2 Hours Walking Tour in Legends and Secret of Riga's Old Town

You will observe this oldest Riga's luteran church from outside. You will know the story about medieval tradition related to the church golden roosters. You will visit the free part of the church, you will know the symbolical meaning of the rooster from the Christianic point of view and not only. You will know how the number of the beast ( 666) affected the fate of the church.

Town Hall square (Ratslaukums) is the most beautiful area of old Riga and the oldest cultural-representative center. Originally the site of the modern town hall square, which can be seen at the present time was a city market. The Bazaar flocked merchants from all around, bringing goods to trade. Based on the direct destination square, for many years the area was called the Market. It was not only the trade point, but also the administrative core of the city. You will observe from here the left bank of Daugava river, building of Latvian National library, museum of occupation of Latvia, you will know the story of Key to Riga and will see the place where the tradition to decorate Christmas tree had started in 16th century. We will see the memory place dedicated to the first in the world decorated christmas tree.

The guide will describe you the decoration of this most beautiful building in Riga, tell you about the Clock installed on the facade of the house of Black Heads, you will know the history of the brotherhood of the Black Heads, visiting the free part of the house and will see its underground and will know the secret alchemical hermetical symbolism of the house facade.

Roland's statue is installed in the center of the square, this is a symbol of freedom of the medieval city as well as the symbol of Hanseatic union. Riga was a part of Hanseatic union since 1283. You will know the interesting story about Roland's shield and sword.

You will pass the inner street of the City Hall ( passage)-Jaunavu street. You will observe waterfall River of time, dedicated to Riga - river and installed to Riga's 800 anniversary in 2001. You will see also the Contemporary of Pharaoh Tutunkhamen.

You will see this the most narrow street in Riga and the oldest City Hall wine cellar of 13th century from outside. You will know why these narrow streets were called the streets of the drunk knight.

You will see the monument of Bremen mucisians, that was presented to Riga by Bremen town and this is the most recognizable monuments of Riga that will help you make your wish come true. Bremen and Riga are the sisters-towns and the founder of Riga bishop Albert was a Bremen town origine.Made by the Bremen sculptor Krista Baumgertel, presented to Riga as a gift by the sister city of Bremen and installed in 1990.

You will see the main luteran church of Riga - Riga cathedral from outside, you will count all the golden rooster from this biggest Old Town square. And you will know the secret geometry of this square. Dome Square is the place where the main Christmas market takes place every year.

You will know about foundation and construction of the church, visit the free part of Dome, you will see the last work of Rafael Santi, you will know the history of pipe organ of the church, that used to be the biggest in the world in 19th century and now its one of the best sounding musical instrument in the world. You will know how the merchants of Riga were planning their day looking at Dome's rooster.

The guide will describe you the Stock Exchange's architecture, passing through it you will see the only one Venetian gondola in Riga. This wonderful example of the Venetian Neo-renessance was buid in 19th century and its a real pearl of Old Town architecture that now hosts the museum of foreign arts.

The houses ( Three brothers) together form the oldest complex of dwelling houses in Riga. Each house represents various periods of development of dwelling house construction. You will visit the oldest dwelling house of Riga of 15th century ( the Oldest brother) and museum of Latvian architecture, will see the oldest coat-arm of Riga in the inner yard behind Three brothers and will know the story about taxes of the medieval Riga- the window tax including.

You will see this Catholic Riga Cathedral from outside. AS well you will know the story of the bell of the "poor sinners" - this bell was ringing when the criminal was brought from prison to the Town Hall square to be executed.

Powder tower in Riga's old town is the biggest and the only surviving tower of 14th century and you will observe it from outside. After the tour you can visit Latvian War Museum that Powder tower hosts now. Admission to the Tower and The War museum is free.

You will see this only one outer gate of Riga that was made in Sweedish time of Riga's history and that is why it has such a name. You will see the house of city executioner and will know the legend about Riga ghost.

You will see this longest building of Old Town that was a house for 5 thousand Sweedish soldiers: the barracs of St. Jacob. Now this building hosts not the soldiers but the suvenir shops, cafeterias, restaurants and offices.

According to the legend in the past this bar was a farmacy where the famous Riga Black balsam was invented in 18th century. Riga Black Magic bar is a small caffe that serves coffee, tea, various sweets, cakes, Riga balsams of all sorts and kinds, and they also make many different drinks on the basis of the famous Rigas Black Balsam .You will have possibility to sample this symbol of Riga. You will know about the hidden symbolism of alchemy and will see the secret door leading to the laboratory of the alchemist Kunze, inventor of Black Balsam.

Freedom monument that was built during the first Latvian Republic hides a lot of secrets and the guide will discover for you the hidden symbolism of this monument and will tell you about this main Latvia's monument construction and history. You will know why this monument is so important for Latvian people.

You will see this main meeting point in Riga- Laima clock. "Laima" is main and a biggest chocolate producer in Latvia and you will know why it got such a name.

You will see this shortest street of Riga, will pass it literally for one minute. And also you will know how it became so short many years ago.

Cats house is one of the main symbols of Old Town and as well as a black cat. You will know the legend about the house and how the black cat became one of the main symbols of Riga.

You will know the history and the hidden symbolism of the square. You will see the monument -Liv's head.

Small Guild was a union of Riga's craftsmen and you will know the story about its foundation.The building was erected in the years 1864—66 after a project by architect Johann Felsko in Neo-Gothic style.[

you will know the story about this union of local Riga's merchants -Great Guild. The Riga Merchant Guild, also known as the Large Guild of Riga or St. Mary's Guild was a German Merchant guild in Riga, the Latvian capital, which existed from 1354 to 1936.Riga became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1283, and the German guilds became more prominent in the life of the city.

The Baltic Way was an unprecedented event in world history when roughly 2 million Latvians, Estonians and Lithuanians joined hands to form a 600km-long human chain from Tallinn to Vilnius via Riga. The mass demonstration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact took place on August 23, 1989, while the Baltic nations were still occupied by the Soviet Union. A small red granite ‘footprint’ at the crossroads of Kaļķu and Vaļņu (near McDonald’s) serves as a reminder of that amazing event.

You will see one of the oldest Russian theatre outside of Russia that was build in the time of Russian empire at the second part of 19th century. Its a beautiful example of Florentine Neo-Renaissance.

You will know the sad story about two domenican monks that was walled up alive into the wall of this church and the guide will show you the place where they were found in 19th century during reconstruction works. As well you will see the oldest Riga's gate leading to the Domenican monastry.

You will see the part of Old fortification wall of 13th century. This wall was built by Germans during Livonian order's time and protected Riga from invadors.

You will see this longest street of Old town. In the past this street was an enbankment of Riga-river. And now this Blacksmiths street shows how Riga- river was flowing. The blacksmiths used to work in this street.

You will see the Riga Radio and TV Tower in Riga, Latvia is the tallest tower in the European Union. It was built between 1979 and 1989 with funding from the central government of the Soviet Union. Its highest point reaches 368.5 metres.

you will see this memory plaque dedicated to the first decorated Christmas tree of 1510. And you will know why Riga is the town of four capitals.