Riga culture reviews

Museum of Occupations

I completely agree with Andrew whilst Latvians continue to celebrate the 16 March as a day of liberation when in actual fact they became on that day part of an SS detachment is completely unacceptable for a country that wishes to be seen as being progressive. A section devoted to the Holocaust and Latvian collaboration in mass murders of Jews needs to be addressed in the museum of occupation no matter how painful and shameful it is for Latvians to take on board this part of their history.

National Art Museum

it is great

Freedom Monument

The Freedom monument is wonderful monument. It is located in Wonderful country. For viewers that are viewing my review, The Freedom monument was built by Karlis Zale, A latvian sculptor.

St. Peter's Church

I also needed this for a school project LOL :) :D

St. Peter's Church

Haha, I also needed this for my school project! :)

Museum of Occupations

I know through family that we can never understand the control tyrants can have on our actions.Threats made or implied.Threats carried out.I believe the museum did a good job of showing the horrific things done to many people.

Museum of Occupations

They would do well do show the atrocities committed by Latvian SS and Arajs commandos against Jews after the Soviets were chased out in 1941. Most of those murdered were peasants who had nothing to do with communism. Not to condone Soviet oppression, but Latvia has failed to own up to the degree of collaboration with Hitler.

Museum of Occupations

Interesting museum, however there should be more focus on the struggle of the Forrest Brothers in the post-war era. As archives in both the Soviet Union and the UK are available now, more effort should be put into investigating the resistance movement in the Baltic countries after WW 2. Especially Operation Jungle (and the treacherous role Kim Philby played) deserves a closer look into...

Museum of Occupations

A fascinating, but horrifying museum. It made me realise how pervasive the whole system of oppression was. Using fear to control everyone. And how easy it is for such a system to take hold, and how hard to shake off. It made me think we are basically bad as humans, only laws stop us form behaving like tyrants.

Riga Dome Cathedral

It is either Riga (Protestant) Cathedral or Rigas Doms. 'Dome' is meaningless in English - it just means cupola, which this wonderful building has not got. The Riga Russian Orthodox Cathedral has a dome - perhaps you are confusing the two buildings?

Riga Castle

Riga Castle. (Riga Pils) Latvia The best view of what remains of the medieval section of Riga Castle is from the Daugava river. The most identifiable feature is the round tower. There were originally four rectangular towers one at each corner of a rectangular courtyard with fortified walls. The castle was built in 1330 but in 1484 it was pulled down by the local Rigans who had took over the city when they rebelled against the occupying German Teutonic Knights of the Livonian Order. In 1491, the Livonian Order came back, retook the city and ordered Riga Castle to be rebuilt. Because of the development of gunpowder and siege cannons the towers were now built as a round cylinder to help deflect cannon balls. The construction was completed in 1515. When the order ceased to exist in 1562, the castle remained part of the Riga defense system. For many centuries it served as the main residence for the head of the occupying forces be they from Poland, Sweden or Russia. Between the 17th and 19th centuries there was continual reconstruction and remodeling work to turn Riga castle into a palace suitable for the head of state to govern the country and receive visiting heads of state. Riga Castle today is the seat of the Latvian president which means a lot of the castle is off limits to visitors but you can visit the History Museum of Latvia and the Museum of Foreign Art that are housed within Riga Castle. There is a fairy story attached to Riga castle. It is about a witch and her daughter: When Poland gained power in Riga, the Swedes came and wanted the city. The daughter of the Polish king was a real-life witch who climbed up to the tower and sat there in protest. She bewitched all the bullets so that they rolled back and didn't even touch her. At last, a very clever soldier called Peter made friends with the witch's daughter and cheated a secret out of her: how to kill the witch. The only way you could was by shooting her with a silver bullet. Peter found a silver bullet and killed the witch, which actually just turned her into a magpie. The witch sank into the Daugava River, but before she did, she put a curse on her daughter. It is said that while the witch sleeps at the bottom of the river, not a single magpie will settle in Riga. Craig Moore - www.MooreTravelTips.com

Riga Dome Cathedral

The great cathedral of Riga is one of the most beautiful churches of Northern Europe. But when will the Latvians learn that 'Dom' or 'Doms' does not translate as 'Dome' in English? In English it is Riga Cathedral, or the Riga 'Doms', if you want to stick to Latvian.

Powder Tower

These towers were far more important than you might think. They could hold the key to the city, defensively.

National Art Museum

The museum has many unknown, but perfectly fine pieces. It's an excellent choice for a rainy day.

Dailes Teatris

Excellent if you understand Latvian, though they hold a few events from time to time in English.

Academy of Science

wow, that looks exactly like the one in warsaw. so strange to see.

Riga Opera House

Hi can someone please help me buying tickets for the Opera next saturday (7/11) it's unfortunately not working by internet (they tell me my password is wrong every time) Please please please HEELP!!! Thank you!

National Art Museum

Really nice collection of XIX century vanguards. They have movements represented such as impressionism or cubism but from the Russian/Latvian perspective. Authors are not as well known as the French ones so paintings are still impressive. It well worths a 45 min visit. The building is also impressive. I wouldn't go party with guides eider, but felt that they where willing to help.

Riga Opera House

http://www.opera.lv/en/what-s-new/ http://www.opera.lv/en/productions-concerts/new-productions/ Hope this helped :)

Riga Dome Cathedral

I visit Riga almost every year and the Dome Cathedral is the first place i visit every time i am in Riga! The Organ music and the beauty of the cathedral is making me cry every single time! the most exciting place on earth (at least for me)!

Riga Opera House

Went to see the ballet Le Corsaire last night - amazing!! Did enjoy every moment of it! The hall is beautiful and staff selling tickets etc. very friendly!

Riga Opera House

Very good Riga sightseeing bus tour starts there. Blue cabrio bus is superb!

House of Blackheads

I'm looking forward to visit Riga and, of course this monument: House of Blackheads! Next week I hope to be there! For now, I'm watching the webcam! ;-)

Freedom Monument

I can't believe that foreigners would actually disrespect the local culture so much by p*ssing on this historical monument, how unbelievably rude! Learn some respect or go home!

Riga Opera House

Really nice opera house! So royal! I really enjoyed the ballet and the building itself. Amazing, although i visited this opera house over a year ago, i´m still impressed and looking forward to go there again! :)