Riga Old Town

Overview

On the bank of the Daugava, Riga's historic centre joined the World Heritage List in 1997. Town Hall Square and Dome Square form its core, the House of the Blackheads carries an ornate gable, and St Peter's Church tower offers a panorama. More than 800 Art Nouveau buildings stand nearby, making this one of the densest concentrations of the style anywhere.

History

Founded in 1201 and a Hanseatic member from the 13th century, it was long a Baltic trading hub; some buildings were lost in the Second World War and the House of the Blackheads was rebuilt in the 1990s.

Highlights

• •The ornate gable of the House of the Blackheads
• •The view from St Peter's Church tower
• •The Art Nouveau district
• •The craft market in the old town

Practical tips

• •St Peter's tower is reached by lift
• •The Art Nouveau buildings cluster around Alberta Street

Practical information

Best time

May-September

Tickets

The old town is free; the tower about EUR 9

Opening hours

Old town open all day; tower 10:00-18:00

Local food

Latvian rye bread, grey peas with bacon, smoked fish

Getting around

In the centre, a ten-minute walk from the central station.

Visa

A Schengen visa is required; apply about one month in advance.

…