Route: Art Nouveau in Old Town Riga
Add to calendar »After dismantling the medieval defensive wall in mid-19th century, Riga took on the splendid Art Nouveau style. A prohibition on building masonries in Riga's suburban areas was lifted, and so the development of Art Nouveau kicked off. In the turn of the 20th century, the city saw an unprecedented boom as splendid Art Nouveau buildings appeared among the usual wooden houses. Many of them are now more than 200 hundred years.
Jūgendstils Vecrīgā
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Audēju str. 7
One of the first Art Nouveau buildings in Riga. Constructed in 1899 by architect Alfred Aschenkampf. Owned by book publisher Alexander Grosset. The facades of the building are adorned with geometric shapes, stylised floral and other relief ornamentation characteristic of Art Nouveau - irises, blossoming trees, reedmaces, and mascarons. |
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Kalēju str. 23 The apartment house and shop is renowned for the blossoming foliage-shaped corner with a stylised sun above. Designed in 1903 by architect P. Mandelstam. |
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Teātra str. 9
The apartment house and shop was built in 1903 according to the design by architects Heinrich Carl Scheel and Friedrich Scheffel. On top of the building - Atlases holding the Earth on their shoulders. In early 20th century, the glass and zinc globe was illuminated to display the possibilities of the latest technologies. |
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Meistaru str. 10
Built in 1909 according to designs of architect F. Scheffel. It is called the Cat House because of the roof decoration. |
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Šķūņu str. 10/12
Originally, the 1903 building housed an optical shop of the building owner H. Dettmann. The facade features Dettmann's initial letters, mascarons and stylised plants. In the right corner of the building - a figure of a dog (guard of the house) which is a symbolic adaptation to the medieval surroundings. |
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Tirgoņu str. 4
The building also belonged to H. Dettmann. Adorned with historic heroes, another feature that was also popular with Berlin's architecture at that time. Built in 1900. |
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Jauniela 25/29
Built in 1903 according to designs by architect W. Bockslaff. Featuring several architecturally varying floors with the intention of adapting it to the Old Town's medieval architecture. |
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Smilšu str. 2
The building is renowned for the contrasting trim of the façade, a red-brick background with natural and stylised ornaments. Designed by architect K. Pēkšēns. One of the most popular Art Nouveau figures - a peacock - on top of the small bay. |
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Smilšu str. 8
The building is adorned with mascarons, geometric shapes, stylised floral ornamentation and female figures. Constructed in 1902 according to designs by architects Heinrich Carl Scheel and Friedrich Scheffel. |
Duration: around 50 minutes
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