Page 158 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

156  LA T VIA REGION B Y REGION

c Pauls Stradiņš
Museum of the Art Nouveau Architecture
History of Medicine
Paula Stradiņa medicīnas vēstures Rīga’s collection of Art Nouveau buildings has been
muzejs recognized by UNESCO as unparalleled anywhere in the
world, with most found in the Quiet Centre (Klusais Centrs).
Antonijas iela 1. Map 2 D2. Tel 6722 Many of the early examples – dating from the turn of the
2665. @ 2, 24. Trolleybus 1, 19.
Open 11am–5pm Tue–Sat (to 7pm 20th century – are categorized as eclectic Art Nouveau,
Thu). Closed last Fri of the month. making use of asymmetry, symbolic ornamentation and
& 8 ∑ mvm.lv details drawn from nature. Two other Art Nouveau styles
found here are perpendicular, which placed emphasis on
Opened in 1961, this museum vertical composition, and National Romanticism, which
is based around the collection
of cancer specialist Dr Pauls incor porated folk motifs and the use of natural materials.
Stradiņš and is one of the
world’s three biggest medical
museums. Its aim is to explore
the history of medi cine in
relation to scientific develop-
ment. Ancient uses of
medicinal herbs, trepanning M E DN IE KU IE LA
(the oldest known surgery,
which involves making a hole
in the patient’s skull) and
Soviet developments in space AL B E R TA I E L A
biology and medicine are w Elizabetes iela 13
covered. The oddest exhi bit is Less ornately decorated than RŪ PN I EZ Ī B AS I EL A P U L K V E Ž A B R I E Ž A S T R Ē L N I E K U I E L A
a stuffed two-headed dog, others in the area, and V Ī LAND ES I E LA
which was the result of judicious in its use of space,
experimental grafting. the façade of this building A U S E K Ļ A I E L A A N T O N I J A S I E L A
illustrates the principle of amor
vacui (love of space).
v Art Nouveau E LI Z A BE TE S I E L A E L IZ AB E TE S I E LA E L IZ AB E T E S I E LA
Museum
Jügendstila muzejs A PUMPURA
Albert iela 12. Map 2 D2. Tel 6718
1464. Open 10am–6pm Tue–Sun.
& 8 ∑ jugendstils.riga.lv
This museum celebrates the Art
Nouveau movement for which
Rīga is most famous. It is located
in the former apartment of the
building’s architect, Konstantīns
Pekšēns (1859–1928), who lived
here around 1900.
Before you enter the apart- 9 Strēlnieku iela 4a
ment, note the elaborately Symbols of victory adorn this eclectic Art Nouveau edifice, including
decorated balconies and corner maidens clutching wreaths and bald eagles. The building, designed by
tower. Once indoors, it is worth Mikhail Eisenstein, now houses a private school.
climbing the staircase to the
fifth floor in order to view the
paintings that adorn the
ceilings. The interior is furnished q Strēlnieku iela 2
throughout as it would have An example of perpendicular
been during the time when Art Nouveau, the architectural
Pekšēns lived here, although design of this building is
few of the items are original. relatively restrained, with
Visitors are guided by staff in ornamental details integrated
period costume, and there is a into the structure, including
short film about Art Nouveau carvings of grain at the top.
buildings in Rīga.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp300–301 and pp320–22

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