Whatagain in Riga

[whatagain]

I went to Riga several years ago in winter.
It is much more intelligent to go in summer.

Riga is a very old city, which was part of Livony (now disappeared), then Poland, Sweden, Germany, and unfortunately for them Soviet Union.

Riga was part of the Hanseatic league, a very rich guild that linked a lot of cities, mostly trading around Baltic sea.

The city was destroyed at 40 pc in 41 but has been rebuilt,mostly with taste.

Whatagain went there, essentially to tell Anyporters of how beautiful it is.

[whatagain]

The house of the black heads.
Guild member wore a black hat, hence the name, and this was their house. Mostly rebuilt. 

Close to our hotel, a very old house, built by a successful merchant. Peter the Great has been to this house, now in the hands of the government, which has no money to repair it  

A little bith further up, this house has been repaired.

This house is a restaurant, called au bon vivant, mimicking a belgian brasserie, with our flag and good beer.
The food was surprisingly nit only good but excellent. 
I love Miss Whatagain's smile. 

Close to the cathedral, another beautiful house, among so many.

The sculpture is inspired by a Grim fable. It brings luck to touch the noses of the animals. 
Whatagain's belly has rately been so huge... 

This is the cathedral, baroque style but sober. The guys who built it were Lutherians...
We went inside and went up to just above the clock. 

This house has been rebuilt, but with modern architecture, and i like it.

[kerouac2]

Interestingly different architecture and yet something about it still says "Europe." Maybe not the church, which is a bit weird.

[whatagain]

Images from the top of the cathedral.
Riga is small, very small.

The historical center is preserved, and more modern buildings can be built accross the river, so that they are close, but not mixed with old ones.

[whatagain]

Pictures of buildings... Riga is one of these cities where you don't know whete to look  as beauty is everywhere.




There is art nouveau everywhere, albeit not the same as in Belgian or France. 





This house is an example of german art nouveau. 

This street is the Baker street. One - or more movies - of Sherlock Holmes were shot in former Soviet union and this is his house. 



The cats disappeared for some decades due to disrepair of the house and were asked back by locals.
The story being that this house faces the house of a guild. The owner was displeased with the guild and did his business outside and against it.
When he turned successful he built this lavish house in one year and added the cats, the message being that the cats could shit where it pleased them. On the steps of the house of the guild. 

[whatagain]

I visited my first synagogue ever. 

Soviet era monument to the Latvian soldiers. 
The ugly building behind that reminds me of some ugly ones in my child town used to be the school of architecture. 
Built in soviet times.
The university now moved accross the river.


Local alcohol called Balsam.
Some say it looks like tar, tastes like tar.
It is in the same category as the Jaegermeister.
Not bad. 
Not good either, to be honest. 

[bixaorellana]

This is great, Whatagain, and this anyporter certainly appreciates your going there to show how beautiful it is.

I have to say that some aspects of the architecture remind me somewhat of Belgium, especially that excellent rebuilt house. It's always fascinating to see a successful modern architectural take on local architecture, that refers to it without copying. The view from the church tower is wonderful, although it's surprising how uncrowded Riga is, especially looking down on the old part of the city. And speaking of which, the streets seem almost empty of people.

That is Mrs. Whatagain??! I thought it was one of your daughters! She is quite beautiful, as befits the wife of the handsome Mr. Whatagain, even though Mr. W looks as though he is waiting to have his nose rubbed as well in that picture.

So much art nouveau, and it seems to be a particular Latvian kind.

Love the spiteful pooping cat & the liqueur is something I would try.

More?

[bjd]

Thank you for these pictures, Whatagain. I was in Riga with my daughter in 2002, so no digital camera and my photographs are all on paper. I really liked Riga best of the three Baltic capitals. As you say, everywhere you look there is beauty. It looked less fancy and touristy then too -- fewer fancy restaurants.

The main architect of the small art nouveau district was Soviet film director Sergei Eisenstein's father.

[whatagain]

Yes bixa, it is indeed miss Whatagain, nr 2.
She is beautiful because she looks like her mother.

Bjd, these former eastern cities develop so fast, it is fantastic to be able to see them on several occasions. They get money from Europe, from tourism and because their inhabitants are hardworking and want to get them beautiful again.

[bixaorellana]

Jul 10, 2021 9:16:41 GMT whatagain said:

it is indeed miss Whatagain

I see you went back & edited that post to avoid confusion!

[lugg]

Enjoyed reading about your trip Whatagain and seeing your photos. I would like to visit one day.

How many times did you rub the donkeys nose Whatagain - apparently 4 times is best

[kerouac2]

Although Riga looks lovely, for some reason I am attracted to Tallinn. Have you been there?

[bjd]

Jul 10, 2021 18:18:52 GMT kerouac2 said:

Although Riga looss lovely, for some reason I am attracted to Tallinn. Have you been there?

.

I can answer that -- yes, I went to all 3 of the Baltic capitals on the same trip in 2002. Tallinn was the most westernized, with the most Western tourists, hence the most expensive and probably the easiest for foreign tourists. My favourite of the three was Riga, my daughter liked Vilnius best.

[questa]

The architecture reminds me of St Petersburg on a smaller scale...the lovely decorated buildings and random statues. I foresee troubles for the re-built building...That is a nasty looking crack opening up. Surely no-one would run a power cable like that? Being near a river and water levels rising...uh oh! Pity because it has a good look to it.

The Soviet statue is like every other in the former USSR. Big, aggressive and bragging. This one has an smoothness and
looks more human than others of that ilk.

(Aside)Whatagain, I am astounded! For some reason (probably your avatar) I pictured you with dark hair and moustache.
I am re-arranging my mental picture and you look better with fair colouring.

[whatagain]

So Questa do i look more lovely in reality than in your imagination ? 😁😁😁

[questa]

Yes Whatagain, you look like the sort of person that people would go to for help. Solid and dependable, and kind with a good sense of humour. Your avatar made me think of you as a wily little mischief maker...like a con man type.

Isn't it weird how our impressions are formed from something as simple as a cartoon.

[fumobici]

Riga looks quite lovely. I doubt I'll ever be sent there for a plane change, which is my usual roulette way of choosing where I visit, so it looks like if I want to visit I'll have to take measures myself.

[lagatta]

My main knowledge of Riga, other than the impressive architecture, relates to fishy jarred and tinned foods, including the famous Riga sprats.

[mich64]

This was great Whatagain! I really enjoyed your photos and have had interest in visiting the Baltic capitals. Really nice to see photos of you and your daughter and agreed with Questa, I pictured your hair being dark, funny how those avatars become an impression.