- Address: Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia;
- Area: 9425 m²;
- Sightseeing: Riga Stock Exchange, Dome Cathedral, Latvian Radio Building, UNESCO Brass Rondo.
In the heart of the old Riga , at the intersection of the streets of Shkunyu, Zirgu, Jekaba and Pils, the largest square of the capital is stretched in all its glory. These streets, like arteries, carry tourists and visitors to Dome Square. She beckons to herself with her natural ease and grandeur of Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
Dome Square - history of creation
The modern appearance of the square began to be created in the third quarter of the XIX century. It was then to improve its visualization and more favorable photogenic buildings it was decided to demolish a fairly large number of medieval buildings. In the habitual modern man's appearance of the Dome Square, they made their contribution and bombardments of the Second World War, because of which they had to restore and rebuild the buildings that are part of the architectural ensemble of the square.
During its history, Dome Square several times changed its names. Until the 16th century it was called the Cathedral of St. Mary. During the 20th century, she had to change her name several times. It was: May 15 Square, June 17 Square, Albert Bukshofden Square. Since 1987, she again returned the historical name given to her in honor of the Dome Cathedral on her.
Dome Square, Riga - description
On Dome Square there are many remarkable buildings, amazing with its magnificent architecture. The most memorable of them are:
- The Dome Cathedral is an ensemble of churches, monasteries and galleries, which dates back to the 13th century. The church regularly gives concerts of organ music. Many people come to Riga to enjoy the sound of a 25-meter organ installed within the walls of the church.
- At the end of the XIX century, the building of the Riga Stock Exchange , built in the Neo-Renaissance style, appeared here. In the Soviet years, one of the Latvian research institutes was located here, in which a large number of discoveries that were significant for technical sciences were produced. At the moment, this place is an art museum.
- Another large-scale construction is the creation of the architect P. Mandelstam - the building of the Latvian Radio . Four state radio stations broadcast here. The building is built in neoclassical style for a financial institution. On the facade is a high relief, represented in the form of male and female figures holding agricultural tools in their hands, and two children with field gifts. In the center is the coat of arms of Riga, and the entire composition is placed above the globe.
- Radio house has a building whose style is characterized as national romanticism. It is made in two colors - brown and beige, decorated with turrets and statues of a woman with a sword and shield and a small gnome. This six-story building of the architect N. Proskurin, built in 1906, was intended for the insurance house "Russia" .
- In the center of the square there is a brass rondo with notification in the national and English languages that the old city of Riga is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is under the protection of this structure.
Dome Square in Riga is decorated with flower beds and colorful dressing cafes. Its area is almost 9.5 thousand m². And this place gives the beginning of Flower Street in "Seventeen Moments of Spring", and it was also home to the famous Baker Street in the filming of the legendary films about Sherlock Holmes.
How to get to Dome Square?
Dome Square is located in the center of the Old Town . Its location is the intersection of several streets: Zirgu, Jekaba, Pils and Shkunyu. To get here, you should keep the path from the railway station, walking tour takes about 15 minutes.