Monument of Freedom
This is an important and symbolic place for Riga.Here stands the main monument of the country - the Freedom Monument!Riga and Latvia have a complex history.It began back in 1201 when Bishop Albert arrived in these parts with a mission to convert local pagans to Christianity.He founded a city named after the Ridzene River, a tributary of the Daugava.The city was surrounded by defensive walls, and later by sandy ramparts (bastions) and a moat.We are now standing in the very place where those bastions once stood.They were dismantled only in 1857 when the Old Town no longer had enough space. The sandy bastions were removed and replaced with parks, and the moat was turned into a city canal.The park near us is called the Bastejkalns Park ("Bastion Hill Park").This hill is part of the former bastion system that once encircled Riga.You can also take a boat ride along the city canal.That’s when Riga began to grow! Beautiful stone buildings were constructed, especially in the Art Nouveau style, which was becoming popular. Today, Riga is considered the capital of Art Nouveau.For about 350 years, Riga was a German city.Then, it was under Polish rule for 60 years.In 1601, the Polish-Swedish War began, and in 1621, Riga became a Swedish city for 90 years.In 1701, during the Great Northern War, Russia took over the area for 250 years.Latvia only gained its independence and freedom in 1918 - this year is considered the founding of the Latvian state.The Freedom Monument symbolizes this event. It was erected in 1935 in memory of those who died fighting for Latvia’s independence.It stands 42 meters tall and contains a staircase inside leading to the top - occasionally open to tourists, though rarely.The woman atop the monument symbolizes freedom and independence. She holds three stars representing the three original regions of Latvia: Kurzeme, Vidzeme, and Latgale.Today, there are four regions - Zemgale has been added.Another notable spot nearby is the Laima Clock, which is over 100 years old.“Laima” sounds similar to the Latvian word “laime,” meaning happiness.The clock is a popular meeting spot in Riga - you’ll often see young people waiting here with flowers.After its renovation, the clock now plays melodies every hour, composed by the famous Latvian composer Raimonds Pauls.Now let’s head into the Old Town itself, where I’ll show you Riga’s key symbols and share their stories.
Livu squere
This square is named after a stone idol once worshipped by local pagan Liv tribes.The sculpture here is a replica of a real idol found in the 19th century near Salaspils.A farmer clearing his field discovered a strange stone and brought it to a stonemason — it ended up in the Museum of History and Navigation, where the original still resides.The replica stands here in the square.
The Great and Small Guilds
Also on this square are the Small Guild and Great Guild.The Small Guild was a community of craftsmen in medieval Riga - brewers, blacksmiths, masons, carpenters, shoemakers, jewelers, stove makers, etc. - all people who made things with their hands. They built this house for gatherings and celebrations.The Great Guild was for merchants - wealthy and influential people.Riga was always a trading city, at the crossroads of northern-southern and western-eastern trade routes.For a long time, only Germans could be members of the guild - other nationalities were excluded because guild members received the best trading privileges. Becoming a member was very difficult.
The House of the Black Cats
Also here is another Riga symbol - the House with Black Cats on the Roof.Legend says a rich merchant wasn’t accepted into the Guild, despite multiple attempts.In anger, he built a house across from the Guild and placed two black cats on the towers, with their tails raised and backsides turned toward the Guild windows…Guild members were outraged at the sight and demanded the cats be turned.The merchant agreed - but only if he was accepted into the Guild.Eventually, he was, and he turned the cats’ faces toward the Guild building.
The Powder Tower
This is the only remaining tower from the 14th century.At the base, you can see white limestone - local shell limestone used to build the early city.There were once many towers like this along the defensive walls, spaced about 100–115 meters apart - the distance a bow could shoot.This allowed signals to be sent between towers with arrows.There’s a funny story:In the 19th century, students wanted to rent a space for their club but had little money.Surprisingly, the city magistrate agreed and gave them the Powder Tower for a year.But when they opened it, they were shocked - no one had entered the tower for 100 years… except pigeons.One-third of the tower was filled with pigeon droppings.At first, the students were disappointed. Then they realized pigeon droppings were excellent fertilizer, and nearby there were gardens.So they started selling it by the bucket!They earned enough to clean and maintain the tower and even pay rent for 100 years in advance!Today, the tower houses a military museum, and entrance is free.
The Swedish Gate
This gate appeared in the city wall during the Polish-Swedish War in the early 17th century.Legend says a local girl and a Swedish soldier fell in love.One night, despite the ban, she tried to sneak through the gate to meet him.The guard shot her…They say her spirit still wanders near the gate at night.The gate leads to Troksnu Street (“Noisy Street”).It was noisy during wartime, being next to the wall, and even in peacetime - due to active trade.Near the Swedish Gate is a small, barely noticeable house - the executioner’s house.In medieval Riga, there was an official executioner who regularly carried out punishments (for example, cutting off hands for theft or burning witches).No one liked the executioner - his house was at the edge of town.When a new execution was scheduled, they say a rose was placed on the window - his silent signal for work the next day…
St. James Church
Built in 1225 as a Catholic church, it became Lutheran under Swedish rule.Today, it is again Riga’s main Catholic cathedral.In medieval Riga, people said:"You haven’t truly visited Riga if you haven’t seen its three wonders: a bridge that lies on water, a giant standing by the gate, and a bell hanging outside a tower."One of these wonders is on this church - normally bells hang inside towers, but this one hangs outside.The church used to be on the edge of the city, and the bell was used for emergencies - enemy attacks, fires…It also supposedly rang when an unfaithful wife walked by - hence the nickname: “The Bell of Sinners.”
The Three Brothers
These are the three oldest residential buildings in Riga.According to legend, they were indeed built by men from the same family line.The oldest one – the White Brother – dates back to around 1490. It’s built in Gothic style, with small windows. In medieval Riga, there was a tax on windows, so not everyone could afford large ones.In front of the oldest of the “Three Brothers,” there's a small courtyard with a porch and stone steps. On the porch, there is a stone marker with forged ownership rights — this served as the house’s address.The Middle Brother and the Green Brother were built later than the White one, and they no longer have courtyards in front of them.Inside, in the ceiling, there are hatches that go all the way up through the attic floors.The house was heated using a fireplace, and the smoke traveled through all the upper floors, warming them before it exited. That's how the entire house could be heated efficiently.Today, these buildings house the Museum of Architecture, and if you wish, you can go inside and explore them. The entrance is free.
Dome Square
Dome Square is one of the central squares in Riga. It houses the Museum of Foreign Art, which used to be the building of the Stock Exchange in the 19th century where trade was held. There's also the building of Latvian Radio-4, which used to be a bank, and of course, the main cathedral of our city — the Dome Cathedral."Domus Dei" — in Latin, means "House of God."Construction began in 1211, ten years after Riga was founded, by the decision of Bishop Albert.The bishop wanted this cathedral to be the most magnificent and beautiful. He was in a hurry because he was already advanced in age.But Bishop Albert died in 1225, and the construction dragged on for 800 years. That’s why the architecture of the Dome Cathedral features all the styles that were popular in Riga over those centuries:RomanesqueGothicBaroqueAnd even Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) — the foyer of the cathedral is designed in that style.Inside the Dome Cathedral is a unique organ. At the time of its construction in 1884, it was the largest organ in the world.Its height is 25 meters, width 11 meters.It consists of 6,718 pipes of various lengths and diameters, which creates a truly unique sound.Its registers are named after musical instruments — flute, bassoon, violin — and also produce sounds like the human voice, rustling wind, and ocean waves.Small organ concerts, called “Piccolo,” are held in the cathedral daily at 12:00 noon.
The Narrowest Street in Riga
The narrowest street in Riga is Rozena Street. It is named after Bishop Rozen, who lived nearby.They say that back in the day, when ladies wore wide dresses, two women could not pass each other on this street — someone had to give way. They would often stand there for a long time arguing over who should yield.Then one wise man said: "Let the younger one step aside!" And so the argument would continue, as neither wanted to admit their age.At the end of this street is a medieval restaurant called Rozengrāls. It was opened in an old wine cellar, which still holds the oldest medieval well in Riga.In this restaurant, you won’t find potatoes — they were introduced to Europe much later.And on Saturday evenings, they play medieval music using authentic instruments.
Town Hall Square
Another important square in Riga. It has always been the main square. The Town Hall was located here, where the city magistrate worked. Important proclamations were announced here, noblemen were executed here, and the city market operated here until the 1930s.In the middle of the square stands the statue of Roland. Such statues stood in the central squares of all cities that were part of the Hanseatic League.Riga was one of them.Also on this square is the beautiful House of the Blackheads.Who were the Blackheads?They were merchants who traveled to distant lands - Africa, India, China - and traded in colonial goods like spices, tobacco, tea, and coffee.In the Middle Ages, these goods brought profits of up to 2000 percent. So these merchants were very wealthy.But not a single one of them was Black. So why were they called Blackheads?The reason is that they chose Saint Maurice as their patron saint, and he was a Moor. His head adorned the cloaks and flags of the merchants, and that’s how they got the name - Blackheads.You can see the figure of Saint Maurice to the right of the entrance. The building is also decorated with sculptures of ancient gods - Neptune, Mercury, Unity, and Peace - protectors of trade and navigation.This square was heavily damaged during World War II. The buildings were only rebuilt at the end of the 20th century.
St. Peter’s Church
This is the oldest functioning church within the old city.It was built in 1209 and is the tallest church.Its tower has collapsed seven times for different reasons - due to foundation problems, lightning strikes, fires, and during World War II.That’s why a tradition began: whenever the tower was rebuilt, the architect had to ride up on a rooster-shaped weathervane, drink a glass of champagne, and throw the glass down. The number of pieces it broke into symbolized how many years the tower would last.Roosters on the towers of Riga’s churches are another symbol of the city.The tradition of installing roosters came to us from Northern Germany with Bishop Albert. The rooster is a symbol of dawn, a symbol of the victory of light over darkness, and also refers to the biblical story where Jesus told the apostle Peter: “You will deny me three times before the rooster crows.”There’s a legend that the Second Coming of Christ will happen when all roosters sing at once - even those sitting on church spires.There’s an observation platform on the tower of St. Peter’s Church.
The Bremen Town Musicians Monument
This monument was a gift to Riga from the city of Bremen in 1990.They say if you make a wish and rub the noses of each animal, your wish will definitely come true.Unfortunately, this was the last stop for our excursion. Please make sure to check other tours and follow us on social media.
