Old Town Riga
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, Riga has over 500 buildings in a range of architectural styles, including Gothic and Mannerist. St John’s and Convent courtyards offer quiet spaces for reflection, while the riverbank offers views across the Daugava towards the angular National Library of Latvia.
House of the Black Heads
Constructed in 1334 this landmark building houses a medieval cellar, packed with historic artefacts, and a grand Conference Hall. It was faithfully reconstructed in the 1990s following destruction during the Second World War, and features sculpted figures and an astronomical clock on the ornate façade.
St Peter’s Church
Riga’s tallest church stands more than 400 feet high and offers fine views over the Old Town’s streets. The original statue of the knight Roland, a symbol of Riga’s Hanseatic heritage, is displayed within St Peter’s, and the Blue Guard Chapel, a Baroque-style masterpiece, is one of the reasons to explore the interior.
Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia
This museum was established in 1924 and showcases more than 100 traditional buildings from across Latvia. Visitors can step inside them to see how rural dwellers lived and worked in bygone times, and from May into September historic interpreters showcase crafts such as pottery making and weaving. The Harvest Festival is one of 20 events held at the museum each year.
Art Nouveau buildings
Riga’s rapid growth is reflected in its over 800 Art Nouveau buildings, with a concentration in the so-called Quiet Centre. Occupying the architect Konstantīns Pēkšēns’ former apartment, the Riga Art Nouveau Centre on Alberta Street – a must-visit location for architecture enthusiasts – tells the story of the movement.
