Latvia guided private & group toursDay trips from Riga, best of Latvia, many languages available

LaT05 Riga Moscow Forstadt Private tour #rigatour #maskachka

You have seen charming and cosy Riga Old Town - let us surprise you with very different world! Travel back in time in unruly, shabby and charming mix of cultures and populations - to the Riga Moscow Forstadt or Maskachka.

Tour Highlights & Experiences:

• Moscow Forstadt views from top observation platform of Stalinist Science Academy skyscraper

• Picturesque decrepit lanes among wooden houses

• Lifestyles of Latvians, Jews, Orthodox & Old-Believer Russians co-existing for generations

• Former Riga Jewish Ghetto area

• Colourful churches of five different denominations

• Lively and patchy Thieves market Latgalite

Riga Moscow Suburb (Maskachka) tour description

Rich in history and bearing marks of different cultures, Jewish and Latvian, traditional Russian and Old Believers (secluded Orthodox sect), with lots of wooden architecture and green gardens, the Moscow Forstadt (suburb), colloquially known as Maskachka is by far one of the least explored parts of Riga having plenty of character.

The Moscow Forstadt, Maskavas Forštate in Latvian, is one of the oldest suburbs of Riga, and has undergone the least change – it means a walking tour through it can be like travelling back in time. Here neglected early 20th-century Art Nouveau masterpieces mingle with traditional 19th-century working-class wooden homes, some of which appear to be on the verge of collapse. Churches of various styles and five different denominations share common real estate with Soviet housing estates, while meandering cobblestone streets often flank large empty spaces intended as parks.

Your private tour guide will meet and welcome you at your hotel or cruise harbor.

Passing Riga Central Market and rail tracks you will see the first skyscraper of Riga - Collective Farmers’ Palace, now housing Latvian Academy of Sciences and still known by locals as Stalin's birthday cake. It is characteristic of excessive Stalinist period architecture and built straight over the main trading post of Russian traders, the Russian Merchant yard, a Russian version of shopping arcades. You and your guide will head up to the 17th floor platform (elevator, ticket included), from which you'll be able to admire incredible panoramic views of Riga. This height opens great view of Daugava river islands and Maskachka suburb spread out like a carpet almost under your feet.

Nearby small and brightly painted Orthodox Church of Annunciation of St. Virgin is passionately called U Nikolushki (at Nicolaus) by Central market petty merchants due to miracle working icon – but the great Italian writer Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa married his Baltic wife there as well. The first church that once stood here was destroyed when the whole suburb are was razed in 1812 to deprive advancing Napoleon’s army of shelter (alas, army took a different route).

Once home to a large Jewish population part of Moscow Forstadt became the Jewish Ghetto of Riga during WWII subjecting inhabitants to forced labour, deprivations, starvation and violence. Today the quarters once housing the Ghetto are run down, a little sad and in need of attention. We will walk along the narrow cobbled streets spotting occassional bum or drunkard – that’s their realm.

Emerging from picturesque streets, You will see historic Sarkanā kalniņa (Red hillock) market square, trading place for hay, horses and firewood. When salted herrings were added to product range the pervasive smell in hot weather soon forced the city to close all trade here. This beautiful square is still flanked by Omnibus depot, later Horse Tram depot building.

You will see the site of Great Choral Synagogue (Die Greise Hor Shul). Although the colossal edifice no longer exists, it’s thought-provoking to see what remains of this place of worship and to recall events of 1941 when hundreds of Jewish refugees from Lithuania and local Rigan Jews were herded into the basement of the synagogue which was then put on fire. Only ruins and memorial stones remain. A small memorial to Latvians who saved hundreds of Jews is located next.

Nearby small plaza around the Lutheran Church of Jesus includes an embassy and a fair hotel and looks as if it could be a part of the Old town, but few steps around the corner return you back in Maskachka landscape dotted with stray cats, leaning fences and lilac shrubs. When the Swedish Empire gained control of Riga in 1621, to celebrate an end to war they decided that a church should be built outside the city gates. It is the largest wooden church in Baltic states.

Among brick smokestacks of previous factories you will spot the round tower and bright golden cupola of Grebenshchikov Old Believer Church. It is home to large but somewhat reclusive congregation, one of the largest landowners in Riga. This Orthodox Christian sect was persecuted in Russia and fled to Siberia and Baltics.

A bit further stands the only Armenian Church in Baltic states so the whole 3000 members strong community belongs to this parish.

To complete the picture, you will see catholic St Franciscus Church adorned with two slender spires, and Orthodox St John The Forerunner old and new Churches surrounded by Ivana Cemetery offering few glimpses of local Russian burial culture.

We recommend to take a short tram ride at this spot, to shorten the distance as well as to observe the public using this means of transport (your guide will provide for the ticket, included in price).

One of highlights of Maskacha walk is so called ‘’Latgalīte’’, dense mix of classic flea market & thieves market – buy anything you can imagine from colourful vendor types hawking goods to similar buyers.

The suburb itself is a bit fragile so we ask travellers not to be too loud or to take intrusive photographs of the local residents. It is not a zoo after all, and we have great respect for those that live there.

It is time to say farewell to Moscow Forstadt, and your guide will bring you back across the tracks to the more ordinary and comfy world of your hotel or cruise port.

Saņemiet informāciju un pasūtiet! Zvaniet, rakstiet, ienāciet:

Zvaniet67217790 Zvaniet25443302 Rakstiet WhatsApp Rakstiet e-pastu Ienāciet darbdienās
no 10:00-18:00

LaT06 Jewish Private tour of Riga #jewishtour

Discover the heritage of the 700-years-old Jewish life in Latvia complete with a visit to the medieval old town and inspirational symbols of local Jewry.

Tour Highlights & Experiences:

• Panoramic drive by Daugava River

• Peitav šul Synagogue in Riga Medieval Old Town

• Ghetto & Holocaust Museum

• Jewish Ghetto site in Riga Maskachka Forstadt

• Ķīpsala island panorama

• Righteous Žanis Lipke Memorial in Ķīpsala

Jewish Riga tour description

Riga Jewish City tour takes you to the Riga Synagogue, Ghetto & Holocaust Museum, follows to Riga Ghetto quarter sights sand rounds the experience with Žanis (Janis) Lipke Memorial on Daugava river island Ķīpsala.

Our day of exploring the engaging and lively atmosphere of Riga starts from the very heart of it all - the medieval Old town containing the only working Sinagogue of Riga. We will leave our transport and walk to the historic buiding along old cobbled lanes with inviting street cafes.

Wedged between the narrow medieval dwelling houses is the only functioning Synagogue of Riga Peitav šul with beautifully decorated interior. Its unique location is one of the reasons the building is still intact after the disappearance of many others during the flames of II WW. However, after the hardships the local community has been reinvented.

While in Old town, a short break for some rest, tea or coffee is offered.

Passing the ruins of Great Synagogue turned into monument we will follow to Riga Ghetto & Holocaust museum, a beautiful example of rebirth of community, an open book of Jewish heritage in Latvia. Endless lists of names and stories will be brought to life by your private tour guide. Stepping down the original pieces of stone from the streets of Riga Ghetto, the strength of the messages around us will be palpable.

No Jewish tour of Riga can be complete without visiting Riga Ghetto area where all Jews from Riga and the vicinity were relocated while the non-Jewish inhabitants were evicted by Nazi. We will pause at men's, women's and German ghetto sections, small dwelling quarters in Moscow Forstadt of Riga.

After that we will make our way across the Daugava River to the unique Žanis Lipke Memorial located on the picturesque Kipsala island with beautiful scenic views of Riga panorama. We will drive and walk down the Kipsala bank admiring the splendid marriage of some modern and many delicately preserved old wooden houses.

The building in Riga fisherman's homestead is simple - essentially a wood shed with dugout under it, but it demonstrates unparalleled goodness of character and exceptional bravery of a man. Distinct among 88 Latvians named Righteous Among the Nations, Lipke risked his own life and those of his loved ones to protect more than 50 people from the Jewish ghetto during the war. The Museum building itself is an ascetic windowless structure of modern style used to voice the events of the past.

Thereafter our day of looking behind the façade of Riga and it's Jewish heritage comes to an end with a comfortable drive back to your hotel or cruise harbor.

Saņemiet informāciju un pasūtiet! Zvaniet, rakstiet, ienāciet:

Zvaniet67217790 Zvaniet25443302 Rakstiet WhatsApp Rakstiet e-pastu Ienāciet darbdienās
no 10:00-18:00

LaT07 Soviet Private tour of Riga #sovietriga #rigatour

Discover the emotionally charged heritage of the Soviet period in Latvian history from ground level and from 16th floor viewing platform on the top of Stalinist skyscraper.

Tour Highlights & Experiences:

• See Stalinist building style in it's best (or worst) in the highrise building of Academy of Sciences

• Enjoy the hidden gem of it's observation deck that offers great views of the city and the river including Brutalist TV Tower on Hare island

• Visit the train station where the mass deportations to Siberia started

• Drive and walk through typical Soviet ''sleeping district''

• Visit still emotionally charged controversial and massive Soviet Monument of the Liberators

• Enjoy post-tour traditional Soviet style meal at the Soviet style canteen

• Free option - visit KGB Building museum (Cheka Cellars), the scariest place in Soviet Riga

Soviet Riga tour description

Your private tour guide will meet and welcome you at your hotel or cruise harbor. Soviet heritage viewpoints and monuments are scattered throughout Riga, and your comfortable private vehicle is a must. Our first stop to learn more about this brutal and tragic period in life of Latvia is Stalinist highrise near Old Riga.

Driving past Riga Central Market you will see the first skyscraper of Riga - Collective Farmers’ Palace, now housing Latvian Academy of Sciences and still known by locals as Stalin's birthday cake. It is characteristic of excessive Stalinist period Socialist Classicism. You and your guide will head up to the 17th floor platform (elevator), from which you'll be able to admire incredible panoramic views of Riga. This height opens great view of another Soviet brutalist creation - the Television Tower on Daugava river island. ‘’Sleeping district’’ Ķengarags lies nearby, also Soviet built, home to tens of thousands of people but still stigmatised as ugly and depressing.

You will cross the river Daugava via Soviet built October Bridge (now Stone Bridge) to reach two meaningful places. Railway Station Tornakalns was the last stop on Latvian land for thousands to be deported in Soviet extermination and deportation campaigns. Cattle wagons rolled to Siberia Gulag camps, for many Latvians that was journey without return. Near the station a preserved deportation wagon stands as a memorial. A bit further a large field is dominated by Riga most controversial architectural ensamble, Soviet Monument to Liberators, with proper five-point stars and monumental bronze figures. This great example of Socialist monumental art is revered by Red army war veteran families and their sympathisers, and just tolerated by most of local society.

Now it is time to see the living suburbs of Soviet citizens still used by majority of population – prefabricated concrete panel housing units arranged in ‘’sleeping districts’’, with similar flats, schools and kindergartens, bearing the same look across all previous USSR.

Thereafter our time of exploring unexpected remains of Soviet epoch of looking behind the façade of Riga at it's Soviet Era concrete, stone & bronze creations comes to an end with a comfortable drive back to your hotel or cruise harbor, or by your wish in heart of the Old town, where you can continue exploring on your own.

If you are in the right mood, your guide will happily direct you to one of Riga canteens & bars, furnished like a Soviet flat – the best environment for the taste of true Soviet style dinner!

We offer free option: to bring you to the previous KGB (Soviet Secret police) building on Stabu street for locally guided tour of Cheka prison and torture cellars and upper floor offices where you'll discover why the secret police hedquarters was such a feared place.

Saņemiet informāciju un pasūtiet! Zvaniet, rakstiet, ienāciet:

Zvaniet67217790 Zvaniet25443302 Rakstiet WhatsApp Rakstiet e-pastu Ienāciet darbdienās
no 10:00-18:00

LaT08 Soviet Private tour of Riga #sovietriga #rigatour

Discover the emotionally charged heritage of the Soviet period in Latvian history from ground level and from 16th floor viewing platform on the top of Stalinist skyscraper.

Tour Highlights & Experiences:

• See Stalinist building style in it's best (or worst) in the highrise building of Academy of Sciences

• Enjoy the hidden gem of it's observation deck that offers great views of the city and the river including Brutalist TV Tower on Hare island

• Visit the train station where the mass deportations to Siberia started

• Drive and walk through typical Soviet ''sleeping district''

• Visit still emotionally charged controversial and massive Soviet Monument of the Liberators

• Enjoy post-tour traditional Soviet style meal at the Soviet style canteen

• Free option - visit KGB Building museum (Cheka Cellars), the scariest place in Soviet Riga

Soviet Riga tour description

Your private tour guide will meet and welcome you at your hotel or cruise harbor. Soviet heritage viewpoints and monuments are scattered throughout Riga, and your comfortable private vehicle is a must. Our first stop to learn more about this brutal and tragic period in life of Latvia is Stalinist highrise near Old Riga.

Driving past Riga Central Market you will see the first skyscraper of Riga - Collective Farmers’ Palace, now housing Latvian Academy of Sciences and still known by locals as Stalin's birthday cake. It is characteristic of excessive Stalinist period Socialist Classicism. You and your guide will head up to the 17th floor platform (elevator), from which you'll be able to admire incredible panoramic views of Riga. This height opens great view of another Soviet brutalist creation - the Television Tower on Daugava river island. ‘’Sleeping district’’ Ķengarags lies nearby, also Soviet built, home to tens of thousands of people but still stigmatised as ugly and depressing.

You will cross the river Daugava via Soviet built October Bridge (now Stone Bridge) to reach two meaningful places. Railway Station Tornakalns was the last stop on Latvian land for thousands to be deported in Soviet extermination and deportation campaigns. Cattle wagons rolled to Siberia Gulag camps, for many Latvians that was journey without return. Near the station a preserved deportation wagon stands as a memorial. A bit further a large field is dominated by Riga most controversial architectural ensamble, Soviet Monument to Liberators, with proper five-point stars and monumental bronze figures. This great example of Socialist monumental art is revered by Red army war veteran families and their sympathisers, and just tolerated by most of local society.

Now it is time to see the living suburbs of Soviet citizens still used by majority of population – prefabricated concrete panel housing units arranged in ‘’sleeping districts’’, with similar flats, schools and kindergartens, bearing the same look across all previous USSR.

Thereafter our time of exploring unexpected remains of Soviet epoch of looking behind the façade of Riga at it's Soviet Era concrete, stone & bronze creations comes to an end with a comfortable drive back to your hotel or cruise harbor, or by your wish in heart of the Old town, where you can continue exploring on your own.

If you are in the right mood, your guide will happily direct you to one of Riga canteens & bars, furnished like a Soviet flat – the best environment for the taste of true Soviet style dinner!

We offer free option: to bring you to the previous KGB (Soviet Secret police) building on Stabu street for locally guided tour of Cheka prison and torture cellars and upper floor offices where you'll discover why the secret police hedquarters was such a feared place.

Saņemiet informāciju un pasūtiet! Zvaniet, rakstiet, ienāciet:

Zvaniet67217790 Zvaniet25443302 Rakstiet WhatsApp Rakstiet e-pastu Ienāciet darbdienās
no 10:00-18:00