Visit Riga

Latvia has suffered invasions by powers from both East and West and was subjected to both Nazi and Soviet rule. Milda, the bronze figure perched atop the city's freedom memorial, symbolizes the country's independence, and it is Riga's most important landmark. Visitors can't miss it upon entering the city's historic Old Town.

For its 800th anniversary in 1999, Riga put on the Ritz. Its House of the Blackheads was renovated with Dutch Renaissance facades, true to the original version, which had been destroyed during World War II. In the 14th century, it belonged to the guild of unmarried German merchants in Riga. They traded along the Daugava River and made Riga part of the Hanseatic League.

There are plenty of legends to explain how this gate was built right into an apartment building. Some say a young woman and a Swedish soldier once met here, when Sweden occupied the city in the 17th century. When their forbidden relationship was discovered, they were punished by being cemented alive into the city wall. Today, some even say their voices can still be heard sometimes at midnight...

Riga's Old Town has grown more ornate - and more expensive - ever since the fall of the Soviet Union. Most locals can no longer afford the high-priced real estate downtown. And the cityscape is increasingly dominated by hotels, restaurants, clubs, boutiques and souvenir shops

Many tourists come to Riga to enjoy its nightlife because alcohol here is particularly inexpensive. Other visitors come to admire its impressive architecture and stroll through the cobble stone streets with their necks craned, constantly in search of the next great shot.

Some of the most impressive buildings by Mikhail Eisenstein, the father of renowned Soviet film director Sergei Eisenstein, can be found in Riga. Countless stone animals, beautiful women and fantastical creatures cavort along the facades. A collection of 800 buildings in Riga are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Riga grew rapidly at the beginning of the 20th century. Industrialization boomed, the population rose, and the old wooden buildings gave way to impressive new structures. Even in the most minute details - like doors and stairwells - the wealthy were keen to show what they'd earned.

One in three Latvians lives in Riga. The capital is the county's financial hub and home to the most significant museums, theaters and universities. Its many students makes Riga a relatively young city.

Riga's newer neighborhoods are overflowing with coffee shops and chain stores. But it has a few unique qualities as well. With its tiny bars, quirky bakeries, knitting salons and designer boutiques, it maintains some of the country's artisan traditions.

Hungry? There's nothing that can't be found in Riga, from home-made schnapps to freshly smoked fish, dill pickles, caraway cheese, and honey. Riga's central supermarket, housed within five former Zeppelin hangars, is an attraction for visitors. Extra entertainment is provided by the stubborn sales people.

On January 1, 2014, the Latvians will start using the euro. They've already been getting used to the new currency for the past several months, with prices shown in both euros and the outgoing lats. People say prices have already begun to rise in anticipation of the switch.

Most tourists don't just visit downtown Riga, but the surrounding area as well. There they can visit the new Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, covering the years 1941 to 1990. A trip through the suburbs is like a journey back in time.

Riga was one of the most progressive cities in the Soviet Union. These days, many of its old factories stand empty, alongside communist pre-fab buildings and dilapidated wooden houses. The suburbs often have a desolate feeling.

Stocking up on souvenirs is easy to do in Riga. But even better is to return in 2014 for the extensive cultural program of concerts, exhibitions and events!