Riga Castle (Rigas Pils), Riga
It has been rebuilt and remodeled countless times, but the original castle was built here in 1330. It's located outside the boundaries of Old Riga, thanks to a treaty between Riga at the Livonian Order. After a conflict between the parties, the Order agreed to build the castle outside Riga's border.
The castle was meant to be home to the Master of the Livonian Order in its early years. However, constant conflicts with the Rigans caused the Master to move to the Castle of C膿sis.
Over the following centuries, ownership of the castle bounced between leaders of ruling parties. First, the Lithuanians, then Polish, Swedish, Russian Empire, Soviet, and finally Latvian parties resided in the castle. Each left their own marks on the structure, rebuilding it as necessary for their purposes.
The structure suffered major damage after a fire incident in 2013. The fire claimed over 3,200 square meters of the castle, including much of the roof and attic. Thankfully, none of the priceless art collections housed in the museums were affected.
Today the castle is the official residence of the President of Latvia and the Latvian government. There are also several museums located in the castle.
The castle was meant to be home to the Master of the Livonian Order in its early years. However, constant conflicts with the Rigans caused the Master to move to the Castle of C膿sis.
Over the following centuries, ownership of the castle bounced between leaders of ruling parties. First, the Lithuanians, then Polish, Swedish, Russian Empire, Soviet, and finally Latvian parties resided in the castle. Each left their own marks on the structure, rebuilding it as necessary for their purposes.
The structure suffered major damage after a fire incident in 2013. The fire claimed over 3,200 square meters of the castle, including much of the roof and attic. Thankfully, none of the priceless art collections housed in the museums were affected.
Today the castle is the official residence of the President of Latvia and the Latvian government. There are also several museums located in the castle.
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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Riga Castle (Rigas Pils) on Map
Sight Name: Riga Castle (Rigas Pils)
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.
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
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
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...