If you read the post about Tallinn, you already know the story about how we took a trip based upon a waiter’s recommendation. On that trip, we spent several days in Riga, Latvia and encountered unexpected and spectacular Art Nouveau beauty – lots of it. Let’s take a look.

The Hotel Neiburgs is a great place to start. This is a close-up of the facade. It promises pretty great things. And delivers, by the way. If you go to Riga, consider staying here. We did and loved it – wonderful, old-world service with a modern flair, a great breakfast included in our package, and walking convenience. No regrets. Here are a couple more shots of the front of the hotel:

Out into the City

Riga has much to offer – a wonderful old town, a bustling modern section, beautiful parks, and – the subject of this post – a part of town where the Art Nouveau buildings and ornamentation will simply blow you away.

I can’t encounter Art Nouveau without wondering about the folks who were alive then. How and why did they create these designs? How did others react to them? What, for instance, were they thinking when they fashioned this:

Or what went through their minds when they looked at it?

It was the turn of a new century; there was an extravagance of spirit, sometimes manifested by foolishness. This was the time, remember, when there was a movement in the US Congress to abolish the patent office because everything that could be invented had already been invented.

Buildings that look like they began with baroque influence added fanciful ornamentation. Riga certainly has its share – there may be more Art Nouveau beauty in Riga than anywhere else in the world.

Art Nouveau and Ordinary Life

As the 19th century rolled into the 20th, Riga boomed – financially speaking – and embraced the Art Nouveau movement. Even typically staid edifices sported decor that would have been unthinkable a few years earlier.

A turn-of-the-century performance house gives a hint of the more elaborate structures down the street and around the corner:

And they do not disappoint.

Sometimes, there is so much going on that you need to make your focus a little narrower to appreciate the detail.

Even the plainest corner can boast statuary:

Like I mentioned, Latvia was a financial powerhouse when 1899 flipped over to 1900, and this was long before the communist occupation. You can imagine folks going to work in some of these places, proud of their success, their wealth, and the freedom to express themselves in art and architecture.

Even in some areas of Riga that have not survived in such pristine condition you can see Art Nouveau beauty in what otherwise might be mundane features:

And, before we continue with the more spectacular ornamentation, I just have to throw this in:

The next few pics illustrate why Riga is so famous for Art Nouveau beauty and why strolling around town is a fantastic way to spend a day.

I’ll repeat: Riga is an amazing city with much to offer. If your adventures have not yet taken you there, I hope they will. And while you’re there, take the time to seek out and enjoy its Art Nouveau Beauty. You’ll be glad you did!

Thanks, so much for reading and sharing this trip with us. We just love traveling with you! If you enjoyed it, too, please let us know and tell your friends.

Best –

Dan