Riga Off The Beaten Path

The 19th century Russian Orthodox cathedral on Brivibas iela was converted to an astronomical observatory during the anti-religious Soviet era. Since independence it's been restored to it's proper use, though locals still refer to it as the 'Planetarijs'.

Location: Brîvîbas 23

Alberta Street carries the name of the man who founded Riga. Now it is one of the most beautiful and splendid streets in the city, representing all tat Jugendstil can offer. The construction of this street took place in a rather short period of time - from 1901 till 1908. The authors of the magnificent buildings are M.Eisenstein, N.Mandelstam and K.Pekshens.
These buildings are rich in picturesque details, free composition and perfect performance. You will find astonished faces, masks, large number of different animal sculptures etc.

Take a stroll around the Central Market, which is one of the largest in Europe. The indoor part of the market takes place in 5 enormous zeppelin hangars which were built in the 1930s.
Vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy products, flowers and much more is provided freshly at the countless market stalls. The Central Market is situated close to the railway station and the main bus station.

A town where churches were created, Riga, religious capital.

The churches of Riga are the History of Riga :
all over the centuries, a lot of different tribes and religious unities followed one another.

This small museum is located in a 19th century customs warehouse near the Daugava bridge and the castle (Torna iela 1). When I was there they had an exhibition of some really nice modern Latvian art, basically anything but paintings. Upstairs there was a room with children's paintings on the wall, and in the middle there were some children sitting on the ground painting. I had never seen something like that in museum before.. :)

I paid just a few santims to get in... even if you don't like it you won't have wasted fortunes on it. :)

Nice and silent place to take a walk and look at hundreds year old wooden architecture where before WW II Latvian intelligentsia lived. Or take a sight on lake where windsurfists have a good time. Silent and safe area, just take tram 10, step out at ZOO and choose direction. The most suitable time spring and autum. Sometimes discoveries in Mezaparks surprises even me.

Here comes the newest Bowling Hall in Riga, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania. Made by famos Latvian architect Janis Silis. It's opened just few months but very popular not even in Latvia but a broad, too. Before this spot Riga's bowling halls looked like some warehouses or a like. Sinc Bowlero is opened we have another idea how one place to relax must look like. From outside it somehow reminds a trendy ship covered with glass and do not give full picture of it's interior where architects and stylists showed why are they so expensive - it realy impressive. Starting with stylized bowling ball with cafe inside it, nighclub and small but cosy restaurant. Well, this topic should be encloused in nightlife and sports as well, but it is worth to see as a architectonic piece of art, too.

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Riga is rich in parks and gardens. Trees, bushes and lawns girding the old part of the city offer a relaxation.Bastion hill was created from 1857 to 1859 to replace the old defensive sand walking street. Cascades and many trees made it one of the most visited parks in Riga.
Location: Separating Old Riga from the new centre