The finest Art Nouveau in the world

table latvia 5.Tallinn-Riga 8 July Monday Coach Ecolines Hotel Irina Merkela str. 12, Riga 1050,. The Irina hotel is easy to find because, as well as being opposite the railway station, it is near the Rimi supermarket. Restaurant: Lido Alus Seta Tirgonu Iela 6,

Riga 9 July the Freedom Monument, Art Nouveau district Riga has the richest Art Nouveau architecture in the world and a whole cluster of buildings, monuments and places of interest that attract thousands of visitors every year. Most are concentrated on Elisabetes Iela and Alberta Iela, but you shouldn't stop only in that area. Wandering around the city you discover new buildings with statues, caryatids and friezes that are just as interesting. In any case Alberta Iela is the main Art Nouveau street, with remarkable buildings that best bear witness to the architectural and artistic beauty of this historical period. The problem is the tourist coaches that unload groups of people fifty at a time with guides equipped with microphones and loudspeakers who explain the architectural beauties out loud. So it's best to arrive early in the morning if we want some peace.

Art Nouveau museum Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in Riga. Riga Doms (entrance: 2 lats each Restaurant: Pelmeni XL Kalku 7 Restaurant: Lido Vermanitis Elisabetes iela 65 In two we pay the equivalent of 16 euros for two main courses with numerous sides, two desserts, two yogurts and fruit. Lots of fibre and few calories. The interior is unusual because it recalls the Middle Ages, but there are large windows looking out. Perhaps too much air conditioning. To be recommended. We came back three times for the excellent value for money

Riga 10 July The Gauja National Park, within which lies Sigulda, a town famous for its monuments. Sigulda Castle

The Gutmana Ala The latter It is famous for the story of the Rose of Turaida, from which the writer Janis Rainis, whose statue can be seen in the park in Riga, drew his drama. “Love is stronger than death”. They tell of a local girl, Maija, known as the Rose of Turaida for her beauty, who preferred to be killed rather than marry a local nobleman who coveted her, and thus save her love for a young gardener who, when he learned of her death, buried her in the cave where they used to meet, planting a lime tree. “The Betrothed” in a Latvian version, without divine providence and with a tragic ending. The Gutmana Ala is unique in the Baltic States for its size. Legend says that the Rose of Turaida took refuge there. The name comes from a hermit, Gut Mann, who found shelter there. Today an elderly gentleman plays musical instruments there hoping for a tip.

Turaida Museum Reserve The ticket (2 lats) gives the right to visit the Turaida Museum Reserve, castle included. At the castle entrance there's a second ticket check. The castle was destroyed by lightning that struck the gunpowder store, sparing the tower you can still see today. There's a museum spread over three floors with few original pieces and many drawings. You also see bare rooms and, outside, the foundations of other buildings. We pass by the wooden church without visiting it.

Riga 11 July Riga centre from Brivibas Bulvaris Old St. Gertrudes Church The monumental Neo-Gothic church was consecrated in 1869 following the design of J.D. Felsko. It can be recognised from afar by its characteristic red bricks, The buildings around it have façades adorned with Art Nouveau statues and bas-reliefs. Museum of medicine