Back

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.

Photo Gallery
View All (29)
Old Riga as viewed from the bell tower of St. Peter`s Church
Albert Square is the place where Riga was founded in 12 century
All squares and most streets of the Old Riga are occupied by open-air cafés
Streets of the Old Riga are paved with historic cobblestones and motor traffic is restricted there
Sunset over the square in front of St. Peter`s Church
Typical street of the Old Riga
Typical street of the Old Riga
In the Middle Ages on this street there was a moat filled with water surrounding the fortified walls of Riga 
St. John`s Church neighbouring upon St. Peter`s Church 
Musicians of Bremen Monument on the square in front of St. Peter`s Church, a gift of the city of Bremen
Street near the well-known Riga restaurant Rozengrals built in the medieval style
Carts and pennants of troubadours – attrributes of the Middle Ages at the restaurant Rozengrals
Atmosphere of the Middle Ages was reconstructed in the restaurant Rozengrals
Building of the Latvian Parliament in the center of Riga
Chancel of St. John`s Church in Riga
Central nave of St. John`s Church in Riga
Vaults of St. Jacob`s Church in Riga
Inside view of Mary Magdalene Church in Riga
Houses of the Old Riga
Authentic corner of the Old Riga putting tourists in good spirits
Typical street of the Old Riga
The main shop-café of the well-known brand – Rigas Melnais Balsams
Inside view of the shop-café of the well-known brand – Rigas Melnais Balsams
Albert Square is the place where Riga was founded in 12 century
Tower with the original masonry of 13 century – the most ancient ruins of Riga city wall
Road and railway bridges over the Daugava connecting the Old Riga to the opposite bank
View on the quarters of the Old Riga from St. Peter`s Church
Market buildings near the Old Riga
Streets of the Old Riga