| |
|
History of Riga City
The ancient city of Riga, the shores of the Baltic Sea,
the natural beauty of the countryside, and the proximity to Northern Europe
are continuing to attract international tourists to Latvia. Since regaining
independence in August 1991, Latvia's tourism industry has developed steadily
and many comfortable, modern facilities are now open. Latvia invites you
to explore Riga's Art Nouveau architecture, to visit Latvia's untouched
countryside and to get to know the rich culture mixed with old traditions
of Latvia's people. Riga, located at the estuary of the Daugava River,
where it flows into the Gulf of Riga, is the capital of Latvia and. with
a population of 900,000 within its 300 sq-km, the largest city in the
Baltic States. It is also the Baltic’s biggest industrial, financial,
and transport centre.
But there is more to Riga than offices and factories, and the medieval
Old Town, dating from the 13th century, with its church towers, ancient
houses and cobbled streets, is fascinating and beautiful. Brick houses
and warehouses still survive from middle Ages, and many other buildings
were rebuilt during the 19th century; indeed, of the 590 buildings in
the Old Town, 79 are classified as historical monuments.
Riga was formally founded as the city in 1201 by German bishop Albert
of Bremen. Some historians believe the city’s name was taken from a Germanised
version of " rija", the Latvian word for barn. Riga lays at the site where
the Riga River emptied into the Daugava River, thus creating a natural
harbour. It was very appropriate place for German tradesman seeking new
markets in the East. The site also attracted western European crusaders
in search of new lands to conquer. Over the years Riga became an important
port city, a centre for trade and manufacturing. As a fort, Riga had a
great military importance. The governance of the city has changed hands
numerous times over the years. From the 13th to the 16th century it was
the most important city in Livonia. From the late 16th through the 17th
century it belonged first to Poland, then to Sweden. In the 18th century
it fell under control of the Russian empire. Today Riga is the capital
of the independent Republic of Latvia.
|
|
