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Latvia
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Riga
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Tours & Activities
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Old Town and Art Nouveau Walking Tour of Riga
3 h
By walk
About this activity
Old town
Riga is a city of good coffee, jazz, full of small delicious pastries and stylish cafes. You may not be able to get enough of Old Town’s architecture, which is quite legendary. You will walk past the splendid House of Blackheads located next to the Town Hall Square, and past the walls of fortresses and towers go into St. Peter’s Church and the Dome Cathedral. Then you will continue walking to the famous clock “LAIMA” and through a lovely opera park, you will head to the magnificent Riga Opera House.
Art Nouveau
In order to preserve Old Riga, Riga’s wooden buildings and the art nouveau architecture, the historical centre of Riga has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Art nouveau (also known as Jugendstil in Germany, art nouveau in France, modernismo in Spain, Sezessionsstil in Austria, Stile Liberty or Stile Floreale in Italy) emerged in Europe at the turn of the twentieth century and continued its march of victory up until World War I.
It is an ornamental style based on curved lines, asymmetrical composition and rhythms of irregular contours. Its main motifs are nature, references to antiquity and mythology. Architecturally, art nouveau is characterised by the functional structure and a richly decorated façade, achieved by deploying all the possible means of expression in building, from the shape of window and door openings, bay windows, to reliefs, sculptures, ornamental lines or areas and stained glass. However, the main building facade is not the only essential element in Art Nouveau, but rather its overall image, therefore, “art nouveau architecture” also refers to interior design, the shape of tableware and even the inhabitants’ wardrobe.
Highlights:
1.Old City Riga (Vecriga)
2.Alberta Iela
3.Art Nouveau Museum (Tickets are not included in price)
4.Latvian National Opera
5.Riga Town Hall Square
6.House of Blackheads
7.St. Mary's Dome Cathedral
8.Jauniela
9.St. Peter's Church
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Riga is a city of good coffee, jazz, full of small delicious pastries and stylish cafes. You may not be able to get enough of Old Town’s architecture, which is quite legendary. You will walk past the splendid House of Blackheads located next to the Town Hall Square, and past the walls of fortresses and towers go into St. Peter’s Church and the Dome Cathedral. Then you will continue walking to the famous clock “LAIMA” and through a lovely opera park, you will head to the magnificent Riga Opera House.
Art Nouveau
In order to preserve Old Riga, Riga’s wooden buildings and the art nouveau architecture, the historical centre of Riga has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Art nouveau (also known as Jugendstil in Germany, art nouveau in France, modernismo in Spain, Sezessionsstil in Austria, Stile Liberty or Stile Floreale in Italy) emerged in Europe at the turn of the twentieth century and continued its march of victory up until World War I.
It is an ornamental style based on curved lines, asymmetrical composition and rhythms of irregular contours. Its main motifs are nature, references to antiquity and mythology. Architecturally, art nouveau is characterised by the functional structure and a richly decorated façade, achieved by deploying all the possible means of expression in building, from the shape of window and door openings, bay windows, to reliefs, sculptures, ornamental lines or areas and stained glass. However, the main building facade is not the only essential element in Art Nouveau, but rather its overall image, therefore, “art nouveau architecture” also refers to interior design, the shape of tableware and even the inhabitants’ wardrobe.
Highlights:
1.Old City Riga (Vecriga)
2.Alberta Iela
3.Art Nouveau Museum (Tickets are not included in price)
4.Latvian National Opera
5.Riga Town Hall Square
6.House of Blackheads
7.St. Mary's Dome Cathedral
8.Jauniela
9.St. Peter's Church
Not included
- Tickets to the Art Nouveau museum is not included
Additional
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- A minimum of 2 people per booking
Features
Tourism
90%
Cultural
80%
Sport
25%
Reviews
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Wonderfully balanced tour. Enjoyed time on our own as it town is wonderful with everything so close and easy.
A very comprehensive tour which really acquainted ourselves with the city - the art nouveau was great, especially having Maria there to help unlock the architectural codes within the facades.
Our Guide was very knowledgeable and we saw everything we wanted to see with plenty of background history to put the sights in context. Also, got a real flavor for what life is like in Latvia today and where the country is headed in the future. Riga is a beautiful city with lots of history and a bustling vibe. would recommend to my friends.
I am the only one in the tour and of course was well taken care of. Maria - my tour guide - is a lovely lady. Not only did she show me every part of the town, but also many small corners and alleys that are usually passed by by other tour. She also knows a lot about architecture!