Riga’s stunning art nouveau architecture

">Written by Kimberly SullivanWelcome to my blog, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

While planning a trip to Latvia’s capital, I was very surprised to read that the historic center of Latvia boasts the largest collection of art nouveau buildings in Europe.

I have lived in both Prague and Vienna and both cities impress visitors with their stunning art nouveau architecture. The work of Czech artist Alphonse Mucha is even credited with popularizing the movement, so I was surprised to learn that it was actually Riga offering the widest range of buildings in this whimsical and beautiful style.

Art nouveau, also known as Jugendstil (from German) or Liberty (the name used in Italy), was most popular at the turn of the 20th century.

The height of its popularity happens to coincide with a major urban development project in Riga. Between 1896 and 1913, the city expanded outside the boundaries of the medieval center. This urban planning effort resulted in a new circle of pleasant parks surrounded with new housing constructed in what was soon to become the city’s ubiquitous art nouveau style. Riga’s new constructions were mainly created by German, Austrian and Finnish architects.

photo courtesy of www.riga-life.com

Following the failed 1905 revolution, a wave of nationalism swept through Riga. The art nouveau style was affected, too, with distinctly Latvian design elements – such as Latvian folk elements and local building materials – finding their way into building projects.  The movement was known as National Romanticism.

Photo courtesy of bonsaiinformation

In 1997, Riga was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site , in part for what UNESCO calls Riga’s “outstanding universal value by virtue of the quality and the quantity of its Art Nouveau/Jugendstil architecture, which is unparalleled anywhere in the world.”

If you’re planning a trip to Riga you can find the best hotels deals using the HotelsCombined pirce comparison site.

Share and Enjoy:This entry was postedon Thursday, December 30th, 2010 at 8:00 amand is filed under Culture, Latvia.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Related posts:Podcast 2 January 2011: Gran Canaria, New Year’s Fireworks, Riga’s Art Nouveau Architecture, Munich Toy Museum & Aran IslandsThe Architecture of RotterdamSome favourite things to see in Riga, LatviaEurope’s Five Best Off-Beat CathedralsRiga, Latvia from a bird’s eye perspective2 Responses to “” Jean Brookes on December 30th, 2010 at 10:54 am

Thank you for an interesting article. My father was born there, but I have yet to visit. It is very tempting.

John on December 30th, 2010 at 3:26 pm

I’m also surprised, although I did enjoy the Art Nouveau architecture in Riga.

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail

Popular Destinations & TopicsairportsAmsterdamBarcelonabeachesBelfastBerlinBerwick upon TweedbookscastlescathedralsChristmascyclingDublinDundeeEdinburghfestivalsgardensGlasgowhotel reviewsislandsIstanbulIstriakidsLondonManchestermuseumsParisparksphotosPragueRomeRyanairShort BreakssportsStockholmstreet arttravel blog carnivalTuscanyvideosViennaviewswalkingwildlifewineZagreb

More about Europe a la Carte AdvertiseComments PolicyContactDisclosure PolicyEditor’s Upcoming TripsEurope a la Carte PodcastsMedia MentionsMeet the Current WritersLatest PostsCheap holiday in Malta: Under £200 per person for flight & 4 star half boardTen of the Best Hotels in Reykjavik for All BudgetsA review of Hotel Lovec at Lake Bled, SloveniaPodcast 2 January 2011: Gran Canaria, New Year’s Fireworks, Riga’s Art Nouveau Architecture, Munich Toy Museum & Aran IslandsDo You Have Any Tips on Things to Do in Gran Canaria?Country/Category IndexAccommodationAir TravelAlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBosniaBudget OptionsBulgariaCar HireChannel IslandsConsumer IssuesCroatiaCultureCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDestination GuidesEnglandEstoniaEuropean Travel TipsFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceHollandHungaryIcelandIrelandItalyKosovoLatviaLithuaniaLuxembourgMaltaMonte CarloMontenegroNorthern IrelandNorwayPodcastsPolandPortugalRail TravelRestaurantsRomaniaRussiaScotlandSlovakiaSloveniaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTechnologyTurkeyUncategorizedUnited KingdomWalesArchives Select Month January 2011  (5) December 2010  (57) November 2010  (55) October 2010  (48) September 2010  (57) August 2010  (65) July 2010  (59) June 2010  (59) May 2010  (66) April 2010  (57) March 2010  (45) February 2010  (47) January 2010  (42) December 2009  (68) November 2009  (34) October 2009  (49) September 2009  (33) August 2009  (73) July 2009  (37) June 2009  (51) May 2009  (38) April 2009  (45) March 2009  (36) February 2009  (25) January 2009  (23) December 2008  (32) November 2008  (36) October 2008  (42) September 2008  (32) August 2008  (47) July 2008  (59) June 2008  (35) May 2008  (16) April 2008  (28) March 2008  (28) February 2008  (31) January 2008  (22) December 2007  (46) November 2007  (29) October 2007  (34) September 2007  (29) August 2007  (38) July 2007  (34) June 2007  (35) May 2007  (47) April 2007  (47) March 2007  (63) February 2007  (51) January 2007  (51) December 2006  (48) November 2006  (18) October 2006  (7)

Travel InformationBarcelona ApartmentsCaffee AvecLondon Hotel ExpertsBudget HolidaysCruise DealsEasytobook.com HotelsFlightsParis ApartmentsParis Hotel ExpertsMy Life in LeedsSouth Pacific Travel BlogIreland Hotel ExpertsYorkshire Holiday CottagesTravel Wonders of the WorldGo Nanaimo BlogA Luxury Travel BlogTravel Tips for Cheap FlightsMy MelangeWhitby CottagesScotland Hotels ExpertsTop Travel Content EuropeTrail of Ants Travel BlogCar Hire SpainTravel TitbitsHollandA View from A BroadTravelocity CouponsSharing Travel ExperiencesEurope Travel DirectoryOn the RoadTravel Rants BlogSpendthrift ShoestringTravel and TweetBest beaches in the WorldBerlin ApartmentsEurope Word BlogHotels of the Rich and FamousJourneyetcTravel & Places of InterestAirport ParkingMarbella HolidaysGo Budget TravelThomson Discount CodesHappy Time BlogCool Travel GuideEngland Hotel ExpertsEuroCheapo Blog


FOR PROPER HOLIDAYS

Barcelona Apartments Paris apartments Berlin apartments ALL DESTINATIONS


Worldwide Travel Insurance

 EU Short BreaksGolf BreaksHotel ResortsCountry BreaksUK HotelsShort BreaksSights, culture, entertainment or activities, if you’re thinking short breaks, Europe has it all and Marriott has it covered, with 107 hotels in 22 countries.

Golf BreaksIf you’re looking for a golf break, take a look at these amazing Marriott golf packages available throughout the UK, Ireland, Egypt, Spain and Portugal.

Hotel ResortsMarriott hotel resorts offer sensational sojourns in some of the world’s most enticing locations. Aruba, Bali, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica – where will you go?

Country BreaksA country break in a Marriott Hotel & Country Club will get you back to nature in some style. Time to treat yourself…

UK HotelsMarriott hotels in the UK offer comfort, style and a warm welcome. Business, leisure, short-break or celebration – take a look at the options.

Find Hotels Online

 Copyright © Europe a la Carte Blog - find the best places to visit in EuropeCreated by Dosh Dosh