Riga Hotels

The Three brothers (houses) are good examples of Riga's medieval homes, located on Maza pils 17, 19 and 21, in the northwest corner of the Old Town. No. 17 was built in the 1400s making it the oldest stone house in Latvia. The other two were built in the 17th and 18th centuries, respectively. Unfortunately, not much is known about the history of these homes or who owned them. No. 19 was the last one to be built and now functions (appropriately) as an architecture museum. The three brothers together depict different stages in the architectural development of Riga from medieval to Baroque.

This red-brick cathedral is one of the largest and most distinctive in the region. Construction of the Dome was begun in the 13th century and stands today as an impressive testament to centuries of German domination. Over the years it has gone through one reconstruction after another and displays influences of Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque and other styles. Among the distinguished Crusaders buried in its crypts is Bishop Albrecht, a key figure in subduing the local heathens in the early 1200s. Scores of other notable citizens from the past are also buried here, including most of Latvia’s archbishops and architects. After the 16th century Reformation, plots inside the church were simply sold to the highest bidder. The Dome of Riga is renowned for its large church organ with a total of 6,768 pipes making it the fourth largest organ in the world.

The Freedom Monument in Riga was erected in 1935 during the first period of Latvian independence which lasted 1918 - 1940. Milda is the name of the figure atop the pediment and she holds 3 stars, representing the regional districts of Latvia. In the Soviet years the interpretation was changed so Milda was said to be 'Mother Russia' upholding the 3 baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. To this day flowers are placed at the base of the monument to celebrate the brief period of freedom this very old country has experienced.

Riga Castle dates from 1330, built as the headquarters of the Livonian Order. This spot on the banks of the Daugava was specially chosen for strategic reasons - those in the castle could oversee all the ships coming into port. In the second part of the 16th century the Livonian Order was reformed and the castle was taken over by the Polish, Swedish and Russian rulers (not all at the same time). At the beginning of the 18th Century, a castellated tower was added adjacent to the Castle. The second floor of the castle was built at the beginning of the 19th Century. The last reconstruction was completed in the 1930s by architect E.Laube. The gate, interiors and furniture were designed by A.Cirulis. Riga Castle is now the home of Latvia's President who has a residence in one of the wings.

The house of the blackheads is one of the iconic symbols of Riga. It is a striking Gothic building with a Dutch Renaissance façade. Originally used to house travelling, single members of the merchants' guild (the blackheads), its first historic mention is to be found in a chronicle from 1334. Regrettably, it was all but destroyed in the second world war. Before its destruction many of its treasures were taken back to Germany by Baltic-Germans returning home in the 1930s. When the Soviets took over Riga they completely removed the ruins as they considered it 'decadent' German architecture. Following Latvian independence, the building was completed restored in 1999 and opened as a public visitors attraction.

The Powder Tower has protected Riga from attack for over 400 years, mainly from Sweden in 1625. The war with Russia has also left its traces with 9 cannon balls embedded in the walls of the tower. Originally one of sixteen, The Tower is the sole survivor of Riga's defence network and now houses the Riga Museum of War (open 10am-6pm tel: 722-8147). The museum consists of a collection of weapons used both by and against Latvians over the last 700 years such as armour, muskets, swords, shells etc. There is also an interesting display on Latvia's participation in World War One. It should be noted that most of the description labels are written in Latvian however, the museum is still well worth the visit.

The Convent Yard (Konventa Seta) is one of the oldest building complexes in the Old Town of Riga. The buildings date from the 14th to the 16th centuries and have recently benifited from a comprhensive restoration programme. The buildings offer a glimpse of Riga's medival past, most of which has unfortunately been lost through wars and occupation by foreign powers. Part of the building now operates as a hotel under the same name.

St. Peter's Church built around 1209 as a Merchant's church. It has endured a torrid history, through political and religious change. Firstly a catholic church, it was then converted to a Lutheran church in 1523 during the Reformation. The impressive church spire has been rebuilt many times over. At one point it collapsed during a storm, flattening a nearby house and killing the inhabitants. After this tradgedy, the chief architect was asked to sit atop the wind vane drink a glass of wine, and throw the glass to the ground. The shattered pieces would then be counted and the number of pieces would indicate the number of centuries the spire would survive. The legend says the glass landed on a passing hay cart and survived with only the stem broken. Sure enough, that spire was destroyed by fire again within two hundred years. The spire was destroyed again during WWII. The church was deliberately set on fire by the Soviets as a propaganda stunt which they blamed on the German forces. The truth behind the whole operations has only just been revealed. The spire is accessed by lift, the view from the top is well worth the ride.

The market in Riga is one of the most accessible and thriving markets in all of the Baltic Region and gives you a real insight into the lives of the people of Riga. Built in and around five former Zeppelin hangars between the train station and the river. This giant bazaar is a truly fascinating place to visit. You can by all manner of things at the market from meat, fish and vegetables to CDs, electrical goods and clothes. The bustling atmosphere of the market hasn't changed much in over 70 years, although most of the hawkers are less likely to haggle than in the past. The markets spill out beyond the hangars and operate throughout the day, some longer than others.