Latvia

 

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022 

Welcome to Riga, Latvia.

How about we delve into the complex Old Town? Later we can see other parts of Riga. 

Entering through a section of the original town wall.

 

Delving into Old Town, the architecture started impressing.

See?!

This striking 1909 art nouveau is called Cat House. See why?

Navigated the cobblestones peering up.

Trīs Brāli (Three brothers) represents three architectural styles in 3 eras.

Riga Castle, 1330, is still used.

Doma baznīca (Dome Square)

It's quite vast.  

   

 

Loved it.  

  

Curving pedestrian streets, more of that remarkable architecture...

A bakery opened in 1870? If I must.

  

Riga Cathedral

Built in 1211.

Largest in the Baltic.

 

Nice day to take a pause and sit in the courtyard imagining centuries of history.

   

Then back at gazing.

  

Endless streets.

Another pass through Doma baznīca.

Town Hall Plaza is where the first Christmas Tree was displayed in 1510.

Melngalvju Nams (House of the Black Heads) was built in 1344 for a guild of merchants.

It was bombed by the Nazis in 1941 then blew up by the Soviets in 1948.

It was rebuilt in 2001 with the original foundation now housing a museum.

  

  

And upper floors having fancy rooms.

Rigas Sv. Petera baznica (St. Peter's Church)

 

Built in 1209.

And for 8 euros you can get this view.

  

Time to get out of Old Town, wondering how I always find myself in neighborhoods like this.

 

Riga centraltirgus (Riga Central Market) is housed in World War I zeppelin hangers.

   

Yeah. It was awesome.

   

The first hanger was fish.

   

 Stopping for lunch.

   

The second hanger was bakery, prepared foods and supplies.

   

  Of course I got bakery!

   

 

Love markets, such a reflection of the people.

  

  The third hanger was high fashion.

   

 

Behind these three hangers was a vast expanse of produce.

   

 

A separate hanger had meat.

   

 

Fresh.

   

Nearby was an alley of shoes.

   

 

This side of town was grittier.

   

 

With passageways under the street.

   

   

 

A modern mall adjoining a train station.

  

Pilsētas Kanāls (City Canal)

 

Freedom Monument

   

North of Old Town.

   

Now heading from south of Old Town, to the northeast.

   

The main goal was to see one street.  This isn't it.

   

Stately buildings abound.  Still not that street.

   

Alberta Ielas is heralded for its Art Nouveau buildings.

   

Built in 1901,

   

I walked it three times,

   

head craned up,

   

 

marveling at,

   

 

these,

   

 

masterpieces.

   

 Highly worth the walk.

   

 

Heading back to Old Town, there was yet another image at every corner.

   

 Didn't think I was going to leave without ice cream?

   

 Goodbye Riga, Latvia.