"Riga - City of Inspiration" Riga by MikeAtSea

Riga is the City of Inspiration. It is the geographical centre of the three Baltic States, with a city territory of some 307 km2 and home to almost 800.000 inhabitants. All the historical styles of Western European architecture can be found in Riga’s architecture. Alongside old buildings with Roman and Gothic features one sees buildings built in the spirit of Renaissance and Mannerism, Baroque and Classicism. The city boasts a colorful collection of Art Nouveau architecture.
Riga’s name was first mentioned in 1198 but its year of foundation is deemed to be 1201, when Bishop Albert moved his residence from the neighbouring Ikskile to this place near the ancient river Riga. Since the 11th and 12th century craftsmen, fishermen and merchants lived in Livonian and ancient Latvian villages. The city obtained its name from the River Riga which flowed into the River Daugava.
The Daugava estuary was a convenient place for a port. It enticed both German merchants who were always seeking new trade routes eastward, as well as Western European crusaders who sought to subjugate more and more people. Medieval Riga grew and developed rapidly, becoming an influential port city. In the 13th century it became a city according to Western European standards, with rights of a city and a town council. Fortifications protected the Archbishop’s cathedral and other churches, the Master Order of the Livonian Castle, the Town Hall, stone residential buildings and the Guild Meeting Halls that were built over the years.
Riga as part of the Hansa played an important role in trade between the east and west in the 15th century. After the collapse of Livonia in the 16th century, Poland, Sweden and Germany ruled here, but Riga always remained the political, cultural and economical centre of the Baltic.
In the mid 19th century when the fortifications were removed, active construction commenced and at the turn of the 20th century the city expanded dramatically.

The Latvian Parliament

The Boulevard Circle with grand Eclectic and Art Nouveau Buildings, with colorful parks and gardens developed around the Old Town.
In 1918 independence was declared and Riga became the capital city of an independent Latvia. Independence however was short lived since the country was occupied by Soviet forces in 1940, to be followed by German troops from 1941 till 1944 and later was part of the Soviet Union until the declaration of independence on August 21, 1991.
The country has returned fast to Europe and the signs of 50 years of oppression and occupation are almost not visible anymore.
Since 2005 the country is part of the European Union and many developments can be seen in this bustling city.