In the course of eight centuries, Riga, the capital of Latvia, has developed from a small settlement to a large metropolis with nearly one million inhabitants. In the very heart of the city, near the bank of the River Daugava, lies the ancient part of the city, Old Riga or Old Town. In the city plan it looks like a small field but it is actually the place where the history of Riga begins. Every house, street and square, even every cobble-stone holds historical evidence. Old Riga presents a unique cultural value, and the historical centre was registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997.
Riga was founded in 1201 when Bishop Albert moved his residence from Ikskile, a nearby twon, to a place near the Daugava estuary at the River Riga also called Ridzene. In the 12th century this territory already contained settlements of the ancient Latvians, the Livs and the Cours. The city got its name from the River Riga wich later was filled up with rubbish and sand.
Old Riga was seriously damaged by the Second World War, and the historical centre was heavily ruined. During postwar years, the old buildings were restored, and nowadays Old Riga is still retrieving its architectonic values, new features emerging alongside those of the ancient past.
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