What to Do in Riga, Latvia | Exploring a Baltic Country

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Join us on an unforgettable journey through the charming streets of Riga, Latvia! In this travel vlog, we explore the rich history and delectable flavors of this beautiful Baltic gem.
Riga Market Adventure 🍓
Our day began with a visit to the bustling Riga Market, where we immersed ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere and tried some of Latvia's finest treasures. From succulent bilberries to juicy strawberries.
🏡 Riga Open Air Museum 🌳
Step back in time with us as we wandered through the Riga Open Air Museum. This living museum beautifully preserves Latvia's rural heritage, with authentic historical buildings, windmills, and traditional craftsmanship. It's a captivating journey through centuries of Latvian culture and history.
⛪ Riga Cathedral: A Gothic Marvel 🏰
Our next stop was the awe-inspiring Riga Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. As we explored its grand interior and climbed the tower for panoramic city views, we couldn't help but be amazed by the centuries of history that have unfolded within these hallowed walls.
🗽 The Freedom Monument: A Symbol of Unity 🇱🇻
Our day in Riga culminated at the iconic Freedom Monument, a symbol of Latvia's enduring spirit and quest for independence. Standing tall in the heart of the city, this monument is a powerful reminder of the nation's resilience and unity.
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[@artursbondars7789]

Hei! Thanks for appreciating Latvian way of life! So to answer some of Your questions. In middle ages there was a crusader state called Livonia, wich consisted of modern day Latvia and Estonia. Livonians was one of naitive tribes of Latvian teritory, they where of finougric origin, but with strong Baltic and Scandinavian admixture also. Other mayore tribes where Latgalians, Selonians, Semigallians and Curonians of Baltic origin, they formed the core of modern Latvian nation. In middle ages people in Europe where shorter in average, so the houses was smaller to. Today Latvians in average are one of the tallest peoples in world.

[@DavionWest]

Thank you for leaving a comment and answering my questions. I really love going to open air museums in other countries. It so interesting to see how people lived long ago.

[@ervinvonhimmel]

Well done! An American going to see a wooden structure from 16th century is already a positive person :) Soon enough there will be a direct fight, and more Americans can appreciate

[@DavionWest]

I love going to open air museums and tbh anything that shows the history of a country. Ive always loved history since I was a kid. And seeing history in person really makes me happy. Oh a direct flight? That would ben nice!

[@ervinvonhimmel]

@@DavionWest Yeah. A few months ago, Latvian airport (air space) got all the necessary permits from US officials to have direct flights to the USA, It took a few years and it's only one permit to the Baltics. So far there are two local airlines who applied for that (one company is doing commercial cargo fights, another one airBaltic) and American Delta as well, so I'm guessing, northeast of the US or precisely NYC should be the first place they start flying. I guess it happens in a year or so. AirBaltic is already flying its planes to and from Bombardier plant in Canada-Montreal, so I guess, they can do it anytime they want. Funny enough the direct flight to America-Riga takes just 8-9 hours and takes place in the North Atlantic, almost over Iceland.

[@BeatGrounds]

1:16 I live next to this place 😂😂 There's a Maxima store behind you where I usually buy my groceries. Glad to see that you enjoyed your time here! 👍👍

[@DavionWest]

Oh wow 😳! I really did, I have to go back and spend more time in nature there.

[@ShamankaIlona]

That small chapel in museum is from my grandmothers village. She went to that church when she was a child and she was very sad when it was moved away to the museum. But at least it was preserved. And despite of it being so tiny somehow there was enough place for everybody. There is memorial with a statue of Mary in the place where the church was standing and foundation of the church is still there.

[@DavionWest]

Wow 😳, I can understand her, I would be sad if they moved my child hood church away too. Seems like we always make enough space when we want to. Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your story :)

[@jkneumann]

Thank you for sharing your dive into another country and culture. I am glad to follow you on your eye opening and joyful journey.

[@DavionWest]

Thank you for all the support and comments, it really means a'lot and keeps me going. :) I have some videos coming out in a few weeks that are totally different.

[@MontyDK1]

Great video, My friend 😁 We've been thinking about visiting some of the Baltic cities, and This really Looks inviting.

[@DavionWest]

Thank you :)! Yes you and your family should go, especially Vilnius. Look out for my video about Vilnius, Lithuania.

[@aris1188]

Lol. That house at 14. minute mark, is called The House Of Black Heads. It was an international merchant guild, they had parties and orgies in that house.

[@DavionWest]

Thank you for the correction. :)

[@artursbondars7789]

Nice one! We got You!😅 Actually the town hall was behide You all the time. This one was the House of the Blackheads. Built in 14 century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild for unmaried merchants, shipowners and foreigners in Riga. It was rebuild in 90ties after destruction in war. Now it's a museaum, wher many events are happening. You can also visit it. Ou... and the fun trivia. The first ever Christmas tree in world, was erected in front of this building in 1510. But that is fun story for another time.

[@DavionWest]

Ahhhhh I see, next time I will defiantly have to go in. And dang the first Christmas tree wow.

[@artursbondars7789]

@@DavionWest Yup, they decorated the tree, danced and celebrated around it and then burned it at the end. 🎄🔥😅

[@CarLover1356]

Just a heads up but at 14:30 when you were talking about the town hall you were actually filming the House of the Blackheads which is was originally built in the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads which was a guild for unmarried merchants, shipowners, and foreigners in Riga. The actual town hall was just across the square (the big white building)

[@DavionWest]

Thank you for that :), I got confused when I was there. Dang now the whole video probably looks bad lol.

[@KozisKey]

Don't worry it often happens, you did your research on the Freedom monument, which most travelers miss, and made a very good point. Also you traveled outside the city center area - many Americans I have seen on youtube are afraid to use public transportation and almost "imprision" themselves@@DavionWest

[@drerri]

nice vid keep it up

[@DavionWest]

Thank you, I really appreciate it :)

[@matrixberzins465]

I was born in Riga and lived most of my life there now I live in other part of Latvia! It's not a city hall but house of the Black heads. It is - Saint Maurice, according to legend, was a commander of a Roman Christian legion born in Egypt around 250, who was beheaded for refusing to participate in polytheistic ceremonies and attacking Christians in Gaul (the legend also has other, not very different versions). The entire legion was punished with him for the same. Since the 4th century The Roman Catholic Church honors him as a saint, his main place of veneration is the Agonas Sv. Mauritius Abbey in Switzerland, Canton of Valais. Considered the protector of blacksmiths and soldiers, sometimes also the protector of weavers and perfume makers. History says that he was Afro-American.

[@DavionWest]

Thank you so much for that brief history lesson. Im going to do some more research and maybe even visit the abby in Switzerland.

[@usmc-veteran1955]

Always enjoy your videos. Been watching since you were in the United States Army.

[@DavionWest]

Thank you for always supporting me, even when my career and video choices change. I hope you are doing well.

[@robertsumbrasko3591]

nice vid

[@DavionWest]

Thank you for the support.

[@artursbondars7789]

Lol. Actually this summer many storms hit the Latvia. And some places of Riga always get flooded under strong storms and rains. Also near that place there was huge construction project. We are building high speed raill, wich will connect tree countries.

[@DavionWest]

Connecting Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania right?

[@artursbondars7789]

@@DavionWest yup

[@artursbondars7789]

But also with Finland and Poland to and throu them, with the rest of European Union.

[@Rblock777]

6:30 I think this is not for wedding but for ceremony before the burial of someone but im not 100% sure

[@DavionWest]

Ohhhhhhh, dang, that might make more sense.

[@Dave534]

Either you are really tall or the building in the open air museum is really small

[@DavionWest]

Hahha exactly lol

[@kida758]

PLEASE be careful the further you go throughout Eastern Europe as a black person! There's been a recent incident in Bulgaria where an AA women was brutally attacked by men on a train...simply for being black. Same thing happened with an Indian man. Many countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Moldova, Belarus, Russia, Poland,etc...can be barbaric and butt backwards!! Just a precaution to take note of. Wishing you JOY & safety as a fellow African American who genuinely enjoys your travel vids...and wants to see you continue to thrive!

[@Rblock777]

These countries are 100% safe for a black man All tho In Bulgaria/Romania you can get in trouble being any shape or color

[@mm166]

Don't be silly. As latvian, yes, people might have some weird look and also people might use N word because in latvian it's not rude at all. But all this is because you don't get to see different skin colors that often. As latvian, I really love to see different people here ❤

[@matrixberzins465]

No - Latvia is not dangerous for other people, even if they have a different skin color. People here are introverted and cooler because we are Northern Europeans - and they can only look at you a little strangely because they understand that you are a foreigner and that is always interesting. If you ask the locals for help, they will certainly help, even though the older generation people do not know English well - there have been no racism scandals in football or basketball in Latvia, even though representatives of other races play in our sports clubs.