Russo-Balt factory

Two gas storage buildings from 1882 and 1901 (end of Matīsa iela) are landmarks of the old gas factory in Riga. These enormous structures reaching 40 m in diameter are probably the largest buildings of their kind in Eastern Europe. Note the pressure meter that mimics a clock.

Neogothic church from 1885 marks the center of Riga's main industrial neighbourhood. Most of the mural paintings are from 1930s and represent the art of independent Latvia before World War II.

These beautiful water towers were built by Oto Intce and Rūdolfs Frišs in 1896–1897 and were the first water towers built in Riga. Surprisingly, one of these is the only water tower still in use to this day. They are known among locals as Anna and Zhanna (Ann and Joan). Legend has it that Anna was a skilled quack in medieval Riga. She was accused of being a witch and burnt to death. This caused her sister Zhanna to commit suicide. Their ashes were brought to a place that was considered wicked, which is exactly the water towers are located today. This place is indeed quite strange and renowned for its remoteness dominated by a huge cemetery and a prison.

Light neo-Romanic building from 1867 looks completely alien to its dark industrial neighborhood.

Matisa cemetery adjacent to the water towers has an interesting monument to the Latvian revolutionary heroes of the Russian Revolution of 1905. The monument was built in 1956-59 and consists of a long wall with haut-relief of Latvian revolutionaries and some poets' epitaphs. The cemetery also has a small monument to the victims of the 1940-1941 period of the Soviet occupation.

Another church on the same cemetery. Build of wood in 1812-15 in a somewhat awkward style with 5 small domes sitting on a massive drum.