The heart of the Baltics
 
Latvia is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea in North-Eastern Europe. It is the heart of the three Baltic States. With a warm welcome it invites you to visit its inspiring capital Riga and the beautiful countryside of green forests, blue lakes and rivers, blossoming meadows and the murmuring sea. Baroque palaces and stone manor houses, cosy wooden farmhouses and the charm of Art Nouveau buildings offer inspiration for everyone.
 
History of Russians in Latvia
 
The Baltic tribes, ancestors of the present-day Latvians, settled here about 2 millenniums BC. At the beginning of the 13th century the crusaders of the Teutonic Order conquered them and since then Germans, Russians, Poles and Swedes fought for control of the territory.
 
The history of Russians in Latvia is quite long - about a thousand years. Russian and Livonian chronicles state that the first Russian merchants came here as early as the XII-XIII centuries. Russia had always longed for access to the sea and thus control over Latvia. In 1721 Sweden lost Northern War to Russia and Latvia became part of Russia. After a period of Latvian independence from 1918-1940 Latvia was annexed by the Soviet Union. Soviet rule lasted until Latvia regained its freedom in 1991.
 
Formation of the quite large Russian national group in Latvia starting from the XIX century was due to several reasons. In the XIX century a large amount of Russian capital was invested in trade through the Baltic countries. The profits from this trade became the basis of a number of Russian owned manufacturing establishments. When Russia acquired Latvia, some Russian noblemen became landowners here. From the middle of the XIX century the highly developing industry of Latvia began to attract Russian workmen. The biggest social source of Russian newcomers, however, were Russian peasants fleeing from Russia because of widespread religious and social oppression. By 1990 Russians constituted around 50% of Latvian population.
 
Latvia is a refuge for Russia’s Old Believers
 
For centuries Latvia has served as a refuge for Russia’s Old Believers, who have added richness of Latvia’s spiritual life. The world largest Old Believers church is in Riga.
 
 
From Art Nouveau to Soviet-era architecture
 
Only true architectural wonders make the UNESCO World Heritage List. The historical center of Riga is one of them. Riga’s Old City is a living museum where modern life and comfort goes hand in hand with picturesque charm from the Middle Ages.
 
One third of Riga’s downtown buildings were constructed in Art Nouveau style. They explode with gargoyles, nymphs and satyrs. The large number of buildings and various styles that can be found make many think Riga has to be the Art Nouveau Capital of Northern Europe.
 
Riga has also preserved a great many of its old, wooden buildings, and has possibly the largest bodies of historic, wooden architecture to be found anywhere in Europe.
 
You will also see such peculiar Soviet architecture landmarks as the “wedding cake” Academy of Science building in Riga, so called “Stalin-era” monumental architecture and “Khrushchev-era” residential houses. You won’t see such a mix anywhere else.
 
Country of Castles and Palaces
 
Latvia offers a lot to the one interested in history and archaeology. The medieval Turaida Castle, Ventspils Castle and Cesis Castle, Baroque Rundale and Jelgava Palaces and Classical Mezotne Palace are just a few of examples. You can even spend the night in some of them that will ensure really romantic experience. The magnificient Rundale Palace was designed by the extraordinary Italian architect Francesco Bartalameo Rastrelli. The same Rastrelli that designed the Czar’s Winter Palace in St. Petersburg.
 
Resorts for Russian Czarist Family
 
Latvia has long, white sandy beaches. Tourists can find spacious, clean and white dream beaches in the wilderness. The seaside resort Jurmala alone has got 25 km of white fine sand beach.
 
Jurmala is on the greatest beaches in Europe. It was once a summer resort for members of the Russian Czarist family and other celebrities. Railways were built to bring Russian vacationers to Jurmala. In 1897 after the visit of the Duke of Edinburgh and Maria, the daughter of Czar Axefander II, Jurmala obtained the funding to build new health spas. The wealthy stayed in luxurious hotels, aristocratic health spas and fantasy-like wooden summer houses. Wooden architecture still there today.
 
Green Land and Blue Lakes
 
Here in Latvia there are storks everywhere, which is a sign that Latvia is an ecologically clean country. Latvia is one of the few rare places where one can find rare bird, animal, flower and plant species that one wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else. Eastern part of Latvia is called the Land of Blue Lakes.
 
Forests make up 45% of Latvia area. If you come from a heavily populated area, then Latvia’s vast forests can feel like heaven. Relax, feel the serenity and the sweet scent of the pine trees. If you are lucky you might encounter lynx or fox crossing a road.
 
And you don’t have to doubt your own senses if you spot a cow that seems blue. Latvian blue cows are among the rarest bovine in the world. According to local legend, a mermaid brought these cows with her from the sea when she fell in love with a farmer.
 
Amber – Latvian Gold
 
If you walk one of the Latvian beaches along the Baltic Sea, you are likely to find pieces of amber, which has been called Latvian Gold and once upon a time was valued as high. Made of pine resin in the salty sea water over about 40 millenniums, it catches the sun beautifully. It comes in colours from dark through clear gold, from prized opaque to near-white.
 
Steven Spielberg made amber famous in his film “Jurassic Park”. In the movie, scientists cloned dinosaurs from DNA found in prehistoric mosquitoes preserved in pieces of amber. A piece of amber with an insect is a rarity, but they do pop in Latvia. If you find one with an insect that once fed on an ancient dinosaur, you might sense history.
Useful links

> Professional Riga Guide <

> Latvian Institute <