LATVIA: capital Riga
After the particularly depressed economic period following independence in 1991 (the country lost a large part of its industries in the great post-Soviet cutting), Latvia later proved to be the good pupil of the Baltic countries.
In addition to a superb medieval nucleus, Riga, has an Art Nouveau style city centre (my favourite city architecture style!) classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Riga, the European capital of Art Nouveau, surprises us on every street corner so open the eyes to the sky and little details. In addition, Riga, has the trendiest youth and the craziest nightlife of the three Baltic States, and a lot of greenplaces where take a little wood boat and relax.
My little anecdote: the house of the three brothers. These three adjoining houses recall the comercial past of the city when merchants flourished there. The narrowest of the three, at No. 21, is also the youngest, dating from the 18th century. The next one was built in 1646 and is decorated with a Baroque portal added a hundred years later. But the most moving and also the oldest, was built in the 15th century. Its all-Guingo facade is decorated by stone.
A good restaurant with a good history? The key of RIGA
http://www.keytoriga.lv/about-us/en/the-legend-of-the-key-to-riga.html
Riga has always been like a beautiful maiden, there were many of those who wanted to conquer her. Who knows where the key to the city would be now, if three brave fighters, Andris, Peteris and Ermanis, did not rise up to defend the Riga City walls back in the 17th century! Stone, candles, homemade food, and a man playing the accordion while you eat! Welcome to the castle demoiselle. My menu: An assortment of breads, Selection of Latvian cheeses, served with honey, Madam’s Kartoffelpuffer (Potato pancakes with sour cream and lingo berry jam). As in all the countries of the east, the sweet-salty mixture in all the dishes!
The original building of "Black Heads", on the square facing the town hall, became a temporary residence for single merchants passing through Riga who were gathered within the powerful brotherhood known as the "Black Heads" (named after an African head as its emblem, probably referring to the Nubian origins of Saint Mauritius, who was the patron saint of the guild). A guild is an association of artisans or merchants who oversee the practice of their craft/trade in a particular area. hey were organized in a manner something between a professional association, a trade union, a cartel, and a secret society.
