Take a virtual tour of the historical centre of Riga, where you will find interactive 360° panoramic photos with detailed descriptions about Riga history and architecture, as well as three-dimensional models of the most significant Old Riga monuments

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The Freedom Monument (1931-1935) was created by sculptor Karlis Zale (1888-1942) and architect Ernests Stalbergs, built with money donated by the people. Latvia wouldn't be Latvia without Milda standing proudly over the city.

Alberta iela: Art Nouveau Architecture -Often synonymous with Paris and Prague, Riga actually boasts the finest collection of art nouveau architecture on the planet. It accounts for more than a third of central Riga's buildings. The most stunning collection of buildings is found on Alberta iela.

Riga Central Market (1930), One of Europe's largest marketplaces. You will find everything from a Zeppelin-hanger full of cheese and dairy products to counterfeit cds on sale, as well as a fascinating window in on life in Latvia.

Riga's churches – Everything from an Orthodox Cathedral to Vecriga's 13th century Lutheran Dome Cathedral.

This bridge, which crosses into the old town, is covered with locks. In Latvia when a couple get married they lock the lock to the bridge and throw away the key... a sentimental way of saying that the marriage is there to last!

The period of Swedish rule is remembered in the Swedish Gate, Zviedru varti, built at this time and the last surviving city gate. The tower, known as the Powder Tower, was first mentioned in the mid-14th century but completely destroyed by the invading Swedes. They rebuilt it in 1650 with walls 2½m thick to store gunpowder, hence its current name. It now forms part of the Latvian War Museum.

This charming piece of art, The Musicians of Bremen, was a gift from Riga's twin city in 1990. Riga's close connection with its fellow Hansa City goes back many centuries, indeed the town's 13th-century constitution was based on that of Bremen. The sculpture, which is an exact replica of the one in Bremen City Hall, depicts the four animals from the story.

The Lido restaurant and leisure complex on Krasta iela – the largest log built structure in the Baltics.

National Opera House – The focus of Latvian cultural life. World-class opera on offer in one of Europe's most magnificent opera buildings. Riga Out There can book you opera or ballet tickets.

The Occupation Museum – No visit to Latvia would be complete without a visit to this museum which tells the harrowing tale of Latvia's occupation by Soviet and German forces.

Open Ethnographic Museum – If you would like to know life once was in Latvia then the open air museum can provide you with a very good impression of the Latvia of old. Everything from windmills to churches have been moved to this preservation site on the edge of the city.

Pardaugava – Just across the river Daugava there's a whole different world of sights for the visitor to see that you might miss if you stay in old Riga.

Jurmala – Just 20kms from the capital, twenty years ago Jurmala was considered by many as the finest resort in the whole of the Soviet Union. Today its unspoilt 30 km coastline and collection of spa hotels attract visitors from all over the world.