The striking prospect of this gargantuan beast has tempted many a tourist to cave into their curiosity and stray 'the wrong side of the station'. A relic of Riga's Soviet Past, the Latvian Academy of Science owes its blueprints to Stalin's Seven Sisters in Moscow, and has all the glamour and charm you associate with the era. In fact until recently tourists were also greeted in true Soviet style by a mono-lingual receptionist who would simply pass you a note (in cellophane) stating that 'scientists and researchers are busy here, this is not a tourist attraction, please f*ck off!' ...or words to that effect. Nowadays though hand the lady a lat and you can climb to the top for a perfect panorama of Riga. That's progress for you!
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