Old Riga (5)

Old Riga is a pearl of the city. This magnificent heritage impress as local inhabitans as visitors. Old renovated buildins creates inimitable atmosphere. Old Riga has many beautiful sightseengs, among them St. Peter's church? symbol of the city, Dome cathedral, Powder tower and many narrow beautiful streets.

The centrepiece of Riga and hallowed ground for the Latvian nation.   
Ironically, the very spot occupied by the symbol of Latvian indepen­dence once served as the foundation for a giant statue of Peter the Great, the 18th-century subjugator of Latvia. The monumen­tal statue went missing during World War I, and it wasn't until 1935 that the present shrine to freedom was erected.

Bastejkalns (Bastion Hill), Riga's second highest hill at a towering 16m (52ft) above sea level, is on the other side of the canal. It may not be tall by European standards, but it did not even exist before the 1860s. When the city's ancient walls and ramparts were demolished, a place in which to store the debris was needed. The creation of a park with a scenic hill at its centre seemed like a logical idea, and Bas­tion Hill was born.
Several paths lead to the top, which provides excellent views of  
the surrounding sights in the winter months. During the summer, however, hundred-year-old trees obscure many of the vistas. The park has been remodelled over the years, and some of its fortified slopes are adorned with ancient treasures that became casualties of war. Cannons, limestone busts and other curiosities recovered from damaged buildings following World War II were embedded in its walls for posterity.