Page 145 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

LA T VIA REGION B Y REGION  143

RĪGA

With its long history as a mercantile centre, Rīga is the largest
and most cosmopolitan city in the Baltic States. This is reflected
in the buildings that line its streets and squares. The Old Town
boasts an engaging array of medieval warehouses and Dutch
Renaissance apartments. Remarkable Art Nouveau buildings,
which secured the city UNESCO World Heritage Site status, can
also be found.

When German crusader Bishop Albert Blackheads, have been rebuilt or
von Buxhoevden chose Rīga as a restored. The “liberation” of Rīga by
strategic location for his fortress in 1201, the Red Army in 1944 ushered in almost
the area was already inhabited by tribes five decades of Communist rule, and
who traded with Russian and there are still more ethnic Russians than
Scandinavian mer chants. The German Latvians in Rīga; relations between the
settlement became the headquarters two communities are cordial but
for the subjugation of the region and rarely warm.
prospered as a member of the Since Latvia regained independence
Hanseatic League of trading cities. in 1991, Rīga has flourished, becoming
Ruled by Sweden from 1621 to 1710, a vibrant tourist destination with an
Rīga experienced a 19th-century impressive range of museums and a
heyday under the Russians. New spirited nightlife. Change has been rapid
suburbs were built for incoming and not always smooth, with the arrival
workers, the harbour was expanded, a of low-cost airlines in particular bringing
ring of boulevards was created in place its own challenges. Fashionable new bars
of the old fortifications, and in the and restaurants cater to growing crowds
20th century, industries such as auto- of visitors, and new glass and steel
mobile construction were developed. buildings have sprung up alongside
The capital of an independent Latvia the cobbled streets and church spires
between the world wars, Rīga suffered of the medieval Old Town. This is not a
heavily during both conflicts and many picture-perfect city stuck in time, but
of its oldest buildings were devastated. a lively metropolis intent on shedding
Several, including the striking House of the trappings of Soviet rule.

Outdoor café on Cathedral Square (Doma laukums)
Figure at the top of the Freedom Monument, affectionately referred to as “Milda”

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