Russian Language Academy BORN
Imagine walking on original 17th-century cobblestone streets while basking in the warm spring sun, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide who spoke to you only in Russian. That is the experience that I had the pleasure of enjoying on a radiant Monday afternoon in picturesque Riga. RLA Durbe offers tours of Riga’s Old Town every Monday!
Our guide Vladimir showed us the scenic Vermanes Garden that straddles around the City Canal, directly opposite the street from RLA Durbe! The City Canal served as a moat back in the Middle Ages. After the restoration of independence, officials in Riga tirelessly cleaned up the waterways and established green spaces around the city. The green spaces around the City Canal were revitalized and rejuvenated. As a result, animal life returned to the area with many birds flocking to the pristine park. While standing in the cool shade, Vladimir pointed to us the iron barricades that surround the trees lining in the park, preventing beavers from gnawing down the trees.
As we walked the cobblestone streets, Vladimir explained to us the beginnings of Riga as a port city and the importance of the Daugava River as a trading hub for the Vikings. As he explained, the Daugava, Dnieper, and Volga served as a trading highway for the Vikings. That sparked the innovative and trade-oriented city that Riga became.
Reaching the renown Freedom Monument, Vladimir told us about the persisting history of the beautiful Freedom Monument. Private and public donations funded and built the monument, which honored the soldiers who perished during Latvia’s War of Independence. The maiden holding the three stars above her head symbolizes the three historical provinces of Latvia. However, within a few short years, the Soviets occupied Latvia and tried to alter the meaning of the monument. The new interpretation preached was the Three Baltic States held together in unity by the Soviet Union.
Vladimir told us a little tidbit from his youth, the clock tower etching the Laima (Latvian confectionary company) advertisement used to be a very popular meeting place for youngsters back in the day. Similarly, the case still stands as many youngsters could be seen around the area skateboarding and relaxing under the warm rays of the sun.
Traversing through the age-old streets of the Old Town, Vladimir brought our attention to three ancient spires of the three churches– St. Peter’s, St. John’s, and St. Jacob’s. The spires of these churches all have roosters as weather vanes, which is now a symbol of Riga. It is mind-boggling to think about how old these churches are. They have weathered and persisted through so many historical events. It does take a while to process the proximity of such beautiful and ornate historical buildings with modern and lively cafes and restaurants just meters away. That’s probably just the charm of Riga.
A quite funny story that Vladimir told was about the Cat House. The legend goes that a local merchant had a disagreement with the city government of Riga over a building. As retribution, two black cat statues erected on the roof, with their behinds facing the Riga Town Hall.
Since all these buildings date back ages, so I curiously asked Vladimir– what was the oldest building in Riga? Vladimir led us to a quaint part of Old Town and pointed at a white brick building nestled between two larger buildings. He told me that the building we’re looking at is the oldest surviving building in Riga. It used to be a convent which housed nuns. Again, across the street stood a very modernesque cafe with a simple and minimalistic design. I was bedazzled by the constant reminder that Riga is not only an ancient but also cosmopolitan and hip.
The descriptions and stories that I’ve brushed over are one of the many quirky and beautiful stories that you will hear when you visit Riga. I’ve only been here for a short week and I’ve fallen in love with this charming and grand city.