Things to see in Riga

Although fire and war destroyed many of the first buildings, Riga's historic central area boasts fine medieval, Gothic and baroque architecture. But Riga is particularly renowned for its art nouveau structures, which many believe form the finest collection of this architectural style anywhere in Europe. The style (Jugendstil – the German-style art nouveau) is unmistakable, with ornate stucco swirls adorning doorways, human faces embellishing facades and outlandish towers growing from the tops of buildings. The best way for visitors to appreciate this architectural treasure-trove is to wander through the downtown area, staring upwards. One of the best examples of Jugendstil is on and around Elizabetes iela, where many of the buildings are laden with all the tell-tale flourishes of this lavish architectural style.

This stunningly renovated gothic building on the revamped Rātslaukams dates back to 1334 when it was the meeting venue of local unmarried merchants: the Blackheads. It fell into decline during Soviet times, but after years of restoration it now gleams by day and shines at night when floodlit. The building's mighty gable rises dramatically 28m (92ft) above the square. The interior is suitably impressive with a rebuilt hall where the Blackheads once met.

The Latvian National Museum of Art is housed in an impressive baroque structure, which was the first building in the Baltics specifically created to be a museum. It is listed as an architectural landmark of national significance, and the top floor is adorned with six decorative paintings by the great Latvian artist Vilhelms Purvītis and the Estonian classical artist Gerhard von Rosen. The permanent exhibitions of the museum trace the development of professional art in the Baltic region from the mid-1700s to the present day. Its Russian art collection is reputed to be the richest in the Baltic countries. Alongside the permanent collections, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions, as well as regular cultural events.

Just outside the Old Town walls, the Roman Catholic cathedral of Riga has been reincarnated many times. St Jacob’s Cathedral (Jēkaba Katedrāle) was once a Lutheran parish church, a Jesuit church and even a Swedish garrison church. But now, revelling in layers of history, it is an atmospheric place of Catholic worship. The Church of Jesus (Jēzus Baznīca), Riga's oldest wooden church, has fought an epic battle with fire for centuries. Its survival alone is reason enough to visit. Grebenstchikov Church is another wooden structure, a gold-domed affair dating back to the early 19th century. Alexander Nevsky Church (Aleksandra Nevska Baznīca) is a Russian Orthodox structure dating back to the 1820s. Named after the 13th-century Russian prince celebrated by Riga’s Russian population as a folk hero, the church is bright yellow and hard to miss.