Easter in Riga: The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia

The last thing we visited while we were in Riga was the Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia. The weather was fairly cooperative, and while it rained slightly, it was not pouring. We took the bus to go to this vast museum outside of Riga.

Easter in Riga: An Excursion to Jurmala

It was just early April, so definitely not yet beach weather. Nevertheless, we wanted to see the sea, so we went on a little day trip from Riga to Jurmala, which was a short train ride away.

Easter in Riga: Latvian National Museum of Art

When I am in a new city, I tend to visit the local art museum. This allows me to see and get a glimpse of the local art. I did the same when we were in Riga, by visiting the Latvian National Museum of Art.

Easter in Riga: Art Nouveau Museum of Riga

One of the other things we visited in Riga was the Art Nouveau Museum. This is the only museum in the Baltic states dedicated entirely to the heritage of Art Nouveau (known locally as Jūgendstils). Opened in 2009, the museum provides an immersive look into how the wealthy residents of Riga lived during the height of the movement at the beginning of the 20th century, a period when roughly one-third of the buildings in the city center were designed in this ornate style.

Easter in Riga: House of the Blackheads

We visited perhaps what is arguably the most recognizable landmark in Riga's Old Town. Located prominently in Town Hall Square, the House of the Blackheads is celebrated for its opulent architecture and a resilient history that mirrors the story of Latvia itself.

Easter in Riga: The Cathedral of Riga

So we ended up exploring the Cathedral of Riga.

Easter in Riga: Exploring the Old Town

So, we arrived in Riga. We arrived late at night, so we just plopped dead into our bed once we checked in. But the day after, we started exploring. Of course, we started at the Old Town.

Easter in Riga

Earlier this year, we decided to do a small getaway outside of Germany. We took the opportunity that came with the Easter holidays: Friday and Monday was a holiday, so we thought we could find a destination where we would be flying out of Berlin on a Thursday evening, and come back on Monday evening. After a little bit of research, we settled on Riga. Research told us that this would be a place where things are nevertheless open regardless of the fact that it was a public holiday. So we made plans.