The Old Town of Riga, also known as «Vecriga», is a small quarter where there`s almost no motor traffic and narrow streets paved with cobble-stones create the atmosphere of a medieval town. It is just there that all sights of Riga are located.
Riga was founded in 1201 by the Bremen bishop Albert von Buxhoeveden. The first buildings of Riga appeared in the mouth of the Ridzene river. The town played a very important role in the trade relationships of the Baltic Region, and now on the site where the town was laid down there`s located the area of medieval warehouses and granaries, from which the rapid development of Riga began.
You should start a tour of the Old Town of Riga from the Town Hall Square where the House of the Blackheads is located. A very picturesque Flower Street is behind the Town Hall building. There are many restaurants there and the street itself was more than once the site for shooting the famous Soviet films, such as «Seventeen moments of spring» and «Sherlock Holmes». Flower Street lead out on the Dome Square.
It is just there that the main sight, the landmark of city – the Dome (Riga) Cathedral – is located. You must see the interior of the cathedral, but you`d better get a ticket to a concert of classical music to listen to the famous organ of the Dome Cathedral. On the pavement of the Dome Square you can see the outlines of destroyed buildings, which show how densely the Old Town of Riga was once built up.
From the Dome Cathedral and through the Three Brothers buildings you should go to the Riga Castle. There you can visit the museum or just have a walk on the embankment of the Daugava river. And from the Riga Castle you can follow the narrow medieval streets towards the Jacob`s Barracks, where there remained the Riga City Walls, old towers and houses built close to the city walls.
From the Jacob`s Barracks you should go towards the Livu Square and have a respite at one of the numerous restaurants. Near the square St. Peter`s Church is located, with its tall spire being the city dominant. You should ascend the viewing platform of St. Peter`s Church. From there you can have an exceptionally beautiful view of the Old Town of Riga and all its sights.
