2 Hours Walking Tour in Legends and Secret of Riga's Old Town

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. You will observe this oldest Riga's luteran church from outside. You will know the story about medieval tradition related to the church golden roosters. You will visit the free part of the church, you will know the symbolical meaning of the rooster from the Christianic point of view and not only. You will know how the number of the beast ( 666) affected the fate of the church.

   12 minutes here · Admission included

2. Riga Town Hall Square

   Town Hall square (Ratslaukums) is the most beautiful area of old Riga and the oldest cultural-representative center. Originally the site of the modern town hall square, which can be seen at the present time was a city market. The Bazaar flocked merchants from all around, bringing goods to trade. Based on the direct destination square, for many years the area was called the Market. It was not only the trade point, but also the administrative core of the city. You will observe from here the left bank of Daugava river, building of Latvian National library, museum of occupation of Latvia, you will know the story of Key to Riga and will see the place where the tradition to decorate Christmas tree had started in 16th century. We will see the memory place dedicated to the first in the world decorated christmas tree.

   16 minutes here

3. House Of The Black Heads

   The guide will describe you the decoration of this most beautiful building in Riga, tell you about the Clock installed on the facade of the house of Black Heads, you will know the history of the brotherhood of the Black Heads, visiting the free part of the house and will see its underground and will know the secret alchemical hermetical symbolism of the house facade.

   11 minutes here · Admission included

4. Statue of Roland

   Roland's statue is installed in the center of the square, this is a symbol of freedom of the medieval city as well as the symbol of Hanseatic union. Riga was a part of Hanseatic union since 1283. You will know the interesting story about Roland's shield and sword.

   5 minutes here · Admission included

5. City Hall

   You will pass the inner street of the City Hall ( passage)-Jaunavu street. You will observe waterfall River of time, dedicated to Riga - river and installed to Riga's 800 anniversary in 2001. You will see also the Contemporary of Pharaoh Tutunkhamen.

   5 minutes here

6. You will see this the most narrow street in Riga and the oldest City Hall wine cellar of 13th century from outside. You will know why these narrow streets were called the streets of the drunk knight.

   5 minutes here

7. Bremen Town Musicians

   You will see the monument of Bremen mucisians, that was presented to Riga by Bremen town and this is the most recognizable monuments of Riga that will help you make your wish come true. Bremen and Riga are the sisters-towns and the founder of Riga bishop Albert was a Bremen town origine.Made by the Bremen sculptor Krista Baumgertel, presented to Riga as a gift by the sister city of Bremen and installed in 1990.

   6 minutes here

8. You will see the main luteran church of Riga - Riga cathedral from outside, you will count all the golden rooster from this biggest Old Town square. And you will know the secret geometry of this square. Dome Square is the place where the main Christmas market takes place every year.

   6 minutes here

9. Riga Cathedral

   You will know about foundation and construction of the church, visit the free part of Dome, you will see the last work of Rafael Santi, you will know the history of pipe organ of the church, that used to be the biggest in the world in 19th century and now its one of the best sounding musical instrument in the world. You will know how the merchants of Riga were planning their day looking at Dome's rooster.

   5 minutes here · Admission included

10. Riga Stock Exchange Building

    The guide will describe you the Stock Exchange's architecture, passing through it you will see the only one Venetian gondola in Riga. This wonderful example of the Venetian Neo-renessance was buid in 19th century and its a real pearl of Old Town architecture that now hosts the museum of foreign arts.

    5 minutes here · Admission included

11. Three Brothers, Latvian Museum of Architecture

    The houses ( Three brothers) together form the oldest complex of dwelling houses in Riga. Each house represents various periods of development of dwelling house construction. You will visit the oldest dwelling house of Riga of 15th century ( the Oldest brother) and museum of Latvian architecture, will see the oldest coat-arm of Riga in the inner yard behind Three brothers and will know the story about taxes of the medieval Riga- the window tax including.

    7 minutes here

12. You will see this Catholic Riga Cathedral from outside. AS well you will know the story of the bell of the "poor sinners" - this bell was ringing when the criminal was brought from prison to the Town Hall square to be executed.

    5 minutes here

13. Powder Tower

    Powder tower in Riga's old town is the biggest and the only surviving tower of 14th century and you will observe it from outside. After the tour you can visit Latvian War Museum that Powder tower hosts now. Admission to the Tower and The War museum is free.

    5 minutes here

14. You will see this only one outer gate of Riga that was made in Sweedish time of Riga's history and that is why it has such a name. You will see the house of city executioner and will know the legend about Riga ghost.

    6 minutes here

15. You will see this longest building of Old Town that was a house for 5 thousand Sweedish soldiers: the barracs of St. Jacob. Now this building hosts not the soldiers but the suvenir shops, cafeterias, restaurants and offices.

    3 minutes here

16. Black Magic Bar

    According to the legend in the past this bar was a farmacy where the famous Riga Black balsam was invented in 18th century. Riga Black Magic bar is a small caffe that serves coffee, tea, various sweets, cakes, Riga balsams of all sorts and kinds, and they also make many different drinks on the basis of the famous Rigas Black Balsam .You will have possibility to sample this symbol of Riga. You will know about the hidden symbolism of alchemy and will see the secret door leading to the laboratory of the alchemist Kunze, inventor of Black Balsam.

    10 minutes here

17. Freedom Monument

    Freedom monument that was built during the first Latvian Republic hides a lot of secrets and the guide will discover for you the hidden symbolism of this monument and will tell you about this main Latvia's monument construction and history. You will know why this monument is so important for Latvian people.

    4 minutes here

18. Laima Clock

    You will see this main meeting point in Riga- Laima clock. "Laima" is main and a biggest chocolate producer in Latvia and you will know why it got such a name.

    2 minutes here

19. You will see this shortest street of Riga, will pass it literally for one minute. And also you will know how it became so short many years ago.

    5 minutes here

20. Cat House

    Cats house is one of the main symbols of Old Town and as well as a black cat. You will know the legend about the house and how the black cat became one of the main symbols of Riga.

    5 minutes here

21. Livu Square

    You will know the history and the hidden symbolism of the square. You will see the monument -Liv's head.

    3 minutes here

22. Small Guild of Riga

    Small Guild was a union of Riga's craftsmen and you will know the story about its foundation.The building was erected in the years 1864—66 after a project by architect Johann Felsko in Neo-Gothic style.[

    1 minutes here

23. you will know the story about this union of local Riga's merchants -Great Guild. The Riga Merchant Guild, also known as the Large Guild of Riga or St. Mary's Guild was a German Merchant guild in Riga, the Latvian capital, which existed from 1354 to 1936.Riga became a member of the Hanseatic League in 1283, and the German guilds became more prominent in the life of the city.

    2 minutes here

24. Baltic Way Footprint Monument

    The Baltic Way was an unprecedented event in world history when roughly 2 million Latvians, Estonians and Lithuanians joined hands to form a 600km-long human chain from Tallinn to Vilnius via Riga. The mass demonstration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact took place on August 23, 1989, while the Baltic nations were still occupied by the Soviet Union. A small red granite ‘footprint’ at the crossroads of Kaļķu and Vaļņu (near McDonald’s) serves as a reminder of that amazing event.

    2 minutes here

25. Mikhail Chehov Riga Russian Theatre

    You will see one of the oldest Russian theatre outside of Russia that was build in the time of Russian empire at the second part of 19th century. Its a beautiful example of Florentine Neo-Renaissance.

    Pass by without stopping

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

ru, en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 15 travelers per booking

Operated by

Lina

Know before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Service animals are not allowed: dogs, cats and any animals are not allowed on this tour.

Photos