Esplanade Park

The Orthodox Cathedral was erected during Russian rule for Russian residents. In contrast to its relatively plain exterior, it is spectacular on the inside, but be aware that shorts are not allowed.

Latvian National Museum of Art is the most significant depository in the nation for works of art. Houses many works by Latvian artists.

Donated by Riga's sister city Kobe in celebration of anniversary of restoration of independence.

Small museum dedicated to Jewish life in Latvia since the 16th century. Includes information on destruction of the synagogues by the Nazis, and the Latvians that saved Jews during the Holocaust. Exhibits are in English and Latvian.

One of Latvia's national symbols. It was erected during the first independence and surprisingly never taken down by the Soviets (although laying flowers at its feet was forbidden). The statue of a woman holding three stars at the top of the monument represents Freedom embracing Latvia's regions.

The brick neogothic church of St. Getrude, despite "old" in its name, is an entirely late 19th-century creation that replaced a series of stone and wooden churches that stood there (and were repeatedly destroyed due to being outside of the city walls) since the 15th century. The unusual veracity with which the 19th-century architects interpreted the principles of Gothic architecture may make the church pass for an authentic medieval creation, both inside and out.
St. Gertrude has long-standing links with Riga's German Lutheran community, and offers religious services in German. The Latvian Lutheran community which used to share the church with the German has moved to the "new" St. Getrude church further east down Brīvības Street.