Riga Review

Our luggage packed to go to Europe  More than four years ago, we packed up all these bags and started our adventure of life in Europe. Some of you may have followed allowed with me by reading these posts over the last four years.  I tried to share with you my experiences of how life is different living in Europe and our adventures in the many countries we've lived in and visited.  We've met so many wonderful people and seen so many amazing and beautiful things during these four years. These will be years that we will always remember and cherish.  View of Prague  It's hard for me to think that we started this adventure with our move to Prague in May 2017. Living without a car and adjusting to the European lifestyle filled our life that year. The beauty of Prague, filled with tourists, was a wonder to me, who hadn't lived in Europe before. Famous Russian Church By June 2018, we were on our way to St. Petersburg, Russia. That meant another adjustment to our lifestyle. My h

  Sample of Latvian mittens Latvia has a long tradition involving mittens. That's not surprising knowing that winters are so cold here. Everyone knitted mittens here in times past - granddads, grandmas, dad, mothers and children. What else did Dad have to do on long, dark winter evenings? Mittens are part of Latvia's culture.  Mittens at a farmer's market booth Mittens are especially part of the wedding culture. Brides-to-be had to have 100 or more pairs of mittens knitted for her wedding hope chest. She handed out mittens to her father-in-law, mother-in-law, cousins, aunts, uncles, bridesmaids, cooks of the wedding supper, bakers and anyone else involved with planning the wedding.  Also included were the farm animals in the barn. Mittens were given to cows, sheep and horses. Of course, those mittens were gathered back up after the wedding celebration. I'm not sure if that tradition continues today.  Mittens from District of Kurzeme The interesting thing is that every c

  House of Blackheads One of the most unique buildings in Riga is the one pictured on the left. It was built in 1334 in the Riga Town Square by the Brotherhood of Blackheads. This guild was founded as a military organization of unmarried merchants and foreigners (mostly Germans) who fought to protect their investments in Riga's early days. These Christian men had to defend themselves against the indigenous population who wanted to get rid of the foreigners who had settled in their territory.  Over the years, the Brotherhood of Blackheads slowly changed into a more commercial society with meetings that pertained to the trade and social standing in the community. When the members of the Brotherhood were married, they would then join the Great Guild in the city.  Statues decorate the building The facade of the House of Blackheads is very interesting with sculptures of Neptune, Mercury, Unity and Peace adorning the main portion of the building. The roof line is in a stepped pattern as

With the long warmer days here, the flowers have brought beauty to the parks near us. I'll share this postcard with you of the Riga spring flowers. Our days are getting very long since we're so far north. The sun rises before 5:00 now and sets at 9:45 at night. By June 21, the sun will be up from 4:30 AM to 10:22 PM. Lots of time to party! Picture of fountain from bridge in canal Tulips are a favorite Between Old Riga and the rest of the city, a canal runs through a beautiful park. We were told that the canal is actually where the old moat surrounded the walled city. It's lovely to stroll along the canal through the beautiful park. It's one of our favorite walks. Bastion Hill across the canal The park is dotted with statues and fountains. Fountain  Statue of historian We are looking forward to seeing what summer flowers will be added to the collection when they open up. By then we'll be able to go for a walk at 10:00 at ni

  "The Three Brothers" When these three building were built centuries ago, I'm sure the builders never dreamed that today they would still be preserved and famous.  These are the oldest residences in Riga. They were actually built in different centuries, but now are a tourist attraction all standing together. All walking tours of Riga pass these three buildings, now known as "Three Brothers."  Portal seat The oldest building is on the right, built in 1490. It was built for manufacturing and trade. The entire first floor is one large room where work, trade, and everyday life took place. The upstairs was originally built for storage area. The outside facade is from the Gothic area with crow-stepped gables. It has looked the same for over five hundred years. A portal seat was built by the front door for visitors or passers-by to rest.  Date of 1646 is visible The middle building was built in 1646 as you can see plainly in red numbers. The architecture is quite diff

Outside original city gate  Ancient history shows itself around Old Town Riga in special ways. The ancient wall of the city makes up a portion of the St. John's Courtyard. This courtyard is located on the area of the original Bishop's castle when Riga was originally built in the 12th Century.  How old is this archway? St. John's Lutheran Church was originally the Bishop's chapel for the castle, so it is adjacent to the courtyard. I pass through this courtyard often on my way to the mall that I visit.  Approach to courtyard The Courtyard is accessed by walking down the alley past St. John's Church door and under an ancient archway. St. John's door is on the right side of the alley in the picture on the right.  A person doesn't even think of the history surrounding you when you live in a place where it's just the neighborhood.  I do often wonder what the building above the archway is. Do people live above the archway? How long has that part of the structur

Orthodox Cathedral - Riga  The golden domes of the Nativity of Christ Cathedral stand out above the trees near Old Town Riga. We walk past this large building in the park not far from our apartment.  The domes shine out to the citizens on sunny days. Surrounded by the trees in the park, the walls of the cathedral are not easy to see in summer, but the size is undeniable. Of course, the golden domes tell everyone that this is a Russian Orthodox Church. After living in St. Petersburg, that is easy for us to define with the Russian style architecture. This cathedral was built between 1876 and 1883 when Latvia was a part of the Russian Empire under the reign of Tsar Alexander II.  Main Door This is the largest Orthodox Church in the entire Baltic area. A massive tower rises toward the sky when a visitor approaches the front door.  Entryway painting I visited several orthodox churches during my years in Europe. The thing that they have in common is that the interiors are covered with images

  Archway for Convent Courtyard The walk to our most-visited grocery store takes us through the streets of Old Riga. When we first moved here more than a year ago, we always strolled on the the cobble-stoned streets to get there. Then we found a shortcut through the middle of a block. Spotting an arch that was labeled "Konventa Seta," we decided to enter and see where it led. After walking through the archway, we walked into ancient history.  Upon doing some research, I found out that this Convent Courtyard was originally built in the 13th Century as a courtyard to the Order of the Sword's Castle. It has been reconstructed many times since then, but the original walls were built in the 1240s. It was a courtyard that connected St. George's Church with the rest of the original castle.  St. George's Chapel St. George's Church today is the Museum of Decorative Arts and Designs. The outside walls are all that remains of the chapel used by the Knights of the Brother