Birkas / Cars

  • Car Bathing

    Be careful when you leave your vehicle next to your apartment house in Riga. I hope that insurance company will pay at least for car washing for this poor Honda Accord ;) Photo has been taken from Delfi.lv

  • Riga - Jurmala highway

    Riga-Jurmala highway is the most weighted highway in Latvia (traffic intensity here can reach over 40 000 vehicles per day), and especially so in summer months when many people drive to the beach and back.

  • Flooded Road

    Heavy shower flooded Riga today; the storm torn branches off the trees, so many streets, roads became blocked. Thankfully it was very short rain, hence the traffic was limited just for some hours. The picture was taken this Sunday afternoon on the exit from Riga Airport.

  • 40 Seši

    Mūkusala iela 46 - is the address of Trodeks main office. It is located between Railway bridge and Islands' bridge. An advanced mobile phone repair shop is also located here, which looks more like kinda laboratory from inside.

  • Trouble

    To broke a car on one of the main Riga streets should be very nerve wrecking situation...

  • Arhitektu iela

    Arhitektu iela (Architect Street) is one of the few small streets which connect Raina blvd and Merkela st. It carries one-way traffic towards Merkela st between Latvian University and Latvian Society.

  • Arhitektu iela

    Arhitektu iela (Architect Street) is one of the few small streets which connect Raina blvd and Merkela st. It carries one-way traffic towards Merkela st between Latvian University and Latvian Society.

  • Jelgava Orthodox Church

    Елгавский собор свв. прав. Симеона Богоприимца и Анны Пророчицы or Jelgavas Sv. Simeona un Sv. Annas pareizticīgo katedrāle is Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Jelgava town, which is located in 30 km from Riga. Initially the church was built in 1774, but then it was expanded and its current look is the same since 1892, except Khrushchyovka building on the left side, of course :)

  • Jelgava Orthodox Church

    Елгавский собор свв. прав. Симеона Богоприимца и Анны Пророчицы or Jelgavas Sv. Simeona un Sv. Annas pareizticīgo katedrāle is Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Jelgava town, which is located in 30 km from Riga. Initially the church was built in 1774, but then it was expanded and its current look is the same since 1892, except Khrushchyovka building on the left side, of course :)

  • McDrive

    McDrive is another way to entertain yourself or your girlfriend during boring night. Photo is taken at McDonald's at Krasta, which is opened 24/7 and could be considered as part of Riga nightlife

  • Рижский вокзал

    Рижский вокзал (Riga Railway Terminal) is one of 9 railway stations in Moscow. It is terminal station of Train Riga - Moscow, and hence it is directly connected with Riga Central Station :) There are not too many objects outside of Latvia, which contain word Riga in its name, so I guess I have good chances to cover them all in this blog as well :)

  • Zhiguli

    Жигули (Zhiguli) is one of the most popular Soviet cars ever, but nowadays it is very rare car in Latvia. I took this picture next to one of the many wooden buildings on Kalnciema iela.

  • BalticTaxi

    After many scandals in media regarding dishonest taxi drivers in Riga, airBaltic presented a new brand BalticTaxi. A new cab company is promoting itself as the fairest taxi in Riga.

  • Classic Cars

    The garage of 5 retro cars (e.g. BMW, Styer), many motorcycles and other classic stuff can be found in a private car museum, which is located not far from Rundale Castle in Zemgale.

  • Kvass

    A kvass street vendor still can be found in Ilguciems at Daugavgrivas street. BTW, what model of Mercedes Benz is parked next to the kvas trailer tank?

  • Auto Exotica 2010

    Auto Exotica is an annual Car Show, which is being held at Kipsala Hall.The official name is Baltic International Motorshow Riga 2010. A lot of nice cars, bikes and girls were taken by Sveta.

  • Lido

    Lido Restaurant at Krasta is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Riga. National Latvian cuisine, local own brewing and live music can be found in Lido. It was opened in 1999 and initially was one of the cheapest food place in Riga. Indeed, you could eat as much as you can for 1-2 Lats (3-4 EUR), then times has been changed and Lido became a place with average prices. After the crisis came, Lido was one of the first companies who had reduced their prices, almost in twice.

  • City buzz

    Barona street is one of busiest Riga centre streets. It stretches more than 3 kilometres and is filled with beautiful buildings, many shops, cafes etc. There were 2 versions of which centre street will be walking street in the future - Barona street or Tērbatas street. Now the plans are that it will be Tērbatas street though.

  • Car parade on Jūrmala beach

    Where else cars could look as good as on sea horizon in the background? This car parade with both antique and modern, small and big cars were organized in 2008 on the beach of Riga's neighbouring seaside resort town Jūrmala and I just happened to be there at the right time without even previously knowing about the parade. Btw, in my opinion, Jūrmala as a separate city is a mistake - I regard it being inseparable part of Riga as it historically was, that's why you'll find pictures from Jūrmala in this blog time by time. If you are interested to take a look on excellent photo gallery of [..]

  • Southern bridge

    Riga's Southern bridge - largest construction project of not only Latvia but whole Baltic states for the past 20 years. Many were worried about it's safety, even famous Russian astrologist Pavel Globa predicted the possible collapse of the bridge in 3-4 months time after it's opening. More than 16 months has already passed now, but the bridge is in it's place.

  • City buzz

    Barona street is one of busiest Riga centre streets. It stretches more than 3 kilometres and is filled with beautiful buildings, many shops, cafes etc. There were 2 versions of which centre street will be walking street in the future - Barona street or Tērbatas street. Officials have decided that it will be Tērbatas street though.

  • Car parade on Jūrmala beach

    Where else cars could look as good as on sea horizon in the background? This car parade with both antique and modern, small and big cars were organized in 2008 on the beach of Riga's neighbouring seaside resort town Jūrmala and I just happened to be there at the right time without even previously knowing about the parade. Btw, in my opinion, Jūrmala as a separate city is a mistake - I regard it being inseparable part of Riga as it historically was, that's why you'll find pictures from Jūrmala in this blog time by time. If you are interested to take a look on excellent photo gallery of [..]

  • Southern bridge

    Riga's Southern bridge - largest construction project of not only Latvia but whole Baltic states for the past 20 years. Many were worried about it's safety, even famous Russian astrologist Pavel Globa predicted the possible collapse of the bridge in 3-4 months time after it's opening. More than 16 months has already passed now, but the bridge is in it's place.

  • Winter Vs Spring

    Winter doesn't want to leave yet and such a strong snowfall was in Riga on Friday (with the largest snowflakes I have ever seen). Winter is literally fighting with spring right now, the temperature one day is some degree over zero, the other day - below. Snow has started to melt, and people are nervous about possible floods when the ice in rivers will start to do the same. So much snow and ice as in this winter we haven't had at least some 20 years.

  • Crystal

    Crystal Club is located on Lacplesa iela, in place of former cinema Kino 52. Since the opening in 2008 it's gaining some popularity among people from high society, mostly Russians. Despite free entrance, all Crystal's visitors look fancy and glamorous.

  • Colonnade

    Colonnade is a nightclub in Riga. It is located on Dzirnavu iela, just next to Hotel Latvia and Essential club. It was opened in 2008, just after fire in La rocca, therefore a lot of "party people" moved to Colonnade. Despite free entrance, good location and good house/dance music, Colonnade didn't become one of the most popular Riga clubs.

  • Refueling

    Ryanair Boeing is being refueled by an aviation fuel truck Mercedes-Benz while passengers are boarding. No time to waste. 89% of Ryanair's flights are on-time! I guess the rest 11% are simply canceled flights :)

  • La Rocca

    La Rocca is the biggest and one of the most famous night clubs in Riga. It is located on Brivibas iela. La Rocca was opened in 2000 in the building of former Operetta Theatre. In 2007 La Rocca was on fire, but since the end of 2008 La Rocca is open again. La Rocca consists of 3 dance floors Red Square, RnB Bar and Main arena with different music styles. Also it shares the same roof with Studio 69 and many other entertainment facilities. Although you can visit it for additional entrance fee. Regular LaRocca visitor's age is between 16 and 21, hence prices in bar are relatively low if we compare [..]

  • I Love Riga Photos - Monthly Theme

    5 years passed since Eric Tenin started his Paris Daily Photo, the very first City Daily Photo blog. Eric's photo I love PDP inspired me to use the Tenin's Technique. In fact Riga Daily Photo was inspired not only by Paris, but also by Brain's New York, which was started on 17 March 2006. Today's Photo is tribute to celebrate this anniversary. The theme is the Tenin Technique. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

  • Cinema

    The main Cinema in Riga is Forum cinemas, which is located on the street of 13th January. Cinema was opened in 2003 as the most advanced cinema in Eastern Europe. 14 movie halls, new technologies, world premiers and perfect location lead to the closure of almost all other Riga cinemas.

  • 3-way Junction

    T intersection of 11. Novembra krastmala and 13. Janvara iela is busy even at night time. It is one of the most annoying traffic bottlenecks in Riga.The only good thing about this place is the view towards Railway Bridge.

  • Lauvas Nams

    Cozy restaurant Lauvas Nams, which is located on Brivibas iela, is not only a good place to have lunch. Lauvas Names could be considered as well as part of Riga night life. Because it is open 24/7, and it became popular destination to go of many party people after night at clubs.

  • Erots

    Exhibition Erots 2010 is being held this weekend at Kipsala hall. Erots stands for sex shops, tattoos and piercings artists, live performance by pornostars and everything else related to erotics. It is said that Erots is the only regular Erotic Exhibition in Baltic States. In fact there is nothing special, so if you have missed Erots, then you can always go to Amsterdam any day and the experience there will be much better :)

  • Minsterejas iela

    Minsterejas iela (Minster street) was formed in 17th century when bed of Ridzene river has been drained and converted into two new streets - Kaleju and Minsterejas. In 1921 Minsterejas street was renamed into Klosterbaznīcas iela (Cloister Church street) for two years, but then renamed back.

  • Center Police

    Riga 1st Police Department of Central area is sharing the same building with Fire Department. First department is one of the oldest in Riga. The building itself was built in 1886 on Matisa street. History of Riga police dates from the beginning of 1880s, when policemen started to patrol busy streets and places like markets, stations, hotels. Initially policemen were only Germans, who very rarely could speak Latvian or Russian, therefore their efficiency was extremely low. After some years Riga council began to draft into police the retired soldiers, who were able to speak language of the [..]

  • Bruņinieku iela

    Bruņinieku iela (Knight street) looks like rural road in winter, but it is one of the most important streets. It starts next from Krisjana Valdemara iela, flows through the whole center and ends next to railway station Vagonu Parks. During Soviet times it held another name - Sarkanarmijas iela (Red Army Street) It has many wooden buildings, Riga First Hospital is also located on Bruninieku iela.

  • Bastion Hill

    Bastejkalns (Bastion Hill) is snowed under. Photo is taken from Zigfrīda Annas Meierovica boulvard.

  • Roodey

    Roodey or Roadey, whatever. I hate this photo because it was taken during freezing evening when I was on Kalnciema bridge with already frozen hands, so I couldn't properly hold a camera lens cover and dropped it down there :( Now I'm shocked that such a little piece of plastic costs more than 20 EUR.

  • Nacionalais teatris

    Latvijas Nacionālais teātris (Latvian National Theater) was officially opened in 1902 as second city theater after German theater. Many times National Theater was place of main political events like in 1918 here was declared the independence of Latvia.

  • Sleeping Cars

    Mercedes-Benz is sleeping under snow among other cars at trading yard in Purvciems. They are waiting for a new happy owner...