Red, Yellow, Gold - Must See in Latvia.

Your friend in Riga has been silent for some time. It doesn't mean that there was nothing happening in Riga. First and the most important things - Golden Autumn is here with all it's colors and cold. And yesterday finally even my house got central heating on. If we talk about enjoying colors of autumn I can not keep this secret - there is a must-visit place in Latvia to enjoy this season - and this place is called Sigulda.

53 kms away from Riga is "outdoor activity capital of Latvia and home to a Olympic standard bobsleigh track". As soon as people see first yellow/red/orange leaves on trees they are hedding to Sigulda. If you check the map, you will see that we have no mountains here and our highest point in the country is so "high" that I'm even afraid to mention it here, but it's located in Sigulda: the main reason for going to Sigulda is it's picturesque landscpes. Every step there can become a picture: medieval castles, river Gauja, nature paths, caves and hills - this place has inspired a lot of painters and makes you to take marvelous photos.

Why Sigulda is in my heart? Actually not because of autumn, but spring: I stayed a night at the river Gauja some years ago first days of June. And the early morning: was amazing: first sunlight,  fog, birds flying low over the water, roes on the other side of the river and these landscapes... It felt like in a fairytale. These really are fairytale views. And autumn makes this all to shine in gold.

This video will let you to see pictures of autumn in different places in Latvia: Riga, Sigulda and more. Song by Latvian band "Brainstorm", language  - Latvian.

 Start your trip here with 360 degrees virtual tours in Sigulda

Previously on blog about Sigulda: The Dream of Flying

The Town Hall Square: Blackheads House & The Museum of The Occupation

The Town Hall square and Blackheads House you will eventually find on your walk through The Old Town. And you don’t want to miss it because that’s what you see on postcards from Riga. You need to make your own picture at this place.

With stalls, workshops and various feasts The Town Hall Square used to be the centre of public life during The Middle Ages. Historians consider that initially it was a market place, but after expansion of the city in 1211 the Town Hall square was formed here. Punishments were executed and pageants used to be arranged here as well. During World War II the luxurious development of Town Hall Square was completely destroyed. Thanks to grand reconstruction works in this century the main buildings - the Town Hall and Blackheads House - have been restored. In the centre of the square you can see a figure of Roland which is a symbol of judicial power, freedom and independence of many European cities.

The Blackheads House built in 1344, is a stunning example of gothic architecture. The original house was the headquarters of unmarried local merchants, known as the Blackheads.

In this square you will aslo find The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia housed in a black communist-era building - .detailing events of Latvia's recent history, from the World War II occupations to the events of independence in 1991, the museum is definitely worth a visit, in order to gain a clearer understanding of Latvia. Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:00-17:00 (Jan – Apr and Oct - Dec); Tue-Sun 11:00 – 18:00 (May – Sep) Admission: Free

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The Old Town - Heart of Riga

Last Saturday I took the camera and went for a walk at the Old Town. I'm not a professional photographer, but I hope at least some little part of the atmosphere here you will see. 

It’s in the heart of Riga near the river called Daugava. The official year of foundation of Riga is 1201, the beginnings of the city was build by German bishop Albert. Small streets will lead you to gothic churches, medieval buildings – it really has some special aura. At the same time it’s also the centre of sparkling nightlife which usually gets it’s highlights starting form Wednesday’s evening and getting again more peacefull just on Sunday mornings. This part of Riga never sleeps. 

During the day time you will find here great variety of shopping opportunities from expensive chich to street markets with souvniers, hand-made crafts and paintings etc, museums and art galleries. At summers The Old Town gets filled with all kinds of open-air cafes and beer gardens, street performances, live music and celebrations. And when the night comes over The Old Town it’s streets are filled with cheerfull people for active night life: bars, pubs, clubs for taste of everyone. 

For visitors of Riga you will find here variety of hostels and 5 star hotels. Different guides/exursions on summer you can get here right on the street – no need to book your excursions before coming if you don’t have any specific interests. This place is more than enjoyable not only to Rigans, but also visitors of the city. Even for me – when I get there inside, it’s hard to leave.