Riga - The Largest City in Baltics - Part II - Modern Riga.

Riga Travel Blog - Part II 

Recap - Useful Information

Here is the link to Part I of the blog - https://harshad-datar.blogspot.com/2020/12/riga-largest-baltic-city-part-i-riga.html

Introduction.

Riga is the capital city of the Baltic state of Latvia. It also is the biggest Baltic City with about 7 Lakh population. Some interesting statistics are, Riga is home to 1/3 of Latvia’s and 1/10 of total Baltics States’ compound population.

Situated at the Gulf of Riga, at the mouth of Daugava river on Baltics Sea. Riga is almost the same age as Tallinn. This city was founded in 1201 AD. IN its long existence, Riga has seen rules of Sweden, Germany, Russia, USSR, etc. till Latvia achieved its independence from USSR in 1990.

Riga of today is a modern city generation about 50 % of Latvia’s GDP. It is a major Baltic Port and the main gateway for the export of wood, Software, Metallurgy, etc.

A Building in Riga Town

How to Reach.

Riga is a well-connected city. It has flights coming from over 80 countries which come to Riga International Airport.

It can be reached by sea from Germany and Scandinavian Countries. It has rail connect with Moscow and St Petersburg in Russia. It is well connected by highway network and bus services operate between all three Baltic States. Bus presents a low-cost option for travel across Baltics. Most buses in Europe ate Volvo kind of airconditioned and comfortable ones with a toilet and some service providers also provide hot tea and coffee during the journey.

Stay Options.

Riga gets over 3.5 million visitors a year. With that kind of influx of the visitors, the stay options available are plenty. They meet the need for all types of travellers with the rentals that they can afford. There are a variety of hotels, highly rated hostels and B & Bs. There are small boutique hotels in and close to the old city, mostly in old historical buildings. A hotel in which we stayed was in an over 100-year-old building with real wood furniture. It was beautiful and it was very close to the Old city.

Local Travel.

Riga has plentiful public transport. There is also an option of hiring Cras and Bicycles. However, for all the sights mentioned below, except for Day trip, no transport is needed. All these places are convenient to walk and the walks are pleasant in Riga with the places to visit and parks, small and big are intermingled. My recommendation is to walk but for those who can not, there is public transport.

Here is Part II of the blog - Riga City -

Modern Riga

Riga is a modern city and an adorable one. It has the Opera House, museums, universities, and parks. Riga also has a lively pub and restaurant culture. In this blog, we will concentrate on the places worth visiting in Riga CIty. The list looks something like this -

1. Latvian National Ballet and Opera

2. Bastejkalna Parks

3. Freedom Monument

4. Nativity of the Christ Cathedral

.5. Esplanade

6.  Latvian National Museum of Arts

7.  Albert Street, Art Nuevo District

This tour is designed with a presumption that one is staying in a place very close to or inside the old city. Should we commence our tour? OK, here we go. 

Latvian National Ballet and Opera

Originally designed and built as part of the redevelopment of Riga, it was erected at a most prominent place in the redevelopment plan. Constructed over old bastion of erstwhile Riga town, it was ready in 1863 but was destroyed in 1882. Finally reconstructed Opera House got ready in its grandeur in 1887. It has undergone many modifications and present-day Opera House is the renovated version of old Opera House which got ready in 1995. 

The building is beautiful. This place has the regular performances of  Opera, Ballet and Symphonic  Orchestra. 

Latvian National Ballet and Opera Building

Bastejkalna Parks.

Situated on the same Aspazijas street as the National Ballet and Opera is Bastejkalna Parks. It is called "Parks" since there are two parts of the park situated across two sides of the city Canal,  It is because the park stands at a place where original Bastian once existed, hence it has got the name, "Bastian Parks". 

It is a beautiful park with a lot of greenery, trees and a canal flowing through it. It provides avenues to the citizens of Riga for recreation, sports and walks. It is worth to be in this park for a while and enjoy its beauty. Here are some photos to prove my point. 

Bastejkalna Parks, Why is the Statue imitating me?

Bastejkalna Parks, Four Statues

Sun Bathing along the Canal

Peaceful

Amazing Place

Freedom Memorial.

A Memorial Column, 42 meters high, was built in the memory of soldiers who were “killed in action” during Lativian war of freedom between Latvians and newly formed USSR (1918 – 1920). The column is formed in 13 segments which represent the culture and history of Latvia. This memorial has a standing guard of Lativian Security forces (at least they were there when we visited).

This column has sculptures of the soldiers, farmers, etc on its base and has a copper statue of “Liberty” on its apex (top). Overall, it is an impressive monument and it compliments the beauty of the Park around it. 

Freedom Memorial

Guards at Freedom Memorial

Sculptures

Statue of "Liberty"

Nativity of Christ Cathedral.

Completed in 1883 in Neo-Byzantine style, this Cathedral stands not very far from Freedom Memorial. It stands in one of the corners of a famous commuting park called Esplanade (more about it later). This Cathedral was the most expensive building in Riga when it was constructed. Its Belfry had bells gifted bt Tsar Alexander II but they were melted away by Soviets. It is an Orthodox which, over its life has seen many ups and downs including during WW II,  Soviet Occupation, etc. when it has been used as a Planetarium and also as a Restaurant in those days.

However, Since Latvia’s independence from USSR in 1991, it has been restored to its original status and glory. As a building, this golden-domed Cathedral is very pleasant to look at and soothes one’s eyes. This Cathedral is often the most visited place by foreign dignitaries visiting Riga.

Nativity of Christ Cathedral

Esplanade

The place where the park is was once a hill used by enemies to attack Riga. Thus, it was flattened by royal order in the year 1784. Subsequently, it was used as the parade ground of local garrison. It became de facto park since 1901 when the celebrations of 700 years of Riga were held here. It is a Commuting park, meaning, there are pedestrian pathways that cut across the park to facilitate walkers travel to their destinations on another side of the park.

This park is spread over 8 Hectares and has The Nativity of Christ Cathedral, Lativian National Museum of Arts and Art Academy of Latvia located within. It also has statues of a famous writer Rainis and also of first Commander in Chief of Latvian Army, Oskars Kalpaks. It has shady trees and fountains. It is a favourite place for Riga citizens for family outings. 

Esplanade Park

Enjoying in the Park

Latvian Museum of Art.

            Latvian Museum of Art building is the first purpose-built (for Museum) building in Baltics. Built-in 1905. It was designed by German architect Wilhelm Neumann. It is one of the most impressive historical building in this area. There are over 50000 pieces of Art depicting the progress of art in the Baltics region from 1800 to date. The building makes a good photo opportunity. 

Albert Street, Art Nouveau District.

Built-in 1901 and named after the founder Bishop of Riga, Bishop Albert, this street is known for Art Nouveau buildings. Most buildings are designed by architect Mikhail Eisenstein. The creativity of the artist is aptly reflected in the buildings of this street. Let us see the creativity through photos of buildings of this street-

Alberta Street, Art Nouveau District

Sheer Beauty

Just Grand

Majestic

Egypt in Riga

Loved it

Roaring Lion

The Balcony

Corner House

Hope you enjoyed this trip across modern Riga. This brings us to the end of Part II of the Riga Travel Blog. We have looked at some of the most beautiful places in modern Riga.

I am sure you liked it and will comment on the blog post.