Riga is the capital of Latvia, a country that has had a tumultuous history, dating back about 4500 years, being conquered by Sweden, Russia, Germany and the Soviet Union. Riga was founded in 1201 with the arrival of traders, mercenaries and crusaders. Peter the Great invaded Riga in 1710 and the port town went on to become one of the largest industrial centres of the Russian Empire. Latvia finally became independent after World War One but was later invaded by Nazi Germany then became part of the Soviet Union after the war. Finally, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Latvia became an independent nation in 1991 with Riga as the capital. The city is also famous for the first Christmas tree that was reportedly set up in the year 1510.
Our cruise ship was able to "park" alongside the fairy tale old city of Riga, with its cobbled streets, quaint houses and medieval spires.
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