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WEDLATVIA-00 : Our Honeymoon part 3 - Riga, Latvia (Jul/05) |
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A nice road in Latvia on our way to Riga with tall trees on both sides of the road.
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WEDSAULKRASTI-01 : Our Honeymoon part 3 - Riga, Latvia (Jul/05) |
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Peterupes Lutheran church at Saulkrasti (Latvia). According to historical documents, in the beginning of German invasion in the territory of Latvia (13th century), the chapel was built on the hill on the bank of the Peterupe river. This chapel was named after St. Peter. After years nearby the church and pastor's house grew the little village now known as Peterupe - one of the municipal parts of Saulkrasti town rural area.
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WEDSAULKRASTI-02 : Our Honeymoon part 3 - Riga, Latvia (Jul/05) |
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Fire station and a parked fire engine at Saulkrasti.
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WEDRIGA-03 : Our Honeymoon part 3 - Riga, Latvia (Jul/05) |
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We are now in Riga , (Tue, 12Jun 2005). This is a large square situated just outside Riga old town and there is this famous statue called "Brivibas piemineklis", that is Monument of Freedom. It was built after the Soviet Occupation 'officially' left from Latvia in 21st August 1991
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WEDRIGA-04 : Our Honeymoon part 3 - Riga, Latvia (Jul/05) |
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This is the old town city hall square where there is the Church of Saint Peter, the town hall and the "House of the black heads" (right). The latter 2 buildings looks new and in good shape because they were been restored in 1999 but originally were built in the 14th century (1334).
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WEDRIGA-05 : Our Honeymoon part 3 - Riga, Latvia (Jul/05) |
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Part of the tower of St Peter's church and the monument of Roland in the old town square. In the 14th century Roland statues appeared all over Northern Germany as a symbol of justice and freedom.
Roland was considered to be a just judge, defender of the accused and therefore his statue was placed in Town Hall square. His wooden statue-a brave knight figure-served as a moving target during the tournaments, which were popular in the 15th century. As a result of "injuries" sustained during these, the statue had to be repaired several times and on December 11, 1896 a 6.3m-high stone statue designed by Vilhelm Neumann and August Volz replaced it. Today this statue is a replica. It is interesting to learn that the pointed end of Rolands' sword was the point from which different distances in Riga and Latvia were counted.
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WEDRIGA-06 : Our Honeymoon part 3 - Riga, Latvia (Jul/05) |
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Another large square statue beside the dome cathedral(not shown) where at the back side there are several restaurants, bars and pubs. Colourful buildings line the streets.
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WEDRIGA-07 : Our Honeymoon part 3 - Riga, Latvia (Jul/05) |
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Back to the old town square - a detailed photo of the town hall (left) and the house of black heads ( Melngalvju nams in Latvian). Both buildings are of the Medieval era, (14th century) and were totally destroyed in 1941 during World War II. Their rebuilding started in 1995 and was finished in 1999. The exterior of the building was well restored as the original, but the interior valuables were all lost.
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WEDRIGA-08 : Our Honeymoon part 3 - Riga, Latvia (Jul/05) |
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Close up photo of the house of blackheads with its statues of several gods and coat of arms of important noble families of the 14th century. At the top there is the beautiful azure/gold date+time clock as it was before destruction.
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WEDRIGA-09 : Our Honeymoon part 3 - Riga, Latvia (Jul/05) |
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Close up photo of the door of the house of blackheads. On the left there is a depiction of Holy Mary and baby Jesus and on the right a depiction of the blackhead. Note that although the term blackheads is used, they were not black people - it is just their 'nick'
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