Elizabetes Iela (Elizabeth Street) 3, Riga
The Elizabeth Street #3 building in Riga is a five-storey apartment block constructed in 1899 to a design by architect Kārlis Johans Felsko and sculptor Augusts Folcs.
Originally, this beautiful Art Nouveau house belonged to a wealthy merchant Artūrs Butovics, to whom it represented a rather valuable asset – located in the prestigious embassy district, close to the Old Town, the Daugava river and the city's yacht club.
Eventually, the property had changed hands several times and at some point, during the Soviet period, housed a hotel named "Lighthouse" (prior to 1969 it was known as the hotel Daugava). Back then, inside the hotel there were also a café called "Baka" (40 seats) and a clothing repair shop.
A comprehensive (several years-long) restoration, after Latvia's independence, saw the building regain its original splendor – exquisite silhouette with the bright façade, rich in plastic ornamentation, and the well-kept, green courtyard.
Originally, this beautiful Art Nouveau house belonged to a wealthy merchant Artūrs Butovics, to whom it represented a rather valuable asset – located in the prestigious embassy district, close to the Old Town, the Daugava river and the city's yacht club.
Eventually, the property had changed hands several times and at some point, during the Soviet period, housed a hotel named "Lighthouse" (prior to 1969 it was known as the hotel Daugava). Back then, inside the hotel there were also a café called "Baka" (40 seats) and a clothing repair shop.
A comprehensive (several years-long) restoration, after Latvia's independence, saw the building regain its original splendor – exquisite silhouette with the bright façade, rich in plastic ornamentation, and the well-kept, green courtyard.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Riga. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Elizabetes Iela (Elizabeth Street) 3 on Map
Sight Name: Elizabetes Iela (Elizabeth Street) 3
Sight Location: Riga, Latvia (See walking tours in Riga)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Riga, Latvia (See walking tours in Riga)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Riga, Latvia
Create Your Own Walk in Riga
Creating your own self-guided walk in Riga is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Riga Old Town Walking Tour
The area that is home to present-day Riga has hosted inhabitants since the days of the Vikings. With a sheltered natural harbor nearby, the River Daugava made Riga a stop on the Vikings' Dvina-Dnieper trade route to Byzantium.
Trade allowed the area to flourish, and the Livs, a Finnic tribe, settled it. In the early Middle Ages, the town's economy revolved around fishing, trading, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Trade allowed the area to flourish, and the Livs, a Finnic tribe, settled it. In the early Middle Ages, the town's economy revolved around fishing, trading, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Art Nouveau Architecture Walk
An architecture lover in general and that of Art Nouveau in particular will find plenty to look at in the quiet center of Riga. Jūgendstil (Latvian: Art Nouveau) architecture makes up roughly one third of all buildings in the heart of Latvia's capital. In fact, the city boasts the highest concentration of Art Nouveau structures anywhere in the world.
Constructed during a period of rapid... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Constructed during a period of rapid... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Historical Churches and Cathedrals
One great thing about Riga is that the majority of its religious sites are concentrated in the historic center. A variety of faiths found in the Latvian capital is fairly broad for such a small country and includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran, to mention but a few.
The 13th-century Riga Cathedral is perhaps the most significant house of prayer in the city. The imposing mix of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
The 13th-century Riga Cathedral is perhaps the most significant house of prayer in the city. The imposing mix of... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Traveler's Choice of 12 Uniquely Latvian Souvenirs from Riga
Reemerged after regaining independence in the early 1990s, Latvia is anxious to reveal its beauty to the outside world. The country's capital Riga is a good showroom for the country's cultural riches and traditions. Here's the list of the unique Latvian products to look for while in...