Riga Open Air Museum
Lace balconies, curved flowing lines, floral designs, moldings in the form of fairy dragons and sphinxes, chimeras and mythical creatures. All this - the signs of such a trend in architecture as art nouveau, which was popular in Europe during the second half of the 19th - early 20th centuries.
It was in Riga buildings built in this style more than any other city in Europe. Riga Art Nouveau has a special power and expressiveness scale. It is characterized by a tendency to organic, "natural" lines, to decoration, to "life on display." He was particularly noticeable on the streets of Alberta, Brivibas Elizabetes. Facades are richly decorated with a variety of distinctive elements of decor, the details do not repeat each other. Interestingly, many of the buildings were designed by the architect Mikhail Eisenstein. In 2009, appeared in Riga and Riga Art Nouveau Museum, which is a refurbished apartment with the interior of the 19th century. In this apartment once lived and worked as a famous architect Konstantin Pekshens. Room apartment furnished museum filled with old furniture and household items, accessories, Art Nouveau.
Very interesting and the medieval core of the city. In the Middle Ages, Riga was a major port, through which passed the trade between East and West. In addition, the city was part of the Hanseatic League cities, defended merchants Northern Europe from the feudal lords and pirates. The architecture of the historical center, on the right bank of the Daugava River reflects the history of the city since its inception - from 1201. Unique medieval monuments that survived the revolution and two world wars, the cozy atmosphere of ancient narrow streets lined with cobblestones.
Town Hall Square you will see building built in 1334 - House of the Blackheads. On the same square is a copy of Roland sculpture - the symbol of independence of Riga. In the Middle Ages Roland symbolized freedom of the city, its welfare and prosperity. To the people of Prague statue knight came, prayed and asked for help. The original statue is kept in the Church of St. Peter. The grand hall of the temple was repeatedly reconstructed. On the church tower has an observation deck with a magnificent view of the Old Town and the River Daugava.
Dome Cathedral - an excellent example of the combination of different architectural styles - here and Romanesque and Gothic, and Baroque and Art Nouveau. Construction began in 1211 and lasted for several centuries, the cathedral was rebuilt later. There was a time when the height of its tower was 140 meters. Now it is 90 meters high. It should be noted that in the cathedral perfect acoustics. In the 80s of the 19th century it an organ - one of the largest in the world. Himself Franz Liszt, Hungarian composer and virtuoso pianist, wrote to Riga special body work.
Riga is famous throughout Europe for its wooden architecture. It is predominantly a 19th and early 20th centuries. Preserved and some wooden houses and 18th-century manor house. On the way from the airport to the center of Riga, guests can see the street Kalntsiema wooden buildings of the 19th century. They have, as a rule, two floors, decorated with fine detail and do not like each other. In addition, you can see here and brick and prefabricated houses. Such a combination of wooden structures, buildings, art nouveau and modern buildings can be seen in other places in Riga.
Riga historical center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
