Cat On A Hot Riga Roof
- Virtual Traveller 86
- May 26, 2020
- 3 min read
Day Four: Country No.24
LATVIA Arrival Time: 9:59am
Flying from neighbouring Lithuania would take just 45 minutes, probably the shortest flight of this challenge thus far. “A tapestry of sea, lakes and woods, Latvia is best described as a vast, unspoilt parkland with just one real city – its cosmopolitan capital, Rīga. The country might be small, but the amount of personal space it provides is enormous. You can always secure a chunk of pristine nature all for yourself, be it for trekking, cycling or dreaming away on a white-sand beach amid pine-covered dunes.” (Lonely Planet)
Riga
Latvia’s capital lies at the mouth of the River Daugava. It is home to numerous museums and concert halls. It has a medieval Old Town and is apparently known for its wooden buildings (which somehow I missed). According to Lonely Planet the “curving cobbled streets of Rīga’s medieval core are best explored at random. Once you’re sufficiently lost amid the tangle of gabled roofs, church spires and crooked alleyways, you will begin to uncover a stunning, World Heritage–listed realm of sky-scraping cathedrals, gaping city squares and crumbling castle walls.” Here are some of the places I visited.
1. View of the city and the River Daugava behind.
2. Melngalvju nams (House of the Black Heads): The original building was erected during the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild for unmarried merchants, shipowners, and foreigners in Riga.
3. St. Peter’s Church tower. A parish church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia.
4. My visit to a country would not be complete without at least one fresco to photograph! 5. & 6. Kaku nams (Cat House): The Cat House was built in 1909, styled as medieval architecture with some elements of Art Nouveau. There are sculptures of Cats sat on the roof turrets, hence the name.
1. The Freedom Monument honours soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence.
2. Memorial dedicated to all who lost their lives during The Barricades - confrontations between Latvian and Soviet Union forces in 1991.
3. The Swedish Gate: erected in 1698 as a part of the Riga Wall, apparently to provide access to barracks outside the city wall (Wikipedia).
4. Built in the 13th century, Riga was protected from invasion by a defensive wall with 25 towers. Only two remain. Walking along from the Swedish Gate you can see elements of the original wall.
5. I love the way it abruptly stops...and that a building has been built directly in front.
Sigulda & Gauja National Park
Just 53km from Riga is the town of Sigulda, one of the main entry points for the Gauja National Park. Gauja was Latvia’s first national park (opened 1973) and is an area popular for hiking, biking and a whole host of offbeat adrenalin sports. To the international visitor Sigulda may be best known for its castle but for most Latvians it’s also famous for the Bobsleigh and Luge Track. In fact it is not only a place for professionals to train but somewhere you too can have a go. As you travel at over 110km per hour you will experience 4G on the twists and turns and complete the 1km course in less than a minute! (Lonely Planet).
If it’s okay with you I‘ll just a have a stroll around the park! Ta muchly.
1. Siguldas Jaunā pils (Sigulda New Castle): Built in 1878 for the Kropotkin family. It has since changed ownership many times. 2. Ata Kronvalda piemineklis: Kronvaldu Atis was a teacher, publicist and campaigner for the Latvian language. It is said he helped to initiate the second wave of the New Latvian Movement. Monument is in front of New Castle.
3. & 4. Siguldas pilsdrupas (Castle Of The Livonian Order In Sigulda): Medieval Castle ruins located in Sigulda, on the edge of the Gauja valley. The original castle was built in 1207. You can take a virtual tour via latvia.travel (see link below).
5. River Gauja
1 & 3 Gūtmanala: Gutman’s Cave is the widest and highest cave in the Baltic countries; and oldest tourist attraction in Latvia (well so says Wikipedia and they are never wrong🤔). Situated in the national park & not far from Turaida.
2. Krauklu aiza: Gorge and cave also in the national park. People do like to etch on rocks!
4. Am so glad I didn’t have to climb down (and back up) all these steps to reach Krauklu cave! A benefit of armchair travels.
Departing Latvia at 11:55am (only 2 hours and 21 minutes left...and 2 more countries to visit!).
Sources
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/gauja-national-park-latvia https://www.latvia.travel/en/sight/castle-livonian-order-sigulda
https://www.tourism.sigulda.lv/monument-to-atis-kronvalds/ Google Earth and Street View
Wikipedia
I am doing this challenge to raise funds for The Scoliosis Association UK (SAUK) and for the NHS Charities. You can read my reasons for choosing these in an earlier post. I am trying to raise £500. Any donation is gratefully received and can be made by clicking on the link below. Thank You in advance.
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