Riga, Latvia...16th June

Driving into Riga from the north-east into the outer city zone, there is a sense of decay. the grass verges are unkempt, a lot of empty buildings and the road surface becomes worse and worse becoming terrible a couple of kilometres from the city centre. My satnav may have decided to show me the worst roads in Riga, but i doubt it. I know it is a Sunday and most places in England have that Sunday afternoon feeling but the sense of decline is palpable. I was half thinking that if the hotel was not what I expected then I wold carry on to Lithuania. 

Found the hotel and the published car space and relaxed.. Modern, good reception arrival and the room well designed; even white slippers and a new iron and board! What more can you want from a hotel... 

The hotel is right on the edge of the old town, which is now a UNESCO world heritage site and the buildings surrounding the hotel are being refurbished/re-constructed.

I am visiting the three Baltic State capitals and will write a comparison when in Vilnius. The old towns of Tallinn and Riga are so different, although they are only 160 miles apart. Naturally history, people and culture is responsible for the contrast, but both are located on the Baltic Sea and have had similar wars, invasions throughout history and close associations with each other but so far both cities are distinct. 

Panorama from the top of the hotel

I like the balancing of cupolas on top of each other..

Riga's version of the one of the Seven Sisters....

Old town..

This modern intervention is in the heart of the old town... I was probably the only person taking photos of this building but it is really well designed and detailed. The plane corner has been properly designed and works, unlike Herzog De Mueron's Tate Modern building. Many of the historical buildings are constructed using red brick.

While there is rigour in the detailing, there is also whimsy..... 

I wonder if the gate architect had to justify the curvy flourish above the arch.. 

Red brick....

Vista view 

Building refurbishment slowly creeping along the street....

I hope the refurbishment of this building finishes soon; it's good that it has a new roof.
The roof is multi storied and must have been used for storage. the small jutting roof at the top of the gable would have had a hoist to lift goods to each level...