Where to stay in Riga |
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![]() The largest city in the Baltic states, Riga sits on the Baltic Sea coast, on the mouth of the River Daugava. Capital of Latvia, this 800-year-old city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, particularly famed for its Art Nouveau architecture. Situated in a prime position between east and west Europe, Riga is a major cultural, political, and commercial centre. The city grew as a trading centre, its costal position making it an excellent location for a port. Early on, German missionaries saw the potential of the settlement and it soon became a See. Bishop Albert was pronounced Bishop Livonia by his uncle Hartwig, the Archbishop of Bremen and Hamburg, in 1199. Thirty years later Livonia, which was the area of land inhabited by the Livs, was fully converted to Christianity. It became Protestant under the Lutheran movement in the sixteenth century and most Latvians are now Lutheran in religious adherence, although the large numbers of Russian migrants make the Russian Orthodox church a powerful force here too. In a perfect position for invasion and with a port that gave an easy excuse for imperialism, Latvia did not declare independence until after the first World War in1918, when Riga was declared its capital after 700 years of foreign rule. The worst was not over, however. During the second world war, Latvia lost a third of its population and was occupied by Hitler's Germany for three years. Since then, things have been on the up until Riga's modern landmark, the Radio and TV Tower, was built in 1986. Independence was declared by the country once again in 1991, following which is joined the United Nations. It is now also a member of NATO and the European Union. Riga is now cosmopolitan in demographic, particularly when compared to the rest of Latvia, with a population of 731,762. With a history this rich, it is not surprising that Riga is a popular destination with tourists. Travel has become easier and cheaper over the last decade and holidaymakers seeking new places have been quick to spot Riga's many gems. Riga is host to a large number of science conferences and international exhibitions every year, marking out a reputation for itself as a centre for education and science. Don't miss the Swedish gate in the wall of the Old City, the only original gate to have survived, or the Dome Cathedral, which was begun by Bishop Albert back in 1211 and now hosts regular organ concerts. As well as an extensive range of shopping and restaurants, there are plenty of unusual things to do in this vibrant city, including bungee jumping from a cable car, trying out an Olympic Bobsleigh, or going skydiving without ever leaving the ground in the Aerodium's flight simulator.
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