Top Rated Attractions in Riga

Built from 1876 to 1883, the Nativity Cathedral at Riga is a religious site established while Latvia was still a part of the Russian Empire. It was designed in a Neo-Byzantine style by the architect Nikolai Chagin. Constructed with the blessings of Tsar Alexander II, this is one of the greatest Orthodox Cathedrals in all of the Baltic provinces. Known for the beautiful icons, some of which were illustrated by Vasili Vereshchagin, the cathedral was temporarily converted into a planetarium in the 1960s. The structure started to function as a cathedral again after the 1990s following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The House of Blackheads is a distinctive Gothic treasure of Riga and is an excellent locus of history and culture. Consisting of two glorious triangular edifices, House of the Blackheads dominates its picturesque surroundings with grace. Its rusty red facade featuring colorful stained glass windows and intricate carvings makes it one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city. It was constructed in 1334 for the Blackheads, an organization of unmarried foreign merchants. The name of the brotherhood comes from Saint. Mauritius, a legendary African moor whom they chose to be their patron. Due to the high social position of the Brotherhood, the building became the center of all sorts of cultural events during the era. Although destroyed during World war II, it was restored to its former glory in 1999 and also houses a concert and a museum today. The house lovingly harbors an array of lavishly furnished rooms that are decorated with crystal chandeliers, antique furniture and arms and weapons. To step into House of the Blackheads is to be caught in a beautiful whirlwind which takes you back in time. It is an arresting sight when lights up during the night.

Soaring high and proud over the Daugava River, Riga Cathedral is one of the most emblematic masterpieces of the city’s Old Town. With its foundation stone having been laid in 1211, the cathedral was built under the orders of bishop Albert of Riga. Regarded as one of the largest of its kind in the whole of Baltic, the cathedral is entrenched in a design philosophy that is quintessentially medieval. Enormous and eclectic, the visage of the cathedral bears a profuse amalgam of various architectural styles including Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque, with fine undertones of Art Nouveau. Having largely framed the cultural and architectural landscape of the country, the cathedral harbors an interior which is the very embodiment of ancient grandeur which lingers over vibrant stained glass windows, gilded chandeliers, an intricately-carved pulpit and an ornate organ, which is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Home to an array of concerts, festivities and cultural events, the cathedral is a communal and architectural landmark par excellence.

The Saint Peter's Cathedral, since its construction in 1209, has been one of the oldest and most precious architectural monuments of the Latvian capital. This beautiful church was added to the UNESCO world heritage list in 1997. The church's 122 meter (400 feet)-high tower, that has undergone several transformations, is the place's most conspicuous feature that offers panoramic views of the city. Its Romanesque style and Gothic nuances of the facade further add to its allure and kindle one's curiosity about what lies within. The cathedral's interior is home to the Blue Guard Chapel, however, its timber-clad altar is the masterpiece that leaves visitors spellbound. Completed with exposed-brick walls and a grand candle holder, Saint Peter's Cathedral truly awes one with its peaceful aura and archaic charm.