Riga

Riga was founded at the mouth of the Daugava River in 1201 by Bishop Albert von Bughevdenom, during the expansion of the Teutonic Order in the north-east. In an effort to strengthen the conquered territories, a few years later the Knights built a fortified castle, Cathedral and the port. By 1257 Riga had already become the seat of the bishop of Livonia (the Baltic branch of the Teutonic Knights of the Order). In 1282 Riga joined the Hanseatic League, which contributed to the development of trade in the Baltic countries and fast growth of the city.

The beginning of the XVI century brought to the city on the Daugava river a spirit of reformation - many people willingly accepted the Lutheran faith. The Livonian War in 1558-1583 led to the partition of the lands of the Livonian Order: Riga got Rzeczpospolita (Poland). But in 1621, Sweden conquered the strategically important city. Being skilled in military engineering, the Swedes then built the bastion fortress, around the (at the time) modern Riga. In the Northern War, between Sweden and Russia in 1710, the siege of this fortress lasted for 3 months.

Riga officially became a part of Russian Empire in 1721. By order of Peter I, who personally oversaw the construction of fortifications in the Baltic Sea, the city's defensive fortifications were stepped up. These measures helped General MacDonald in 1812 to withstand a 4-month siege by Napoleon's army. In the middle of the XIXth century, the border of the Russian Empire moved far to the west - there was no longer a need to strengthen Riga, and so in 1858 the ramparts and bastions were razed, and replaced by the broken city park. Since this time there has been a rapid growth in industry, marked by the construction of the railway, seaport, mills and shipyards.

After World War I in 1918, Riga became the capital of Latvia when it gained independence. Two decades of freedom followed, then in 1939 the ancient German city was again annexed by the Soviet Union. The Second World War brought with it much destruction and fires. Subsequent years of the Soviet authorities turned Riga (at the expense of cultural and historical sites) in the major industrial centre.

Currently Riga is the capital of the newly independent Republic of Latvia (1991). Since 1997, the Old Town of Riga has been on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Now Riga is the biggest and most beautiful city in Latvia. Tens of thousands of tourists come here every year, to see the beautiful sights.

18-11-2011 :: Opening of the Riga Stock Exchange Museum

The Museum of Foreign Art was opened at the heart of Old Riga. Designed as an exquisite palace, the museum incorporates many works of art from the collections of Latvia.

news archive 2011 

gallery of beautiful places

отели