Wednesday, 13 May 2020

The charming old city of Riga, Latvia

*WS 155 – The charming old city of Riga, Latvia*

Latvia is a small nation bordering the Baltic Sea, about 3 times the size of our Perak state, with 2.2 million people. Riga is the capital and a transport hub. The old city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We visited this city in 2011. Shown a panoramic view of the old city.  The Central Market, consisting of 5 pavilions converted from aircraft hangers, is one of the oldest and largest markets in Europe.  

The beautiful building in the 3rd photo at the main square is called the House of Blackheads, a club for bachelors formed in the 1500s. It is called "blackheads" because if you remain single, no wife trouble, you won't have white hair!

The city is famous for its Art Nouveau architecture, a style peaked around 1890 to 1905. Riga is the Art Nouveau of Europe, typical examples in the 4th and 5th photos. 

We visited a niche museum, called the Museum of Medical History, shown an eye chart for the illiterate used not too long ago, 6th photo. The last 2 are street scenes in the old city with beautiful street decoration.









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