Riga
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This was my first visit into former Soviet occupied countries and to be frank I was expecting utilitarian apartment complexes, squat government buildings as well as surly people to dominate, but regal Riga home of Art Nouveau, smiling people and great beer was anything but. Our visit occurred almost halfway between its independence from Russia in 1990 and today, at the time Riga was trying attract tourist money and discount airlines had direct flights from every major British city making every weekend the Hen doo capital of Europe. Thankfully Riga has many things on offer other than really good cheap beer, like the biggest indoor market in Europe spread across 5 WW1 zeppelin hangers, a pedestrian only spectacular old town that is filled with bars, restaurants and warm people making it one of the hidden gems of Europe.
I took this on May 16, 2008 with my D70s and Tamron 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens at 35mm, 1/250s, f8 ISO 200 processed in LR, PS +Lumenzia ,Topaz, and DXO Nik
Disclaimer: My style is a study of romantic realism as well as a work in progress
This beautiful Russian Orthodox church with it's polished gold domes stands a close distance to the Freedom Monument
Like the photo before this is a building constructed by Mr. Eisenstein (Father of the famous film director).
jugendstils.riga.lv/JugendstilsRiga/eizensteins/
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikhail_Eisenstein
This Site has a lot of detail about the building:
Photo from Riga St Peter’s Church tower. In the background River Daugava
Well seen Riga Cathedral, the Evangelical Lutheran cathedral in Riga, Latvia. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Riga.
The church was built near the River Daugava in 1211 by Livonian Bishop Albert of Riga, who came from Lower Saxony in northwestern Germany. It is considered the largest medieval church in the Baltic states. It has undergone many modifications in the course of its history.
The organ of the Riga Cathedral was built by E.F. Walcker & Sons of Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in 1882–83,[2] and was inaugurated on 31 January 1884. It has four manuals and one pedalboard. It plays 116 voices, 124 stops, 144 ranks, and 6718 pipes. It includes 18 combinations and General Crescendo
Honouring soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence (1918–1920), it is considered an important symbol of the freedom, independence, and sovereignty of Latvia.[1] Unveiled in 1935, the 42-metre (138 ft) high monument of granite, travertine, and copper often serves as the focal point of public gatherings and official ceremonies in Riga. Guards of honour are always present and Liberty stands on top holding three stars symbolizing the constitutional districts of Latvia: Vidzeme, Latgale and Courland