Historical photos of Riga dating from the early 1900's to post second world war. Please click on the thumbnails to view a larger version of the image. The gallery will give you an insight in to Latvia's rather turbulent and
traumatic history.

Parade of the Latvian Armed Forces in Esplanade. Late 1930s. View of Riga from Zakusala (Rabbits Island). In 1939 (the time of the picture) the island was a small rural area right in the middle of Riga. After construction of the Headquarters of the National Television in 1980s the island is as urban as the rest of World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia. World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia. World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia. World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia. World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia. Timber floating. 1920s. One of the first photographic images of Riga: A view from Bastejkalns. 1860sFrozen Daugava in 1910. Daugavmala market. The picture is taken in the last day of its existence. 1930. As you can see, Shell was widely known in Riga even in the early 20s century. World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia. Crossbreed of Brivibas and Elizabetes streets in 1930s. Now there is Reval Hotel at the place of the house to the left (near the car). View of Riga skyline from Arkadijas garden (park) in Pardaugava. Early 20th century. The Town Hall. 1900s. Old Riga. 1920s. View of Riga. Early 20th century. Riga tram drivers. 1904. View of what is presently 13.Janvara Street. 1930. Daugavmala market. The picture is taken in the last day of its existence. 1930. View of what is presently 13.Janvara Street. 1930. Timber prepared for processing. Cutting of ice. 1920s. Monument of Barclay de Tolli, Russian General Feld Marshall of Italian origin who fought against Napoleon in 1812. The picture is taken 1910. The monument was later removed. Now there is a serious discussion about possible restoration of deTolli's monumenView of what is presently 13.Janvara Street. 1930. Bird's view of Riga, taken presumably from the tower of Doms cathedral. 1930s. Summer, 1991. The Latvian Parliament. Block houses of Riga. 1960s. No comments. The Town Hall Square in late 1950s. As you can see, the St.Peter's Church lacks its tower which was destroyed in the 2WW and restored in 1960s. There is no Melngalvju nams (Blackhead House) and the Town Hall itself which was also destroyed during the 2WW.Liberty Monument in 1949. During Russian occupation there were plans to take it down. In 1944 when Red Army occupied Riga, a military aircraft was sent to destroy the monument - the symbol of Latvian independence. The Russian pilot (obviously, not from RiLivu Square in 1947. Livu Square in 1945. World War 2 (WW2). WW2 in Riga. World War 2 (WW2). A rare picture of St. Peter's Church in flames, June, 1941. In several seconds the tower collapsed. It was restored only in 1960s. Town Hall's Square in August, 1940. A demonstration organized by Russian NKVD to show peoples support for Latvia's incorporation in the USSR. View of Riga Central Railway Terminal. 1930. Railway bridge and 'The Iron' bridge. 1930. Bridge over Daugava. 1920s. Alexander street in early 1900. Postmen. Late 1920s. Monument of the Russian tsar Peter the Great. It was set up in 1910, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Russian rool in Riga previously governed by Sweden. Opening of the monument of the Russian tsar Peter the Great. 1910. It was attended by the Russian tsar Nicholas II. Repair works in Aspazijas boulevard. 1930. The darkest day of the Latvian history - Russian Army occupies Latvia in June 17, 1940. The occupation lasted one year until 1941 when Germans occupied Latvia. During that year many innocent Latvian were killed and sent to Siberia. National uprising in 1987. Russian Militia is ready to act. Daugavmala market. The picture is taken in the last day of its existance. 1930. Latvian volunteers (later to become the famous Latvian Riflemen who fought for the Latvian independence) in 1915. Parade of the Latvian Armed Forces in Esplanade. Late 1930s. Parade of the Latvian Armed Forces in Esplanade. Late 1930s. Clearing a place for the Doms Square in 1936. It was the time when the Latvian President Karlis Ulmanis was obsessed with idea of creating new Riga. Many old (German style) buildings were torn down and new ones (in style of 1930s) built. Funeral of Oskars Kalpaks (the first Commander of the Latvian Armed Forces). 1919. World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia. Cutting of ice. 1920s. Cutting of ice. 1920s. Brivibas street. The picture was taken in 1910 when it was Alexander street. Later it was Hitlers Stase, then Lenins street and now - Brivibas (Freedom's) street. The monument at the background is Peter the Great. Now there is the Liberty Monument exactlyNational uprising June 14th,1987. Silent meeting at the Liberty monument to remember those sent to Siberia in June 14th, 1941. This public event was of global importance since it was the first demonstration which dared to review the Soviet past. In a way World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia. World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia. The Doms Cathedral and the houses surrounding it in early 1930s. In 1936 these houses were torn down and the place was cleared for what is now Doms Square. Riga skyline and a ship. 1920s.Pontoon bridge over Daugava in 1930. Now there is Akmens tilts (Stone bridge) at the same place. World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia. British Embassy in Raina boulevard. 1930. Now there is the Embassy of France in the same building. Repair works in Aspazijas boulevard near Opera. 1930. Valnu iela (Wall street). Early 1920s. World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia. World War 2 (WW2). Germans occupy Riga in July 1, 1941. Many Latvians greeted them as liberators since only a week before Russian NKVD carried out mass deportation of thousands of innocent Latvians and Jews to Siberia.
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