Exploring RIGA, the capital of LATVIA in winter - Old Town during Christmas
Hi everyone! This is episode five of my Baltics plus Finland series in which I travel to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland. In this video, I explore Riga, the capital of Latvia. In particular, I focus on the Old Town, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Firstly, I talk about the history of Latvia and mention that present-day Latvia had several rulers over time. These include the Germans, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Swedish and the Russians. I also talk about Riga's history and mention that Bishop Albert founded the city of Riga in 1201. The Germans ruled large parts of present-day Latvia from the 13th century to circa the mid-16th century, and their influence can certainly be seen in the architecture of the Old Town.
We then visit St. Peter's Church, which was constructed and reconstructed over many centuries, but records show that it dates back to around 1209. I also notice the Latvian coffee shop right next to the church but which seats and tables outside are completely snowed under! I then walk further, noticing a supermarket as well as a Costa Coffee - something I did not quite expect!
I briefly give more information about the population of Latvia and Riga, and mention the dispute (or friendly banter?) between Vilnius and Riga regarding which city is bigger. If you have any clarity on this, let me know in the comments!
Following this, I visit the impressive House of the Blackheads dating from 1334, and notice a Christmas tree next to it - quite significant as I mention a historic fact in relation to the Riga Christmas Tree! I also talk about how the population of Riga (in collaboration with the City of Riga who provided additional funding) rebuilt the House of the Blackheads in 1999. I also visit the souvenir shop and check out the Latvian souvenirs for sale.
After this, I talk more about the economy of Latvia (including the historic contribution of wood and the continuous contribution of amber) as well as the flag, which has a fascinating story. I then stroll further in the alleys of the Old Town and ultimately stumble upon the Liela Gilde or Great Guild of Riga, which is a concert hall today. I talk about the Singing Revolution that occurred between 1987 and 1991 and how Latvia, as a nation that loves to sing, embraced song more in their struggle against the Soviet Union. I also give further information regarding the Baltic Way which occurred in the Baltics on 23 August 1989 - one of the longest human chains in history.
The Christmas Market is my next stop where I eat some local food, including a piece of bread with cabbage filling and some grey peas with bacon, onions and fat. After my culinary adventure, I visit the Cathedral of Riga, arguably the postcard of Riga and Latvia and just opposite the Christmas Market.
I then leave the Christmas Market area and visit the Three Brothers - the latter is the oldest complex of dwelling houses in the city. What is remarkable is that the three buildings are of vastly different eras. Opposite the Three Brothers there is another church I briefly visit, and I am not sure if it is St. Jacob's Cathedral or St. James' Cathedral - if you are a local, please help me out! (some sources give different information; I suspect it might be because English, unlike many other languages, often use different names for the New Testament name 'James' and the Old Testament name 'Jacob').
Following this, I visit Riga Castle, which existed since 1330 and formed a key part of the defense of the city in earlier times. Today, however, it is the residence of the President of Latvia. I decide to walk towards the Powder Tower, another key part of the defensive architecture of the city, which is also where this vlog ends.
I hope you enjoyed this video of me exploring the Old Town of Riga! If you haven't done it yet, please hit the LIKE and SUBSCRIBE buttons, and leave a comment for me in the comments section. It is completely free to do so and it really helps me out - I am just a small-time creator without a production team or marketing budget. It is just me making videos, so your free contribution really makes a huge difference.
Thanks for watching and happy exploring!
Willie
Пікірлер: 53
Sauerkraut is actually good for your stomach! Well done for your pronunciation of Rīga.
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
Yes, that is true, but I can guarantee you that cabbage and my constitution were not the best of friends :) Thanks for watching!
You have made a great trip to the Baltic Republics and it is the most enjoyable videos I have seen in a long time. Have a great time and Merry Christmas and of course happy new year and a safe one as well.
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
Wow, what a wonderful message to receive! Thank you so much. Delighted that you enjoy my content. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
@adel-711
7 ай бұрын
You are very welcome. When I go to Madeira in June, I will make great videos as well and I hope that you will enjoy them .
Dankie. Baie geniet.
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
Altyd my grootste plesier :)
Nice place my friend 😊 always take care
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
Thank you very much! Hope all is well in Greenland and Merry Christmas to you!
Very first class video from Willie awesome and hopefully to watch plenty of more!
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
I know you will enjoy my upcoming videos, Simon! Thanks as always for the support my friend
Never knew how Latvia 🇱🇻🇱🇻 is truly a beautiful country to try both visit and live in somehow coming from the Philippines. 😊❤
@willieexplore
Ай бұрын
Definitely a very interesting place, might be too cold for some people in winter though. Thanks for watching and supporting my channel!
Fascinating tour and history. Riga looks very picturesque and even more so in the snow. Always good to try some local food, especially from a Christmas market! I actually liked the look of the cabbage bread😂. Hope you and yours have a great Christmas, Willie😊🌲
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
Merry Christmas Sheila! Hope you have a wonderful festive time. I've now had the privilege to see Riga in summer and winter; a very interesting place! The Christmas Market was magic but the cabbage bread was...disappointing haha! Really did enjoy the bacon and peas though
@Lostforface
3 күн бұрын
Maybe its regional, but as local I love cabbage cake.
Willie Jy hou my besig! Baie mooi! Groete!
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
Geniet ou Tosca! Waardeer jou ondersteuning geweldig baie. Beste groete
Hey Willie Riga has a unique character to it one can definitely feel the Christmas spirit I'm not a fan of the snow myself but personally I think I'd much rather visit Riga in the summer Stay safe and keep up the good work brother 🔥🔥👊👍
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
Hello my friend, yes it is a very intriguing destination. I went in summer in 2008 and it was a very different experience - both summer and winter trips to Riga are great though. The Christmas Market was great! Stay safe on your side too and thanks for the support as always :)
You travel to such interesting places, Willie Explore! Thanks for sharing your memories.
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
Thanks for tagging along virtually, Jasper! Always my pleasure
We dont care which one is bigger, Vilnius or Rīga we have no competition between us except when it comes to sports But even in sports we root for each other because our harsh past has shown that we will always fight for each other like the brothers we are
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
Cheers my friend, others have told me there is a bit of friendly banter between the two cities ;) Thanks for watching!
@Rblock777
7 ай бұрын
@@willieexplore Thanks for visiting
You got a quality content with lots of facts. Keep it that way! Cheers!
@willieexplore
6 ай бұрын
Thanks for watching and for your support, I appreciate it!
@drznx
6 ай бұрын
@@willieexplore You' re welcome! And also, the best foreigner pronunciation of Riga with long "I' 😇
@willieexplore
6 ай бұрын
@@drznx haha that is a great compliment, I should add that to my list of achievements ;)
Caught up with the video in the end! First of all, being a Swede I can tell you this snow won’t bother them at all as it is very little in their terms! I don’t know how you are managing though, coming from South Africa and Madeira! I’m struggling here in the Uk 🇬🇧 coming back from SA! So, am I right in thinking that Riga is more beautiful than Lithuania??
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
Definitely a bit of a weather change from South Africa and Madeira! I heard that my uncle on the Kalahari farm recently experienced 54 degrees Celsius, that's how hot it is back home in some areas. It is always tricky comparing cities but I have to say I enjoyed Riga a lot :)
You usually drink kefir with the grey peas (it's a fermented milk drink, which is a bit sour and quite thick)
@willieexplore
Ай бұрын
Thanks for the additional information and for watching my video! I appreciate the support
That is not a lot of snow! When you wake up in the morning, and overnight you have received 4 feet of snow and you cannot find your car on the street, that is lots of snow :)
@willieexplore
Ай бұрын
Cheers John. When you are used to 40 degrees Celsius weather, that is a lot of snow :)
Ek vlieg more Pristina toe vir 2 weke. Hoe is dit daar? Veilig?
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
Ek dink jy gaan dit baie geniet, Johan! Kyk gerus my videos oor Kosovo as jy enigsins twyfel oor enigiets. Veiligheid was geen bekommernis vir my nie. Dit klink egter na 'n stewige reis van Suid-Afrika af - vlieg jy Istanbul en dan Pristina?
@johanswart8154
7 ай бұрын
Deur Istanbul ja.@@willieexplore
@johanswart8154
7 ай бұрын
Is nou in Pristina. Jy was reg, ek geniet dit. Die plek is stunning.@@willieexplore
@willieexplore
7 ай бұрын
@@johanswart8154 wonderlik! Geniet my maat
BTW Latvian and Austrian Flag origin has the same origin story on Wiki
@willieexplore
5 ай бұрын
Yes with Duke Leopold V. Thanks for watching!
@matissgrislis7466
5 ай бұрын
@@willieexplore Thanks for visiting my city 🤗
@willieexplore
5 ай бұрын
@@matissgrislis7466 I had a wonderful time! Paldies :)
You Mr sounds like from South Africa to me, maybe I wrong,love your videos
@willieexplore
6 ай бұрын
Thank you my friend, I am grateful for your support! Yes I'm from South Africa :)
@rasimas1
6 ай бұрын
@@willieexplore , yes you canot hide with that accent, I’m Lithuanian currently living in South France, But I spend very beautiful 15 years of my life in Johannesburg and Durban, missing that beautiful country and very lovely people and of course Biltong, lots of lovely videos you made, but you must back to the Baltic’s in the summer - completely different
@willieexplore
6 ай бұрын
@@rasimas1 Algirdas, you absolutely cannot hide the Saffa accent! Thank you so much for sharing your story here. There are many Lithuanians living in South Africa and they have contributed immensely to the country. I can believe that you miss it and hopefully you'll get a chance again to visit! Appreciate you checking out my videos and I value your support. Definitely keen to get back to the Baltics when it is a little bit warmer :)