Neighbourhood · UNESCO
Riga Old Town
Riga, Latvia
A medieval and Hanseatic old town of narrow lanes, guild halls, church spires and café squares.
Monument · Latvia · Riga
Freedom Monument
A tall limestone monument topped by a figure holding three stars, a symbol of Latvian independence.
Free to enter about 20 min
For storytellers
Why Freedom Monument matters
The Freedom Monument is the emotional centre of Latvia. It was built in the 1930s, funded largely by public donations, and survived the Soviet years despite its meaning. The figure on top, Milda, holds three gold stars above her head, which represent the historic regions of Latvia. Honour guards stand by it, and people bring flowers on national days.
Talking points
- Donations from ordinary people helped pay for the monument.
- The three stars stand for the historic regions of Latvia.
Free to read aloud or adapt in your video. Check facts that matter to you against an official source before you publish.
More in Riga
Neighbourhood · UNESCO
Alberta Street Art Nouveau District
Riga, Latvia
A street of extravagant early 20th-century facades with masks, sphinxes and swirling ornament.
Church, mosque or temple
Riga Cathedral
Riga, Latvia
A huge medieval church, famed for its great organ and mixed architecture.
Market · UNESCO
Riga Central Market
Riga, Latvia
One of Europe's largest markets, housed in five huge hangars originally built for Zeppelins.
Viewpoint
St Peter's Church
Riga, Latvia
A Gothic church with a tall spire and a lift to a tower viewing platform over the old town.
Historic site
House of the Blackheads
Riga, Latvia
An ornate gabled guildhall on the Town Hall Square, rebuilt after wartime destruction.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.