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Location Date Fri, 21 June 2013
1371814020 Thu, 20 June 2013 1371747360
Day 62
June 21
Riga
Riga the capital of Latvia. To write about this town would be a repeat of what I wrote about Estonia and I feel that soon, when I move to Lithuania it will be a similar story again. The Baltic states are very small with not many people residing in the them. There history is almost identical as they were ruled over or subdued by the same rulers as Estonia. Their town centers are similar. Old city walls and old, but nice looking buildings. All of these cities offer a free walking tour which mostly start at midday and take two to two and half hours. This time there was a choice between a walk in the old city versus one in the newer districts so I did the latter. The river and station formed the dividing line between the two parts and lead to the so-called Russian quarter.
Before the wars the Russians were not allowed to trade in the old city so and stayed outside in specially build houses and warehouses Later the Germans built large Zeppelin hangars for Blimps to be built but were never used for this purpose.. These building now house the local traders who run a daily market. When the Germans invaded, all the Synagogues were burnt down bar one, and nearly all the Jewish population was deported and died in various extermination camps.
Another story came to light. Many people in The Baltic states joined the Germans when they invaded their countries. Why was that? Well they saw the German as liberators from the Soviets who had occupied their countries since the nineteen twenties. When the war had finished and the Russians once more occupied the Baltic states all these people were rounded up. The guide told this story in front of the old KGB building. They used to say that the building was the highest building in Latvia as you could see Siberia from to rooftop. The meaning of that was that most of the 600.000 people which went through the front door were sent to labour camps in Siberia or executed in the nearby woods.
Today a weekend long festival has started: midsummer night. Music and drinking beer for the locals. The sun sets at 11.30 and rises again a few hours later, it never gets really dark. Peak hour at midnight was a sight to be seen to be believed.
June 21
Riga
Riga the capital of Latvia. To write about this town would be a repeat of what I wrote about Estonia and I feel that soon, when I move to Lithuania it will be a similar story again. The Baltic states are very small with not many people residing in the them. There history is almost identical as they were ruled over or subdued by the same rulers as Estonia. Their town centers are similar. Old city walls and old, but nice looking buildings. All of these cities offer a free walking tour which mostly start at midday and take two to two and half hours. This time there was a choice between a walk in the old city versus one in the newer districts so I did the latter. The river and station formed the dividing line between the two parts and lead to the so-called Russian quarter.
Before the wars the Russians were not allowed to trade in the old city so and stayed outside in specially build houses and warehouses Later the Germans built large Zeppelin hangars for Blimps to be built but were never used for this purpose.. These building now house the local traders who run a daily market. When the Germans invaded, all the Synagogues were burnt down bar one, and nearly all the Jewish population was deported and died in various extermination camps.
Another story came to light. Many people in The Baltic states joined the Germans when they invaded their countries. Why was that? Well they saw the German as liberators from the Soviets who had occupied their countries since the nineteen twenties. When the war had finished and the Russians once more occupied the Baltic states all these people were rounded up. The guide told this story in front of the old KGB building. They used to say that the building was the highest building in Latvia as you could see Siberia from to rooftop. The meaning of that was that most of the 600.000 people which went through the front door were sent to labour camps in Siberia or executed in the nearby woods.
Today a weekend long festival has started: midsummer night. Music and drinking beer for the locals. The sun sets at 11.30 and rises again a few hours later, it never gets really dark. Peak hour at midnight was a sight to be seen to be believed.
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