Cathedral Square (aka Dome Square), Riga

Another of Old Riga's cobblestone squares lies squarely in front of the Riga Cathedral. Commonly called the Dome Cathedral, this is one of Riga's trademark buildings. The word "Dome" comes from the German "Dom," which also means cathedral. It is considered to be the largest medieval church in the Baltics.

The church was built on the river in 1211 by Livonian Bishop Albert of Riga from Lower Saxony. It was Roman Catholic until a 1923 referendum forced it to be shared with the Lutheran Church. During the Soviet Era, the church was used as a concert hall. Religious services were restarted in 1991, and today it is used by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia.

Cathedral Square is the site of various events during the year, including a popular Christmas Market. It's a great place for souvenirs and local delicacies. But no matter what time of the year you stop through, there's bound to be something going on. From art installations and cultural festivals to bustling sidewalk cafes and great people watching, Cathedral Square is at the center of it all.