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Bike Route: Beautiful and Green Riga

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  • Start/Finish: Bicycle rental stands on Old Town Square (Rātslaukums)
  • Duration: 3 to 4 hours
  • Length: 25 kilometres
  • Additional information:
    • The Mangaļi Railway Station; for the train schedule and prices go to www.ldz.lv
    • The "Jelgava" ship leaves for the city centre from Mežaparks on Saturdays and Sundays at 2.30 pm; please inform us about the time and number of your bicycles by phone +37129554405. Duration: 1 hour.

If you love cycling and wish to escape from the city bustle to natural beauty and fresh air and to observe notable cultural and historical monuments on the way, this tour is for you!

The route starts in the very heart of Old Town Riga - on the square between the Town Hall and the House of Blackheads. First it will take you through narrow streets to the former fortification wall where now you can enjoy green areas and pathways and cycling paths along the city canal. Then you'll see a green zone - Kronvalda Park, which has a beautiful fountain. Initially the park was set up exclusively for German soldiers, along with a shooting-ground; for public use it was opened quite late. Then you'll pass through the Art Nouveau district. Here art is everywhere with no strict line between sculpture and architecture. The buildings are ornamented with figures and fantastic images; you can enjoy art like in an open-air museum. The buildings are adorned with various figures and fantastic images. No other European city features so many Art Nouveau-style buildings whereas in Riga's historical centre they are 40 percent. In 1997 Riga centre was included in the UNESCO World Culture Heritage List. Further you'll pass a new business centre and appartment district and reach one of Latvian most remarkable cultural monuments - Brethren Cemetry, which has a multitude of symbolic sculptures and landscape architecture.

At last, the route will take you along the first green area of Art Deco, Art-Nouveau and Neo-Classicism-style apartment houses in Europe to Riga's biggest park - Mežaparks Park. Here you can cycle in fresh air, swim in the lake, try the swings, have a look at the Jaunlaulāto (Newlywed Hill)  and the Open-Air Stage which hosts the Latvian Song and Dance Festival every four years, a tradition started in 1873. If you are interested, you can have visit Riga Zoo or enjoy some attractions - rodeo, trampolines, or the "Mežakaķis" (Forest Cat) adventure track.

When you feel tired, you can go to the closest railway station to get to Riga centre. If it is Saturday or Sunday, first make sure that there is enough space for your bicycles (the maximum number of bikes - 2) by pnone and go to the city centre via the ship "Jelgava".

Those who are not tired yet can cycle back and see some more National Art Nouveau buildings and the Great Cemetery, which still holds 19th century vaults of crafts guilds and associations.

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Route objects
1
House of Blackheads
Rīga, Rātslaukums 1
The House of Blackheads was set up as a meeting and banquet venue for members of the Blackheads’ Society – unmarried German merchants – in the 15th century. Their patron was St. Maurice, a Black Christian and a Roman soldier, who refused to persecute..»
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The House of Blackheads was set up as a meeting and banquet venue for members of the Blackheads’ Society – unmarried German merchants – in the 15th century. Their patron was St. Maurice, a Black Christian and a Roman soldier, who refused to persecute local Christians and was executed by decapitation. Thus a black head became the society's symbol and was portrayed in their coat of arms.

The foundation was laid in 1334, but the present Mannerism and Gothic-style appearance was added in the 17th century. The building was destroyed with shellfire in 1941 by the Russian Red Army, fearing a German ambush. The building was constructed anew in 1999.

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2
Gunpowder Tower
Rīga, Smilšu ielā 20
The Gunpowder Tower was built around 1330 as one of the fortification towers. It acquired the present name in the 17th century due to smell of smoke spread by gunshots from the tower. Some people say that the name comes from the fact that gunpowder w..»
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The Gunpowder Tower was built around 1330 as one of the fortification towers. It acquired the present name in the 17th century due to smell of smoke spread by gunshots from the tower. Some people say that the name comes from the fact that gunpowder was stored on the premises; however, it's hardly believable as the place where gunpowder was stored was a military secret at that time. Today, the building houses the War Museum.
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3
Freedom Monument
Rīga,
The Freedom Monument was erected in 1935 according to a design by the outstanding Latvian sculptor Kārlis Zāle (1888 - 1942); the Monument is dedicated to the 1918 Proclamation of Independent Latvia; it features four groups of symbolic figures - Work..»
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The Freedom Monument was erected in 1935 according to a design by the outstanding Latvian sculptor Kārlis Zāle (1888 - 1942); the Monument is dedicated to the 1918 Proclamation of Independent Latvia; it features four groups of symbolic figures - Work, Culture, Family and Defenders of the Homeland. The top of the marble obelisk is crowned by a woman hewed in copper. She is holding up three golden stars, which represent the unity of Latvia's historic regions (Kurzeme, Vidzeme and Latgale).
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4
Bastion Hill
Rīga, Z.A. Meierovica bulvāris 12
Bastion Hill was created in mid-19th century when the fortification wall (in some places even 4 metres high) was torn down and green areas were set up instead.
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Bastion Hill was created in mid-19th century when the fortification wall (in some places even 4 metres high) was torn down and green areas were set up instead.
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5
13, 12 Alberta Street
Rīga, Alberta iela 13, Alberta iela 12
No. 13 (1904) - a sample of decorative Art Nouveau according to the design by Mikhail Eisenstein. His son - Soviet film director Sergei Eisenstein - is world famous. No. 12 (1903) - built in the National Romanticism trend of Art Nouveau; many plan..»
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No. 13 (1904) - a sample of decorative Art Nouveau according to the design by Mikhail Eisenstein. His son - Soviet film director Sergei Eisenstein - is world famous. No. 12 (1903) - built in the National Romanticism trend of Art Nouveau; many plant and animal-shaped decorations - needles, cones and squirrels, and a tower at the corner. Today the premises houses the Art Nouveau Museum.
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6
Art Nouveau - 4 Alberta Street
Rīga, Alberta iela 4
One of the most renowned examples of Riga Art Nouveau, constructed according to a project by Eisenstein. It features many symbols and an unusual facade. The attic is decorated by three heads of screaming jellyfish. The side projections hold lions as ..»
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One of the most renowned examples of Riga Art Nouveau, constructed according to a project by Eisenstein. It features many symbols and an unusual facade. The attic is decorated by three heads of screaming jellyfish. The side projections hold lions as symbols of security and protection. The central windows are of interesting shape as on the first floor they resemble the letter T, on the third floor - a keyhole, on the second floor - they form one big oval shape.
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7
Brethren Cemetery
Rīga, Aizsaules iela
The cemetery is a memorial to and burial ground for thousands of Latvian soldiers who were killed in World War I and the Latvian War of Independence (1914 -1921). It was landscaped in 1914, but as an integrated combination of sculpture and landscapin..»
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The cemetery is a memorial to and burial ground for thousands of Latvian soldiers who were killed in World War I and the Latvian War of Independence (1914 -1921). It was landscaped in 1914, but as an integrated combination of sculpture and landscaping it was set up between 1924 and 1936, designed by Latvian sculptor Kārlis Zāle.

The main gate features the coat of arms of Latvia and a pair of dying ancient Latvian horsemen on either side. From the main entrance the Road of Thoughts leads through an avenue of linden trees (female symbol in Latvian folklore) to the Terrace of Heroes, encircled by an oak (symbol of courage, a soldier) grove, along with an altar of eternal flame in the centre. From here you can see the burial ground with the figure of Mother Latvia, the fallen Latvian soldiers, and the Wall of Latvia.

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8
Riga Zoo
Rīga, Meža prospekts 1
The biggest and oldest zoo in the Baltics (1907), an area of 22 hectares; 3000 animals of 405 species (without insects and other invertebrates), among them African ostrich, tigers, pandas, turtles.
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The biggest and oldest zoo in the Baltics (1907), an area of 22 hectares; 3000 animals of 405 species (without insects and other invertebrates), among them African ostrich, tigers, pandas, turtles.

Free bike stands outside the entrance. Opening times: 10am to 7pm (booking-office: 10am to 6pm). Tickets: 4 LVL (adults), 3 LVL (students, children (4 to18), seniors (up to age 70)).

More information on http://rigazoo.lv/public.

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9
Mežakaķis Adventure Park
Rīga, Mežaparks
Mežakaķis (Forest Cat)- an adventure park for children and adults to tackle different routes and obstacles.
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Mežakaķis (Forest Cat)- an adventure park for children and adults to tackle different routes and obstacles.

 

Tel. +371 67976886; tickets: 12 LVL (adults), 6.50 LVL (children up to age 17).

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10
Ķīšezers Lake
Rīga,
A recreation complex with a beach and swings. The average depth of the lake - 2.4 metres, the maximum - 4.2 metres. Pikes, eels, perches and catfish - Europe's second biggest freshwater fish.
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A recreation complex with a beach and swings. The average depth of the lake - 2.4 metres, the maximum - 4.2 metres. Pikes, eels, perches and catfish - Europe's second biggest freshwater fish.
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