Monday, May 28, 2012

City canal


The Riga city canal that rings the Old Town and winds through the parks surrounding boulevard ring was created in th 19th c. utilizing the former moat that surrounded the fortified city. Prominent buildings are located along its shores including the National Opera and the National Theatre built at the end of the 19th c. and the former Communist Party central Committee building, now the World Trade Centre "Riga", built in the mid-20th c.
Many sculptures are located in the vicinity of the canal, including one dedicated to one of Riga's prominent mayors - George Armistead. A popular meeting place is Bastejkalns where a fireworks display traditionally takes place on New Year's Eve.

The canal originates from the Daugava river near the Central market where fishing boats once anchored to sell the fish to Rigans. The canal makes a loop around Old Town and flows back into the Daugava by Andrejsala. People enter Old Town daily over the many bridges that cross the canal. This network of bridges is also a place for rollerbladers, and boats can be hired for a trip along the canal. Lately, the canal has become home to beavers that cause the city some problems because of their need to gnaw at trees. A plan for tourists includes a slow cruise along the entire length of the canal in a motorboat, but for now paddle boats and row boats are available to travel along a designated route on the canal.

Top 5 objects

1. Opera, 3 Meierovica Boulevard

The National Opera was opened in 1919 in the former Riga City First Theatre or German Theatre which was built in 1863 immediately after the destruction of the Old City ramparts. After a fire in 1882 caused by the gas lighting system, an electricity generating plant with chimney was buily. During the last reconstruction (1993-2001), an addition was built, but the structure was preserved.




2. Timms Bridge


Timms or the Opera Bridge was named after professor Timms who left money for its construction in his will. The bridge was bult in 1900 using vaulted brick construction.








3. George Armistead (1847-1912) is the most popular and significant mayor in Riga history and the only one to be honoured with a monument. During his tenure (1901-1912), Riga experienced unprecedented economic growth, matched by social developmenr. The monument picturing Armistead with his wife and sog was unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II in 2006.

4. Bastejkalns
This rise was man-made in the 19th century, when the city walls were torn down. It was constructed on the site of the Smilšu bastion and enhanced with artificial waterfalls. A cafe was located at the top of the rise until the mid of the 20th century. A modern tradition among newlyweds is to lock a key on the rails of the bridge symbolizing eternal ties.

5. Ķergalvis' Pavilion at Kalpaka Boulevard
In 1901, a large trade and manufacturing show took place in Riga in honour of Riga's 700th anniversary. The only surviving reminder of this event is the pavilion built by a mason named Ķergalvis and located between the congress building and the Riga Port administration building