Another report from the Baltic countries, this time about Riga and its monuments and cobbled stone streets. Riga's old town stretches from the Central Market until Jacob's Barracks and runs beside the Pilsetas Canal. The city is unbelievably big and goes beyond the Pilsetas Canal up northeast. But not everything there is of interest and some streets don't even look that friendly. However the city centre is something else and you can spend hours lost in the labyrinth of alleyways around the medieval St. Peter's Church, where also a copy of the Town Musicians of Bremen is there for decorative purposes. Just on the other side of the street is the House of the Blackheads, most famous building in the city. In the front square free walking tours are offered in english and take 2h30min. Behind the House of the Blackheads is the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and its square, which at the time I didn't visit but checked the open exhibition with snails sculptures made for Riga's City Festival. Moving deeper into the confusion of streets and passages, and not that far is the Cathedral and the Dome Square. Being deemed to be the heart of the city and largest in the old town, many events and markets reunite here. Further north there's the cat house, yes you read correctly. The building is known for having two cats sculptures with arched backs and raised tails on its roof, and they seem about to jump into thin air. The Bastion Hill and Park follows a great part of the canal and allows the locals to circulate, as well as to practice canoeing or simply enjoy a picnic. It includes the Latvian National Opera House, the Freedom Monument and Laima's chocolate shop. Stop a bit here, recharge your batteries before moving to the next spot and last of this report - the Nativity of Christ Cathedral. I believe this is one of my favourite religious spaces so far, because of its extraordinary decoration and at the same time simplicity. No photos were taken due to respect.
Speaking about canal, on the other side of it and passing by the Central Market, right across from the Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady Church, you'll see an huge brick building with a 65m tower. This is Riga's Concert Hall and the Latvian Academy of Sciences, where most tourists ignore that there's an observation deck. Entry fee is of course required and costs 5€.
Further away and close to the Kronvalda Park, there's a quite interesting area - along the Albert and Strēlnieku streets - with different kinds of Art Nouveau buildings, awaiting definitely a visit from art interested individuals and architects.
Speaking about canal, on the other side of it and passing by the Central Market, right across from the Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady Church, you'll see an huge brick building with a 65m tower. This is Riga's Concert Hall and the Latvian Academy of Sciences, where most tourists ignore that there's an observation deck. Entry fee is of course required and costs 5€.
Further away and close to the Kronvalda Park, there's a quite interesting area - along the Albert and Strēlnieku streets - with different kinds of Art Nouveau buildings, awaiting definitely a visit from art interested individuals and architects.
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