Latvia, Europe (Point of interest)

Riga Cathedral's red brick walls and black steeple dominate Old Town's central square. Built in 1211, it's famous for its size, stained glass and pipe organ, which was once the world's largest. Its Romanesque cloister is also worth a look. The chu... Continue reading →

The Riga Motor Museum is Mežciems' claim to fame. The largest antique car museum in the Baltics boasts Stalin's ZIS 115 limousine, a Rolls Royce from the Kremlin's collection and a Lincoln Continental given to Brezhnev by Richard Nixon. American ... Continue reading →

Nearly every building on Alberta iela in New Town is an Art Nouveau masterpiece including No 2 where philosopher Sir Isaiah Berlin was born. Enter No 12 to view a six-story winding staircase decorated in this extravagant style.... Continue reading →

Located on the Bergi lakeshore, the Ethnographic Open Air Museum offers a glimpse of Latvian life between the 16th and 19th centuries. Dozens of original wooden homes, churches, taverns and farm buildings have been reassembled to be preserved for p... Continue reading →

The tower of the Soviet Victory Monument on the Left Bank and its gold stars can be seen from across the river. Statues of Mother Russia and Communist soldiers surround this controversial symbol, hated by Latvians and revered by Russians.... Continue reading →

Erected in 1209, the Old Town's tallest structure was badly damaged in World War II. However, St Peter's famous copper spire was rebuilt and now serves as an observation deck for anyone willing to pay for the lift ride.... Continue reading →

Riga is home to one of the world's largest and best-preserved collections of Art Nouveau buildings. Along with Alberta Street and Elizabetes Street, Strelnieku Street is the place to stroll among some glorious examples of this decorative architectu... Continue reading →