourists visit every year not only for its natural scenery but for its famed architectural marvels. In fact, it is renowned around the globe for its huge collection of Art Nouveau structures.

When visiting Riga, the first on your list of sights to see should be the Historic Centre of the city. The place is so full of interesting and impressive structural royalties that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Drop by for a visit and you can expect a rewarding and gratifying day of sight-seeing.

As I have always done in the past, I make it a point to get a bird’s eye view of the place I am visiting. It is the best way to get a good mental picture of the whole city. The best place to do this in Riga is at the soaring tower of St. Peter’s Church.

Although it was completed way back in 1746 (the original foundation of the church was placed in 1209) you will be happy to know that the tower is now equipped with a working elevator to easily transport visitors to the summit. You can conveniently enjoy a spectacular overlooking panorama of the surrounding areas without breaking a sweat. You may also find it interesting to note that St. Peter Church is believed to be one of the highest wood buildings in all of Europe.

Next in line is the Riga Castle which is located right on the embankment of Daugaya. This impressive building dates back to 1330, although it was only completed sometime in the 15th century. Perhaps due to its remarkable design, it was chosen to be the seat of the Latvian government since 1938. To fully appreciate the castle and get a glimpse of the country’s history, a visit to several museums in the vicinity is recommended.

For a unique museum experience, check out the Motor Museum where you can see a fascinating collection of classic vehicles and retro motorcycles. Stalin’s armored limousine complete with his wax figure is also part of the exhibit.

You may also want to take a look at the largest medieval church in the entire Baltic territory – the Riga Church that dates back to 12th century. Aside from its size and long history, its extraordinary pipe organ is also something to see and hear, if possible.

For some open-air jaunts, visit the tourist favorite Mezapark, also known as the forest park where you can enjoy a quiet picnic or simply chill out in its gardens. The area is also home to Riga Zoo where the whole family can have a great time with more than 3000 animals who make this zoo their home. Just a short distance away is an amusement park to complete your day of fun and adventure. If you happen to be in the area in the month of July, it’s worth taking part in the merriment of Latvian Song and Dance Festival.

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