Riga - Nightsky’s first trip to the Baltics

[Nightsky]

Thanks!

KIPSALA AND PARDAUGAVA:
Saules Akmens, National Library

This part is about Kipsala and Pardaugava, today prestigious neighbourhoods that are situated right opposite the Old Town from River Daugava. Kipsala is a small, narrow island, connected by the Old Town by the modern Vansu bridge. This is the part of Riga where the majority of modern highrises have been constructed, the most striking is Saules Akmens that is the tallest skyscraper in Latvia. Pardaugava is a neighbourhood just next to Kipsala Island, also opposite the Old Town, that is connected by the Akmens Bridge. You can also find the brand new National Library here.


Saules Akmens, situated on Kipsala island opposite the Old Town, is Swedbank's Central Office and was completed in 2004. It is the tallest skyscraper in Latvia, until Z-towers will be completed in 2015. It has 27 floors and is 123m to the top of the spire.


Saules Akmens and Vansu Bridge by night


The National Library of Latvia had almost completed construction during my visit (2013). This cool, futuristic building is scheduled to open its doors in 2014. Among the most notable architects are Gunars Birkerts. It is 68m tall.




The skyline of Kipsala island and Vansu Bridge.


The skyline of Kipsala island from the left: Z-Towers (u/c, twin towers, 130m will be Latvia's tallest), Preses Nams (77m, built 1978) and Saules Akmens (123m, built 2004).


Akmens Tilt (Stone Bridge) to Pardaugava district with National Library (left) and Radisson Daugava Hotel(right).

See many more pictures from this part:
http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Riga_Kip_Par.html

[Nightsky]

Now its time to get above the ground!

RIGA SKYLINES AND VIEWS FROM THE TV TOWER:
City Center, Old Town, Outskirts

Riga has a pretty decent skyline for being a Northern European city, with a mix of medieval towers in the old town and a few modern skyscrapers on the island Pardaugava (opposite the old town) and in the outskirts. The skyline has changed the last 10 years, since most highrises have been constructed after 2000. The TV tower on Zakusala island not very far from the center is very prominent. The tower is the tallest tower in the Baltics (3rd tallest in Europe), and it offers views of the city from afar. The tallest building is the modern curvy Saules Akmens and the old, sharp St Peter's Church (both equally tall, 123.1m) to the spire.The best view of the skyline (old and new) is from the TV tower or the Latvian Sciences Academy Building, both located a bit away from the immediate city center.

This part is about the Riga TV tower and the excellent views from it, that shows all parts of the city -center and outskirts, its skylines, rural areas and the tallest buildings.


Riga Radio & TV Tower is the tallest structure in the Baltics; 368.5m tall to the top of the spire (222m to the top of the roof). It is also the 3rd tallest TV tower in Europe, and the 11th tallest in the world. It was completed in 1986, only a few years before the fall of the Soviet rule.

The observation deck, however, is located on the two lowest floors of the structure itself at 97m height. It is situated on the Zakusala Island above the river Daugava, and is very complicated to reach the tower if don't have a car. At first you have to take the bus to a bridge above River Daugava, get off in the right direction (no signs show anything about what side), get down the bridge and walk some km on a pretty abandoned island, with almost no building or traffic (except for traffic school cars). When you reach the entrance, you have to wait for at least 20 minutes before someone receive you and let you buy a ticket, and finally the guide takes you to the diagonal (!) elevator. It felt just like the old Soviet times, but it was worth it! However, there are plans to refurbish and modernise the tower, and there were even a TV team making a documentary about the development during my visit.


Riga Radio and TV Tower from below. It has a striking, very unusual shape. There are two elevators, and one staircase in the 3 diagonal pillars.


The base of the TV tower's podium is not exactly welcoming, but redevelopment is planned.


The shadow of Riga Radio and TV Tower seen on Zakusala, a narrow small island situated in the middle of River Daugava. This is the deserted path you have to walk along ot get to the tower. There are plans to build an amusement park on the island, however.





SKYLINE VIEWS FROM THE TV TOWER:



Views from the left (click on the photo to enlarge!): Z-Towers (u/c), National Library, Preses Nams, Latvijas Televizija, Saules Akmens (Swedbank), Vansu Bridge, Akmens Bridge and 3 other bridges above River Daugava, Riga Castle, Riga Cathedral, Ministry of Agriculture Bldg, St James Cathedral, St Peter's Church, Academy of Sciences, Radisson Hotel Latvija




















Poster about the redevelopment of the tower




Riga skyline from the left: Preses Nams (77m), Latvijas Televizija (89m) and Saules Akmens (123m), Vansu Bridge (109m), Riga Cathedral, Ministry of Agriculture Bldg (92m) and St Peter's Church (123m)


See many more pictures from this part:
http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Riga_skylines1.html

[Nightsky]

RIGA SKYLINES AND VIEWS FROM THE SCIENCE ACADEMY BUILDING AND THE BRIDGES:
City Center, Old Town, Outskirts

This part is about the tall historic highrise Latvian Sciences Academy Building in Maskavas Forstate near the city center, and the views from the building. There is an outdoor observation balcony on the 17th floor, at 65m, that can be reached by elevators. Just when I reached the top a heavy rainstorm swept over the city. Fortunatley only for about 20 minutes.

THE LATVIAN SCIENCES ACADEMY BUILDING:


The Latvian Academy of Science Building was completed in 1958, during the Soviet rule. It was the first skyscraper in Latvia. It has 21 floors and the top of the spire reaches a height of 107.6m. To the right you can see the top of the TV Tower.


The Latvian Academy of Science Building is sometimes nicknamed "Stalin's wedding cake" because of its shape. It resembles Stalin's 7 gothic towers of Moscow. The outdoor observation balcony is situated on the height of 65m.







SKYLINE VIEWS FROM 17th floor of THE LATVIAN SCIENCES ACADEMY BUILDING:


Views from the left (click on the photo to enlarge!): Z-Towers (u/c), National Library, Preses Nams and Saules Akmens (Swedbank) on Pardaugava Island, Vansu Bridge above River Daugava, St Peter's Church, Riga Cathedral, St James Cathedral and Ministry of Agriculture Bldg in the old town/city center.










Central Riga and North Riga: Skyline dominated by Radisson Latvija Hotel (left) and Skanstes Virsotnes (4 bldgs to the right). In the far left corner is my hotel.














Maskavas Forstate district (pictures above)


One of the red lamps on top of the Academy Building


Riga Central Station. The neighbourhood near my hotel.




Riga TV Tower. Just when I reached the top a heavy rainstorm swept over the city. Fortunately only for about 20 minutes.


During the rainstorm I discovered the interior of the top of the building, that is in a pretty bad shape.




Rundown wooden buildings near the Science Academy Bldg


Views from the left: Z-Towers (u/c), National Library, Preses Nams, Latvijas Televizija, Saules Akmens (Swedbank), Vansu Bridge and 3 other bridges above River Daugava, Riga Castle, Riga Cathedral, Ministry of Agriculture Bldg, St James Cathedral, St Peter's Church, Academy of Sciences, Radisson Hotel Latvija

See many more pictures from this part:
http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Riga_skylines2.html

[Nightsky]

RIGA SKYLINES AND VIEWS FROM THE SCIENCE ACADEMY BUILDING AND THE BRIDGES:
City Center, Old Town, Outskirts

This part is about the tall historic highrise Latvian Sciences Academy Building in Maskavas Forstate near the city center, and the views from the building. There is an outdoor observation balcony on the 17th floor, at 65m, that can be reached by elevators. Just when I reached the top a heavy rainstorm swept over the city. Fortunatley only for about 20 minutes.

THE LATVIAN SCIENCES ACADEMY BUILDING:


The Latvian Academy of Science Building was completed in 1958, during the Soviet rule. It was the first skyscraper in Latvia. It has 21 floors and the top of the spire reaches a height of 107.6m. To the right you can see the top of the TV Tower.


The Latvian Academy of Science Building is sometimes nicknamed "Stalin's wedding cake" because of its shape. It resembles Stalin's 7 gothic towers of Moscow. The outdoor observation balcony is situated on the height of 65m.







SKYLINE VIEWS FROM 17th floor of THE LATVIAN SCIENCES ACADEMY BUILDING:


Views from the left (click on the photo to enlarge!): Z-Towers (u/c), National Library, Preses Nams and Saules Akmens (Swedbank) on Pardaugava Island, Vansu Bridge above River Daugava, St Peter's Church, Riga Cathedral, St James Cathedral and Ministry of Agriculture Bldg in the old town/city center.










Central Riga and North Riga: Skyline dominated by Radisson Latvija Hotel (left) and Skanstes Virsotnes (4 bldgs to the right). In the far left corner is my hotel.














Maskavas Forstate district (pictures above)


One of the red lamps on top of the Academy Building


Riga Central Station. The neighbourhood near my hotel.




Riga TV Tower. Just when I reached the top a heavy rainstorm swept over the city. Fortunately only for about 20 minutes.


During the rainstorm I discovered the interior of the top of the building, that is in a pretty bad shape.




Rundown wooden buildings near the Science Academy Bldg


Views from the left: Z-Towers (u/c), National Library, Preses Nams, Latvijas Televizija, Saules Akmens (Swedbank), Vansu Bridge and 3 other bridges above River Daugava, Riga Castle, Riga Cathedral, Ministry of Agriculture Bldg, St James Cathedral, St Peter's Church, Academy of Sciences, Radisson Hotel Latvija

See many more pictures from this part:
http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Riga_skylines2.html

[BrennanW]

I was in Riga in August - already wish to go back. What an interesting city with so many contrasts everywhere! Thanks for taking me back! I loved riding the old Russian ER2 trains to Jurmala for an afternoon on the beach.

[Nightsky]

Thanks for comments! Unfortunately I missed the art nouveax district, since I only had one day due to the schedule to go to Tallilnn.

SKYLINE SEEN FROM BRIDGES:


Modern Skyline on Pardaugava Island and Daugava river seen from the Island Bridge (Salu Tilts)


Skyline seen from Akmens Bridge: City center including the Old Town


Skyline seen from the Island Bridge (Salu Tilts): Maskavas forstate district dominated by the Sciences Academy Bldg and the Radisson Latvija Hotel near Freedom Square in the background.


Skyline seen from Akmens Bridge, towards Maskava Forstate with the Academy Bldg and Central Market

SEEN FROM THE BUS FROM THE AIRPORT:


Skyline of the district Pleskodale in West Riga, near the airport, dominated by Panorama Plaza (114m) from 2007 and Spice shopping mall.

See many more pictures from this part:
http://www.worldtravelimages.net/Riga_skylines2.html