Riga, Latvia
Riga’s Tumultuous History
Latvia, and its capital Riga, is situated in northeastern Europe in the Baltic region along with Estonia and Lithuania. The country has a complicated history of leaders and ruling states that have changed hands many times over the years. The city of Riga was founded by Germans, but prior to that it was a popular trading spot for Vikings along the Daugava River that runs through its centre.
Over the years, Riga was also ruled by Polish-Lithuanian forces, Sweden and then Russia from the late 18th century.
The Streets of the Old Town
Wandering through the streets old Riga’s old town provides lots of sights to see. From winding roads to narrow alleys, Riga can take a while to discover as you twist and turn through the buildings dating from the 15th century to the multi-story apartment buildings with Art Nouveau architecture that popped up in the early 20th century during a time of massive population growth. In fact, Riga has the highest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in the world, easily spotted with their colourful, ornate exteriors and plenty of glass and iron work.
Guards stand outside Riga Castle, which today contains the residence of the President of Latvia.
Riga Castle across as seen across the front lawn.
Riga’s Short-Lived Independence
With World War I, Riga took advantage of the weakened Russia to declare its independence and establish itself as its own nation. However, this led to a population decline as many Russians returned to their home country following the war.
The Soviet occupation of Latvia began in 1940 with during World War II, and many Latvian citizens were killed or sent to Siberia in a genocide of massive proportions. Latvia endured many of the hardships of the rest of the communist Soviet Union, with food shortages, little entertainment or travel, and relentless KGB surveillance.
Over the decades, this resulted in Russian influence throughout Riga, as settlers from Russia came to live in the apartments of those Latvians who had been killed or exiled to Siberia. In fact, the majority language of Riga was Russian in the 1980s and most schools taught Russian as their primary language.
The Collapse of the Soviet Union
With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Latvia again was able to assert its independence in the early 1990s. It took a decade long transition, but Riga began to flourish again with the Latvian language becoming more prominent throughout the city and increased foreign investment made Riga into the “Capital of the Baltics” as the major city of influence in the region.
City Canals wind along the edge of the old town near Bastion Hill Park.
The Freedom Monument
This monument located near the centre of Riga on Freedom Boulevard, honours those who lost their lives in the fight for Latvia’s independence between 1918-1920.
It was built in 1935 and considered for demolition several times during the Soviet Republic’s annexation of Latvia after 1940. However, it remains standing as a symbol of Latvian independence and sovereignty.
The monument is protected by guards of honour that watch over the monument during the day, changing every hour.
Today, the monument is a frequent sight for gatherings, celebrations and ceremonies. Citizens and visitors still lay flowers at its base to remember those who died fighting for independence.
Nearby is a popular park with paths, benches and a canal that runs through the middle.
The House of the Blackheads was originally built in the 14th century as a place for gathering and trading, but was destroyed in WWII. It was rebuilt in 1999 and has recently served as the office of the President of Latvia.
Present-Day Riga
Today, Riga is a colourful and vibrant city. To walk through the old town in summer, you will discover countless outdoor restaurants and cafes lining the streets. Cars and pedestrians share the cobblestone roadways, with people on foot far outnumbering the vehicles passing through. Outdoor green spaces, gardens, patios and flower gardens add to the atmosphere of the city as you walk through the narrow streets.
