- Riga
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- historic site
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Latvia
This little known museum has an amazing collection of soviet era helicopters and even some jets. It is run by a private collector who has built up the collection over the past ten years. Rarely seem outside Russia these copters and planes are impressive and interesting and if you have an hour whilst waiting for your flight can be seen for small fee
www.aviamuseum.org/EN/
Ten min walk from the main terminal...ask the helpful staff on the information kiosk inside the building as other staff seem unaware of its existence (as do official tourist info in riga)
full info and list of exhibits here
aviamuseum.org/EN/
Only bettered by the equally unknown air museum at east midlands aiport (ask in aircraft model shop...the only one I have ever found in an airport even though that would seem a great place for one!)
We had a great day out of Riga. Me and my friends from the UK booked the Liepaja tour from the local tour operator Around Latvia. I personally would recommend this tour if you are interested in the military and the history.
One of the great pleasures of historic central Riga (Vecrīga) is aimless wandering, and you’ll find some of the most evocative streets and lanes at the northern end of the Old Town. Don’t miss the narrow, intimate Trokšnų iela, and the Swedish Gate at Aldaru iela. Close by are the equally photogenic Mazā Pils iela and Klostera iela.
Trokšnų iela, Aldaru iela, Mazā Pils iela & Klostera iela
Google map: bit.ly/SGH96M
We booked two day tours (the Grand Riga Tour and Sigulda Tour). Both were surprisingly good! The guides and service were excellent. Thanks Gatis and Gundega (tour guides) and Janis!
www.latviantourguides.com
+371 29787307
In the Town Hall square next to the House of Blackheads you will aslo find The
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia housed in a black communist-era building -
.detailing events of Latvia's recent history, from the World War II occupations to the
events of independence in 1991, the museum is definitely worth a visit, in order to
gain a clearer understanding of Latvia.
www.omf.lv/
Strēlnieku laukums 1, Rīga LV-1050
+371 67212715
Google map: bit.ly/ni3iQJ
* * Kristine is our Been there local for Riga. Her page is here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/riga-local-kristine.jsp and she has her own blog here: www.friendinriga.blogspot.com
The House of Blackheads in the Town Hall square built in 1344, is a stunning example of Gothic architecture. The original house was the headquarters of unmarried local merchants, known as the Blackheads. It was a place which played an important role in the life of society and traditions; VIPs from all over the Europe were often guests there and had wild secret parties.
A German merchant club the Brotherhood of Blackheads existed here until the middle
of the 20th century. On the top of the building you see a blue astronomical clock and inside the
building in the basement there is an exhibition about the history of the building. Its rooms and halls are rich with golden decorations, 19th century furnishings, paintings, the Latvian State highest award - the Three Star Order
- and the medal collection. Rooms of the building are also rented for cultural and private
events/celebrations, different concerts and exhibitions.
Rātslaukums 7, Riga, LV-1050
+371 67044300
Google map: bit.ly/o0kBd1
* Kristine is our Been there local for Riga. Her page is here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/riga-local-kristine.jsp and she has her own blog here: www.friendinriga.blogspot.com
You will find the Town Hall square (Rātslaukums)
as you walk through The Old Town. And you don’t want to miss it because it’s what you see on postcards from Riga. You need to take your own picture at this place.
With stalls, workshops and various feasts The Town Hall Square used to be the centre of public life during The Middle Ages. Historians believe it
was originally a market place, but after expansion of the city in 1211 the Town Hall square was formed here. Punishments were executed and pageants used to be arranged here
as well. During World War II the luxurious development of the square was completely destroyed. Thanks to grand reconstruction works in this century the main buildings - the Town Hall and Blackheads House - have been restored.
Today at the Town Hall Square you will find a renovated House of Blackheads, souvenir shops, City Hall and the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. In the centre of the square you can see a figure of Roland which is a symbol of judicial
power, freedom and independence of many European cities.
It’s located between Kaļķu Street and Grēcinieku Street, close to the river Daugava.
Google map: bit.ly/qYOlPf
* * Kristine is our Been there local for Riga. Her page is here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/riga-local-kristine.jsp and she has her own blog here: www.friendinriga.blogspot.com
The most popular place to see Riga from the height of birds is the Tower of St. Peters Church. The church is located in the Old Town, it’s included in the UNESCO World Heritage and from there you can enjoy romantic views to the old buildings, the river Daugava - which divides the city into two parts, and bridges. It’s a postcard worthy sight.
www.peterbaznica.lv
Skārņu street 19, Riga, LV-1050
+371 67229426
Google map: bit.ly/nuG6p6
The Freedom Monument is something you can’t miss. It’s the border between The Old Town and the new part of the city, it’s the beginning of the main street in Riga – Brīvības street (Freedom street), it’s a meeting place and more. The
42 meter high monument helps people orient themselves.
On the left side of the monument stands The National Opera House with it’s garden, on the right side is Bastion Hill and in front of it lies the Old Town. All roads in Riga eventually lead to it – the highest freedom monument in Europe.
It is dedicated to 'Fatherland and Freedom' and is topped by a Liberty Statue - a woman with three stars symbolizing regional parts of Latvia:
Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale. At the base of the monument are several sculptural groups symbolizing different values - Labor, Strength of the Nation, Spiritual Strength, Freedom, Family. On the lowest block you can read historical events showed by the help of sculptures. The Monument was created by Kārlis Zāle (1888-
1942), a well-known Latvian sculptor and erected in 1935 during the first period of Latvian independence between 1918 and 1940.
Nowadays everyone is free to place flowers there and people really do it, but during the Soviet era, a running joke, not completely untrue, was that the monument was a travel agency, because anyone who dared to place flowers at its base got a free one- way ticket to Siberia ... The occupation authorities did not remove the monument fearing protests, but there was an unwritten law not to film and take pictures of the
monument. This is the monument Latvians really respect and take care of and now it is as important as it was during the time Latvians didn’t know the freedom.
Nowadays you will find there different cultural events, national holidays, song and dance
festivals celebrated near the monument. Sometimes you will see here a brass orchestra
playing, you will hear the National Anthem or folk songs, you will hear the heads of
the country with their speeches during national celebrations talking to people at this place. On a daytime there are also guards standing at the monument. If you want to see the changing of the guard come at 10am or 5pm. Every morning there are people watching them coming and taking pictures of this small performance.
Riga, LV-1050
Google map: bit.ly/nNAdqb
Riga is an ideal place for experiencing various types of international architecture, among them historic buildings from the Hanseatic League, prestigious Soviet edifices and some of the most splendid Art Nouveau buildings in the world. See what I mean on www.fm1721.com/experience/riga
Riga, Latvia
From our experience, Riga has one of the greatest collection of art nouveau buildings in Europe.
A third of buildings in the centre of Riga were built in this style. These date between 1896 and 1913, with the most striking examples being found around Albert St. If you’re in Riga, we really recommend you take in some of this stunning architecture.
The nuclear bunker tour in Latvia is funny, weird and a really good day out. My friends and I combined it with a trip to the shooting range in Latvia.
I first heard about the tour in a story I read in easyJet's in-flight magazine about a crazy underground nuclear bunker in Latvia's countryside.
The bunker is in the middle of nowhere and is absolutely the most strange place I've ever been to. Plan to go back and do it again in the winter for the full-on Soviet winter vibe.
The combination of an eye-catching wine list, friendly service and great food makes this place your home away from home in Riga.
As you walk through the glass entrance that provides the only natural light to the restaurant, you enter a warm world of wood, stone and glass. The potential unfriendliness of bare brick and rough plastered walls is successfully offset by exposed wooden beams, ventilation running through polished wooden conduits, and locally hand crafted stained glass lampshades.
A carved wooden partition separates the smoking and non-smoking areas and provides some intimacy for those who end up with tables in the center of the restaurant. The overall effect is of a warm and comfortable environment.
10, Aldaru Street. The restaurant is located in the very heart of Vecriga (Old Riga) in the medieval warehouse building next to the only remaining bit of the city wall and one of the main tourist attractions - Swedish Gates.
Cars through the ages. Not to mention great Soviet kitsch - look out for the waxwork of Breshnev in his crashed vehicle. In the suburbs of Riga, it's also handy for a walk in the neighbouring woods, by an abandoned race track.
Take a tram to the edge of town. www.muzeji.lv/guide/pages_e/motor.html
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