Brochure "Top 15 Tourist Sites in Riga" - Latvia

171. Dome Square(www.vecriga.info)In the heart of Old Riga is the largestsquare, Dome Square (Doma Laukums),around which are situated the city’sbest outdoor cafes and bars. Thesquare’s current appearance goes backto the 1930s when only a portion of itsmedieval buildings were torn down. Onthe edge of the square one can see theDome Cathedral (Doma laukums 1). Itwas built as Bishop Albert’s Cathedralin 1211 and rebuilt several times since,so today exhibits a mixture of lateRomanesque, early Gothic and Baroquearchitectural styles. The cathedral isfamous for its organ which is used inmany concerts and recitals.tourist sites2. Līvu Square(www.vecriga.info)Livu Square (Līvu laukums) is relativelynew, built in the middle of the 20thcentury after World War II. An interestingcomplex of 18th century residentialbuildings have been preserved here,as well as, the 18th century built LargeGuild (merchant association) andSmall Guild (craftsmen’s association)buildings in which one can see rich,decorated interiors. In the summer anumber of outdoor cafes operate inLivu Square, and in the evenings thereare live outdoor concerts, restaurants,clubs, and never a shortage of people.in Riga3. Rātslaukums Square(www.vecriga.info)Opposite the stone bridge there is stillanother important square in Old Riga– the town square or Rātslaukums. Inthe Middle Ages it also served as anopen air market. During World War IIthe square was completely destroyed.However, today the town hall hasbeen completely restored as have theBlack Heads (Melngalvju Nams) andSchwabe’s House, and the statue ofRoland. Here one can also see the1970s Soviet Era building that housesthe Occupation Museum. The Rigatourism information centre is located inthe Schwabe’s House.

57. The Powder TowerThe Powder Tower (Pulvertornis) isone of Riga’s fortification towers andwas originally called the Sand Tower. Itdates back to 1330. Rebuilt numeroustimes, it gained its current name in the17th century when they began to storegunpowder in the tower. Since 1919 ithouses the Latvian War Museum.8. The Spīķeri creativequarterThe Spīķeri creative quarter is nowhome to more than a dozen cultural,creative groups. Located a stone’sthrow from the Central Market by theshores of the Daugava River, Spīķerihosts regular art exhibitions organizedby the kim? creative group, as well ashigh-calibre music concerts in theconcert hall. Restaurants and cafes inSpīķeri are also worth visiting.9. Three BrothersThree Brothers (Mazā Pils iela 19) is acharming group of residential houseseach from a different century, the oldestdating back to the 15th century.

11Riga Tourism Development BureauTērbatas 14, Rīga, LV – 1011E-mail: feedback@liveriga.lvwww.liveriga.comPhotos:from the archives of Latvian Tourism Development Agencyand Riga Tourism Development Bureau