Brivibas Piemineklis (Freedom Monument), Riga (must see)
The Freedom Monument commemorates the soldiers who fell during the Latvian War of Independence of 1918-1920. Built in 1935 to a design by R. Mirsmeden, the monument presents Latvia's national values. It stands as the symbol of two battles fought by the country for its independence and is a ground zero for the majority of political demonstrations held in Riga nowadays.
Surprisingly enough, the monument has survived almost 50 years of the Soviet rule, in part due to its high artistic value. On 14 June 1987, about 5,000 people gathered at the monument to lay flowers. This rally renewed the national independence movement, which culminated three years later in the re-establishment of Latvian sovereignty after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
The structure consists of three major blocks decorated by 14 statuary groups. The base block features Latvian riflemen and singers. The block above depicts scholars, people of work, Guardians of the Fatherland and the Family. The central element of the monument, topping a 19 meter (62 feet) column, is the bronze statue of a woman holding up three golden stars above her head, symbolizing three Latvian regions: Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale.
With a total height of 42 meters, the Freedom Monument is visible from almost every corner of Old Riga, and acts as a sort of navigation aid for tourists en route to different locations.
Surprisingly enough, the monument has survived almost 50 years of the Soviet rule, in part due to its high artistic value. On 14 June 1987, about 5,000 people gathered at the monument to lay flowers. This rally renewed the national independence movement, which culminated three years later in the re-establishment of Latvian sovereignty after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
The structure consists of three major blocks decorated by 14 statuary groups. The base block features Latvian riflemen and singers. The block above depicts scholars, people of work, Guardians of the Fatherland and the Family. The central element of the monument, topping a 19 meter (62 feet) column, is the bronze statue of a woman holding up three golden stars above her head, symbolizing three Latvian regions: Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale.
With a total height of 42 meters, the Freedom Monument is visible from almost every corner of Old Riga, and acts as a sort of navigation aid for tourists en route to different locations.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Riga. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Brivibas Piemineklis (Freedom Monument) on Map
Sight Name: Brivibas Piemineklis (Freedom Monument)
Sight Location: Riga, Latvia (See walking tours in Riga)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Riga, Latvia (See walking tours in Riga)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Riga, Latvia
Create Your Own Walk in Riga
Creating your own self-guided walk in Riga is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Churches and Cathedrals
One great thing about Riga is that the majority of its religious sites are concentrated in the historic center. A variety of faiths found in the Latvian capital is fairly broad for such a small country and includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran, to mention but a few.
The 13th-century Riga Cathedral is perhaps the most significant house of prayer in the city. The imposing mix of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The 13th-century Riga Cathedral is perhaps the most significant house of prayer in the city. The imposing mix of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Riga Old Town Walking Tour
The area that is home to present-day Riga has hosted inhabitants since the days of the Vikings. With a sheltered natural harbor nearby, the River Daugava made Riga a stop on the Vikings' Dvina-Dnieper trade route to Byzantium.
Trade allowed the area to flourish, and the Livs, a Finnic tribe, settled it. In the early Middle Ages, the town's economy revolved around fishing, trading, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Trade allowed the area to flourish, and the Livs, a Finnic tribe, settled it. In the early Middle Ages, the town's economy revolved around fishing, trading, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Art Nouveau Architecture Walk
An architecture lover in general and that of Art Nouveau in particular will find plenty to look at in the quiet center of Riga. J奴gendstil (Latvian: Art Nouveau) architecture makes up roughly one third of all buildings in the heart of Latvia's capital. In fact, the city boasts the highest concentration of Art Nouveau structures anywhere in the world.
Constructed during a period of rapid... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Constructed during a period of rapid... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Traveler's Choice of 12 Uniquely Latvian Souvenirs from Riga
Reemerged after regaining independence in the early 1990s, Latvia is anxious to reveal its beauty to the outside world. The country's capital Riga is a good showroom for the country's cultural riches and traditions. Here's the list of the unique Latvian products to look for while in...