Birkas / Winter

  • National Art Museum

    A bit chilling picture in this hot weather time... This large Historism building was the first one in Baltic states built with a purpose to be the museum. It is standing on Valdemāra street and is one of few Riga buildings which is like a small palace. It houses more than 52,000 works of art of the Baltic area from the middle of the 18th century up until the present time.

  • Winter wonderland

    Riga looked beautiful in last winter with thick snow and night's lighting.

  • Funny signs

    I completely forgot and thus didn't participated in City Daily photo Theme day of June which was "Funny signs". However, I'm offering some of my Riga collection funny signs today. The above one, the inscript says (I hope I will translate it correctly): "Is it allowed to leave a car in front of us? Of course, not!" And a second one, it looks like dogs have their own traffic signs in Riga, and here their traffic is not allowed :D (is it just a regular street pavement, btw).

  • Winter wonderland

    Riga looked beautiful in last winter with thick snow and night's lighting.

  • Funny signs

    I completely forgot and thus didn't participated in City Daily photo Theme day of June which was "Funny signs". However, I'm offering some of my Riga collection funny signs today. The above one, the inscript says (I hope I will translate it correctly): "Is it allowed to leave a car in front of us? Of course, not!" And a second one, it looks like dogs have their own traffic signs in Riga, and here their traffic is not allowed :D (is it just a regular street pavement, btw).

  • Time for coffee

    In the beautiful warm days of spring we can carelessly take some look back to winter... Hot drink is one of the options how to warm up yourself during walk through city's centre in a cold winter day.

  • Riga central part

    Riga centre, Brīvības street to the right. Riga Central Library is the commieblockish white building in the middle.

  • Girl and the city

    On Elizabetes street. I catched hers face just for the second, until she noticed me photographing, she immediately turned away.

  • Bye, bye winter!

    To say "bye, bye!" to the coldest winter in 21st Century in Latvia, which has ended now. Many disliked it, but I was one of those who loved the thick snow, coldness and sunny days (however, most them were in January, February and March was totally grey again and then I started to long after spring).

  • Bye, bye winter!

    To say "bye, bye!" to the coldest winter in 21st Century in Latvia, which has ended now. Many disliked it, but I was one of those who loved the thick snow, coldness and sunny days (however, most them were in January, February and March was totally grey again and then I started to long after spring).

  • Girl and the city

    On Elizabetes street. I catched hers face just for the second, until she noticed me photographing, she immediately turned away.

  • 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.

  • Mirage in snowfall

    "Feel the sun!" - an advertisement which promotes vacations in Turkey. The surrounding weather is the best context for an advertiser to create the desired effect, I guess. Just one "little" problem - after the economic breakdown, most of us can't afford to travel anymore.

  • Winter Fishing

    Extreme Fishing in the last days of winter at Agenskalna licis

  • Entrance to Mārupe

    Mārupe (Mara's river) is one of the Riga's satellite towns, located at the south-west border, next to Airport. Town was founded in 1925 and named after river of almost the same name Nowadays Marupe has reputation as an area for families with mid-high income. Total population is 5,500 people. Also it is one of the most fast growing towns in Latvia, total population has been increased more than in 3 times for the last 10 years.

  • Anti-Aircraft Base

    Anti-Aircraft defense base is located in Marupe. It has some strange constructions and of course radars. It was built during Soviet times in order to protect airspace over Riga. Taking close-up pictures is forbidden because the military base is still operating.

  • Latvia

    NASA satellite photo of winter in Latvia and neighbour countries Estonia, Russia, Belarus, Lithuania, Sweden. A short ice free strip in the gulf of Riga is made in order to make possible ferry traffic. Psst, Riga is in the very center :)

  • Hangars

    Pavilions of Central Market is remarkable sight of Riga since the market grand opening in 1930. The famous urban legend is that these pavilions were used as hangars for dirigibles before. In fact they were built using reinforcing steel, which were only designed for hangars, but never used so. Nowadays Riga Market is the biggest in Europe and has been declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the picture are 2 of 5 market's hangars - vegetable and fish pavilion.

  • Bowlero

    Bowlero is an entertainment complex next to Spice Shopping Mall. It was opened in 2002. Bowlero is has more than 20 bowling alleys, billiard aka pool tables, restaurant and even playground for kids.

  • Arena

    Arēna Rīga (Arena Riga) is the biggest indoor venue in Riga. The total capacity is 15,000 visitors. It was built in 2006 as main arena for Ice Hockey World Championship. Now it is permanent home for several hockey and basketball teams, including Riga Dinamo, ASK Riga, Barons LMT. It also the main arena for huge concerts and music events like Sensation White.

  • 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 :)

  • Rest in Peace

    Pleskodāles Kapi (Pleskodale Cemetery) was established by Martina baznica in 1881 as result of tension with Sveta Jana Baznica for right to perform requiem service. Before 1881 Marina baznica didn't have that right in order to keep high profit of Sveta Jana Baznica. The cemetery is still active and performing burial of Lutheran and Catholic believers. The procedure's price is not less than 1000 EUR per body and may rise up to several thousands.

  • Mārupe Tower

    Mārupes ūdenstornis (Marupe Water tower) was built in 2002. The tower's height is 58 meters, hence it is the most tallest building in Marupe. Shortly after being built the Water tower became the most recognizable reference point in the whole area.

  • Mateja baznīca

    Rīgas Mateja baptistu baznīca (Riga St. Matthew Baptist Church) is one of 83 Baptist churches in Latvia. Baptist movement is a relatively old branch from Anglican Church. Interesting fact is that Baptists churches are very autonomous and decentralized, hence they differ widely from one another in what they believe. The only common custom for all baptists is that believer get baptized only in adult age and because of own will. The building itself was built in 1902 on Matthew street in neo-romanticism style.

  • 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.

  • Fighting Icicles

    I have never thought that removing icicles and cleaning roofs from the snow is so important process. This year my flat on the last floor get flooded because of the rapidly melted ice and snow. And the insurance company says it's not their case :(

  • Arsenāla iela 3

    Building located in Old Town at Arsenāla iela 3 is another good example of German half-timbered houses. Let this colorful picture will devoted to 8h of March :)

  • Klostera iela

    Klostera iela (Monastery street) is 180 meters long street in Old Town, lying next to Latvian Parliament. During the last century this street had different names like Muzeju iela and Vestures iela. Klostera street is also address of Magdalene's Church

  • 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.

  • Water Leak

    Yesterday almost a half of Riga inhabitants were without water supply, because of a catastrophic pipe leak near Brasa Railway station. Railway tracks were covered with 40cm (1,3 feet) water layer and looked more like a water channel or a small river.

  • Things I Would Love:

    Having lunch with Lou Lou more oftenDecorating apartmentsSleeping inWarm weather OR a snow day!An animal to holdPhotography classes & a bag for my cameraPlanting my garden againTo ride a bicycle Teaching danceA vacationAn inspirational tattoo ideaTo own a swingset.More coffee/tea dates with my lovely girlsFort parties To go back to Namibia with someone I loveCooking with Phoebe more

  • 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.

  • Brīvības gatve

    Brīvības gatve (Freedom Highroad) is the continuation of Brivibas street, which starts at Sport's Academy, runs along Smerla forest, Jugla neighborhood and terminates at Riga's border towards Sigulda town. Before Riga's borders extension in 1935, this road was part of Vidzemes šoseja (Vidzeme Highway)

  • Women's Monastery

    Рижский женский монастырь Св. Сергия or Rīgas Sv. Trijādības Sergija sieviešu klosteris (Riga St. Trinity Sergius Women's Orthodox Monastery) was opened in 1894. Despite it is located in the very center of Riga, on Kr Barona street, only few know that it does exist. Monastery is hidden behind the thick trees and modest wooden fence next to Holy Trinity Cathedral. I guess it is very calm and sacred place protected by the most tallest walls in the center. It is hard to believe that in the middle of vainglorious and lascivious city some people can keep a vow.

  • Bar I love you

    I am interested what people were thinking of when they named a bar I love you, which is located on Aldaru iela. The bar itself very similar to Krogs Aptieka. Generally good prices, Latvian people, friendly culture. See also I Love you writing at AB Dambis

  • Bridge in Smog

    It is another photo taken from Swedbank office during Riga Smog in the end of January. On the photo it is clearly visible that smog was at level of 50 meters, basically the middle of Shroud Bridge

  • Over the snowdrifts

    6 months passed since I posted the photo of the most interesting on-going building in Latvia. See the all time line of the LNB Building. Due all-winter-long abundant snowfalls, the snowdrifts are more than 1 meter high almost everywhere in Riga

  • Deadheads Hunters

    23th February is Defender of the Fatherland Day (День защитника Отечества) in many ex Soviet countries. Fortunately in Latvia it has not legal status. Otherwise my patriotism would look for answer, who is the defender of Latvia? And from who? The guys on the photo are doing very serious job, they are hunters of deadheads in tramways, aka Controllers. They fight against crime everyday, perhaps they are defenders? :) BTW, the price for single use ticket has grown for almost 50% since last 6 months. Now it is 0,70Ls (1 EUR)

  • Winter Panorama

    About one and a half year ago I have already took a picture of panoramic view from VEF Tower. In fact, there are no changes in Riga since then, I mean no new buildings were built, so the photo is almost the same, just a little bit more wider.

  • Saint Albert's Catholic Church

    Rīgas Svētā Alberta baznīca (Riga St. Albert's Roman Catholic Church) is built on Liepajas iela in 1901, in the year when Riga became 700 years old. I guess it is named after Bishop Albert, the founder of Riga, although he was never canonized. Saint Albert's church is the biggest Catholic church in Latvia, it is crowned with baroque towers. Regular divine services are in Latvian and Polish languages.