One of the main reasons why the flow of tourists every year visits a country such as Latvia - attractions. It is very important that the influx of people in winter or summer is not so great as in other European countries, so you can safely wander through the streets of cities, not hurrying to explore the ruins of medieval castles.
Famous Architectural Monuments
Places of interest in Latvia filled the entire territory of a small state. There are many architectural monuments that have been preserved to this day and turned into museums. The most famous of them are:
- The famous Riga Castle is the modern residence of the President of the country, it is located on the banks of the Daugava River . The building survived more than one war time, was quietly rebuilt, and even managed to visit the prison for high-ranking nobles. The castle managed to survive the strongest fire of 2013. It is considered one of the significant monuments of Latvian history and is of value both historically and culturally.
- The House of the Blackheads is another unique landmark of Riga, which is an architectural monument of the first half of the 14th century. It was built to hold meetings of various public organizations. At first, the house was owned by foreign merchants, whose symbol was the head of a black hawk. They were nicknamed "Brotherhood of Blackheads", where the name of the house came from. The original appearance of the house was badly damaged during the Second World War, the former beauty was returned to him in the late 90's. Here, solemn receptions are held in honor of foreign delegations.
- An interesting story is connected with another house in Riga - Koshkin . It was built by a merchant who was not allowed into the building of the Guild. In retaliation, the man installed the cats on the roof, turning them back to the Guild, for which he received the strictest reprimand, and the cats were turned to the proper side ever since.
- The Church of St. Peter , which was first mentioned in 1209. It symbolizes the architecture of medieval Riga . At that time, the church was considered to be the tallest wooden building in Europe, and for a long time it remained so in Riga, the height of the temple is 123.25 m. The tower has several levels, on the lower (57 m) and upper (71 m) viewing platforms. Once there, you can enjoy a magnificent view that opens to the Old Town and the River Daugava. You can climb to the top observation deck not only on foot, but also with the help of an elevator. If you go to church on Sunday, you can go to the divine service. On the spire of the tower is a figure of a cock, which is considered a symbol of protection from evil spirits.
- Dome Cathedral . Among the famous monuments is the Dome Cathedral , founded in 1211 by Bishop Albrecht von Buksgewden. Interestingly, the bishop personally controlled the construction, inviting only the best masters, so the cathedral took its final shape only in the second half of the 13th century.
On the territory of the cathedral there is a museum of the history of Riga and navigation, which is the oldest museum in the country. The main attraction of Latvia in this cathedral is the organ established in the period from 1883 to 1824, which impresses not only with surprising sound, but also with dimensions. You can get to the Dome Cathedral any day, as it is open from 9.00 to 18.00. The operating mode can vary depending on the season and day of the week. Here, concerts are held, tickets for which are bought in advance. You can hire a guide who will tell you in detail about the exhibits and the history of the cathedral.
Attractions in the cities of Latvia
Latvia, whose attractions attract many tourists, is also famous for the city of Daugavpils . It is the second largest city in the country after the capital, built in the Latgalian Baroque style. The atmosphere and charm of Daugavpils was strongly influenced by the fact that he for a long time passed from one power to another. First it belonged to the Knights of the Livonian Order, then to the Swedes, then to the Russians. Such a change of owners could not but leave traces in the architecture of the city.
The most important attraction is the fortress of the city. But you should also visit such objects as the House of Unity , the church ensemble Jaunbuve. Residents of the city are rightfully proud and show tourists the Ice Palace and the largest outdoor swimming pool among the Baltic countries. You can get to the city from Riga by bus. Travelers arrive here and by train from the nearest countries.
Jurmala is regarded not only as a resort city, but also a place where a unique castle is built in the style of neo-Gothic. This is the villa complex of Kristaps and Augusta Morberg, a well-known Latvian entrepreneur and his wife. This building stands out against the background of other houses in Jurmala . Currently, the castle hosts luxurious weddings and excursions.
Natural attractions
The above castles and palaces are not the only places of interest in Latvia, there are interesting places in Latvia outside of cities. Latvia is known as a very green country with a unique nature. Maximum pleasure can be obtained if you book a tour with a guide to the natural places of the country. They are compactly placed all over its territory, making the journey not tedious.
The most memorable natural objects include the following:
- The widest waterfall on the Venta River , similar to which is not found in all of Europe. Its average width is 100 m, and during the melting of snows it reaches 280 m in width. To get to the waterfall, you must first get to the city of Kuldiga by bus from Riga. Then you should go to the central part of the city, where to go down to the waterfall, following the signs;
- the park Dzintari , as well as the oldest park in Latvia - Vermansky , are waiting for lovers of nature;
- Gauja National Park - covers an area of 90 hectares, which contains about 900 plant species, 150 bird species, 48 mammal species, several lakes and rivers;
- National Park Kemeri - on the territory of 38 hectares you can still see untouched by human hand forests, marshes and lakes, here are laid special nature trails;
- The National Park of Slītere - for tourists here are equipped with nature trails, on which you can make a trip on foot or by bike. In the park you can get acquainted with such interesting objects as the Sliterskiy lighthouse - one of the oldest in Latvia, visit fishing villages;
- Bauska Nature Park - through it are laid scenic trails that lead to the famous Bauska castle and the luxurious Rundāle Palace .
Latvia - sights in winter
Tourists come to Latvia not only in warm weather, but also when snow falls. At this time, the most suitable city for travel is Sigulda , there are entertainment for every taste. In Mezaparks, which is located near the center of Riga , the largest ice rink is being built. For lovers of skiing, a variety of ski resorts can be chosen , among which the most famous are: Bailey , Kakisu Trase , Reina Trase , Milzkalns , Zagarkalns , Ozolkalns . In winter they also come to Latvia to watch the ice sculpture festival.