Above Turaida Castle, Latvia

The Livonian Turaida Castle is a miracle in red brick. Rising through the dense forest above the beautiful Gauja River Valley, Turaida is surely one of the gems of Latvia – in fact, one of the gems of the entire Baltics. Built in 1214, the Livonion Order was just a few decades off from becoming part of the Teutonic Order. (Livonians were a Baltic-Finnish people related to modern Estonians whose last native speaker died in 2013.) Red brick castles are a staple of Baltic military forces, who somehow managed to make these defensive structures a thing of beauty. The tower from which one is standing is a 14th century addition, with further modifications added in the 15th century, though from the 1700s, the castle fell into ruin. Luckily, ruins became all the rage – considered Romantic (with a capital R). The legend of the Rose of Turaida – a tragic story of love, death, faith and sacrifice – associated with the castle only added to Turaida’s edgy Romanticism. In the 1970s, the Latvians excavated the area and renovated the castle, reverting Turaida to her former glory, and making it possible to explore the castle, visit the museum, walk the walls, and of course climb the towers. And what a view it is!

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Tip: Enjoy a bird’s eye view from the main round tower in the centre of the castle. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Gauja River Valley and castle from the cheerful yellow cable cars that regularly traverse the gorge. Hiking to the castle along the Gauja River Valley via Krimulda is highly recommended.

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Other Brick Castles

• Torun Castle
• Malbork Castle
• Trakai Castle – Lithuania
• Fargaras Citadel – Romania

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Churches of Sigulda, Latvia

Churches of Sigulda, Lativa

Few people know about the three little Baltic countries in the northeastern corner of Europe. The only thing most people think of in connection to the Baltics is “ooh, must be cold there!” But there is so much more to the Baltic than its chilly weather. One such place is the town of Sigulda. Tucked into the heart of Latvia, Sigulda is just an hour from the country’s capital city, Riga. This small town of just 14,000 people sits in a stunning stretch of steep rocks, Devonian sandstone, and ancient woodlands, on the doorstep of Gauja National Park. The history of Sigulda stretches back to 1207 and the Livonian Order, a branch of the more famous Teutonic Order, which had a large grip on this region of Europe. After Latvia’s renewed independence in the scarily-recent year of 1991, effort was made to restore the 800-year-old town of Sigulda. The town itself is full of leafy green streets, rustic houses and simple churches like the Lutheran church pictured. Though there was a church here since 1225, nothing of it remains. This church dates to the 15th century, and the families who once lived in Krimulda Manor were benefactors of the church, keeping up repairs even when some of the family converted to Russian orthodoxy. There are a number of paintings, reliefs and statues within its walls but the best part is the tower. Visitors to the church can climb Sigulda church’s tower for lovely aerial views. Depending on the season, Sigulda can be full of day-trippers escaping Riga, or in the off season, it is a quiet, beautiful, haunting place. Regardless, Sigulda is a quaint town and the ideal jumping off point to explore the Gauja region.

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Tips: Sigulda is home to one of the few bobsleigh tracks open to the general public, and has both summer and winter options. There are also a few annual festivals – an Opera Festival in the ruined castle and a festival in May celebrating the cherry blossoms. Despite this, we love visiting in autumn when the fiery fall colours are in full tilt across the valley below.

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Visit Nearby:

• Turaida Castle
• Gauja River Valley / National Park
• Gutmanis Cave
• Krimulda Castle
• Krimulda Manor
• Sigulda New Castle

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Inside Gutmanis Cave, Latvia

Inside Gutmanis Cave, Latvia 

Founded in 1973, the Gauja River Valley is part of Gauja National Park, a protected area measuring 917.86 km². This beautiful place combines the wonders of nature with the wonders of mankind. Tucked into the heart of Latvia is the Gauja River Valley National Park, one of just four national parks in Latvia. Gauja River Valley NP is Latvia’s largest as well as oldest national park, and is home to the vast majority of Latvia’s natural caves. No where depicts this marriage of nature and manmade better than Gutmanis (or Gutman’s) Cave. A natural cave, Gutman’s Cave is often nicknamed Latvia’s oldest tourism attraction. While not large, the cave is home to hundreds of carvings of ancient past visitors who wanted to leave their mark on its walls (in a slightly more tasteful display than scratches on a bathroom wall). A local man found a good way to earn a trade: for a fee, he would carve names or coat of arms of visitors to this beloved place. (Please note that you are no longer permitted to carve or write in the cave). But why here? Legend attributes this site as the meeting point in Latvia’s tale of doomed lovers. Like the stories of Romeo and Juliet of Verona or the Lovers of Teruel, the tale of the Rose of Turaida (of Turaida Castle on one side of the valley) and her lover from Sigulda Castle on the other side of the valley does not end happily ever after. An orphaned baby found in the ruins of a war, Maija, the Rose of Turaida, is adopted by a family in Turaida. She falls in love with young Viktor the gardener and when they want to see each other, they met in between the two castles at Gutman’s Cave. The story ends tragically when Maija is killed by a local ruffian who wishes to force her to wed him. Rather than consign herself to a marriage with him, she tells him she has a magic scarf that resists blades, and he can have it instead of her. He is naturally suspicious of her claim, so she lets him try it out other first… let’s just say that the scarf was not magical, and Maija was no more. (Though her lover did apparently track him down and arrest him). Today, Gutmanis Cave is one of the several sites of interest on your hike from Sigulda to Turaida, crossing the gorge, passing by Krimulda Castle, and wandering through the darkly enchanting forest. 

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Pro tip: Get a map, taking the cable car across the valley and follow the trail from Sigulda to Turaida Castle. At 5 km, it’s a great day out from the capital, Riga. For those interested in the story of the Rose of Turaida, you can visit her grave at Turaida Castle.

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Discover Other Caves: 

• Oweynagat Cave – Ireland
• Grotte des Demoiselles – Southern France
• Caves of Clierzou – Massif Central – France
• Cavehill Park – Northern Ireland
• Pollengollum Cave – Northern Ireland 

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Turaida Castle, Latvia

Turaida Castle, Latvia

Greeting you as you traverse forgotten paths through dark forests, red-brick turrets of a fairytale castle rise through the waves of golden trees on a crisp autumn day. This is the beautiful Turaida Castle. To though there is a bus, a far more enjoyable way to find Turaida Castle is to be mistaken for a German tourist at the Sigulda train station, be handed a map in German and told to follow it through the town of Sigulda, past the first, then second set of castle ruins, over the impressive Gauja River Gorge in a little yellow cable car, through the magnificently eerie woods, past the magical Gutmanis Cave, and finally, to the turrets of Turaida Castle itself. Built in 1214, demolished in 1776 by fire, then partially restored in the last decade, “Thor’s Garden,” as it translates to in Livonian, is a medieval castle on the Gauja River built by Albert, archbishop of Riga. Today there is a small folk park area and sculpture garden outside, as well as the castle of towers, walls and outbuildings. Though of course Turaida Castle is still an impressive place when arriving by bus or car, hiking through the quiet trails of the Gauja River Valley from Sigulda Train Station, and exploring the region on foot is what truly makes visiting this castle a magical experience fit for a modern explorer time-travelling to the Middle Ages.

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Pro tip: Pick up a map from the Sigulda Train Station and hike to the castle! The Gauja River Valley is magical to explore on foot. You’ll have to take the cable car to Krimulda, which operates daily from 10-18h30 (or 17h in winter), and currently costs €12 (the views are worth it!). The whole hike is about 5km with deviations to Sigulda Castle or Gutmanis Cave adding a wee bit more on. Once you visit the castle, you can then take the bus back to Sigulda. There is a tiny (and very simple) restaurant near the castle, but you may want to bring a picnic. Cable car info here.

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More Remote Fairytale Places

• Hohenzollern Castle – Germany
• Swaledale – England
• Sacra di San Michele – Italy
• Les Monts du Beaujolais – France
• Trakai Island Castle – Lithuania

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Note: This was originally posted in 2013. It has since been revised and updated. 

Colourful Streets of Riga, Latvia

Colourful Cobblestone Streets of Riga, Latvia

Though perhaps younger than some of the cities of the Mediterranean, Riga, the capital of Latvia, has over 800 years of history – with most of that history turbulent. Latvia’s location along the Baltic Sea has long made it an important strategical spot for centuries. In the Viking era, the fearsome Scandinavian warriors often came to the Baltics during their annual raids, though the Baltic raids weren’t considered as good as those of England or France. In medieval times, German and Teutonic knights and Swedish kings stamped in and out of Riga and Latvia – really the Baltics in general – taking control of it or simply raiding it in times of need. In more recent times, the Soviets laid claim to this little Baltic nation, in its quest for control over trade and military might in the Baltic Sea. From above, we see a forest of Gothic spires rising above Riga, and below down at street level, we see a beautiful rainbow of bright colours and Art Nouveau façades adorning each street, square and alleyway. Riga is an easy place to wander and explore – Art Nouveau architecture rears up randomly throughout the city, narrow alleys wrap themselves around unique buildings, small streets open up into large squares home to impressive churches, guildhalls, markets, mansions and other magnificent edifices. It is perhaps for this splendid blend of styles, creativity, history and beauty that Riga Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Pro tip: The most famous instance of architecture in Riga is surely the House of the Blackheads, associated with the guilds. Click to learn more about visiting this iconic interior, including hours and admission prices. 

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Other Colourful Streets in Europe

• Sibiu – Romania
• Warsaw – Poland
• Lyon – France
• Poznan – Poland
• Crémieu – France
• Trakai – Lithuania
• Brasov – Romania
• Munich – Germany
• Brunico – Italy
• Copenhagen – Denmark

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St Peter’s Church in Riga, Latvia

Steeple of St Peter’s Church in Riga, Latvia

Huddled on the banks of River Daugava, Riga is a town recognised for its architectural beauty and rich culture. As the capital of Latvia, and one of the three main cultural centres in the Baltics region of northeast Europe (the others being Tallinn and Vilnius), Riga is a blend of old world charm and cosmopolitan busyness. Architecturally, it is composed of a medieval city Old Town, unique art nouveau facades and gothic and baroque spires,  such as this one here. Perched atop St Peter’s Church at the heart of Riga, the 130-metre-high baroque steeple is the city’s tallest spire. This steeple dates back to WWII when the church was rebuilt after the city was torn apart during the war. This new structure was based on a former tower erected in the 1720s, replacing a previous structure that was struck by lighting in 1721 which in turn replaced one that collapsed in 1666. In fact, at one point in the late 1690s, St Peter’s Church was the highest wood building in the world! The oldest version of this spire dates all the way back to the end of the 15th century, while St Peter’s Church itself was consecrated in 1209 (though little remains of that original construction). The basilica we see today is from the 15th century in all of its baroque and gothic fashion. In 1997, Riga’s Old Town was added to the list of UNESCO world heritage sites – among the sites called out for their particular beauty, heritage and culture was of course St Peter’s Church.

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Pro tips: A stone’s throw away is the famed House of Blackheads, a unique baroque guildhall. Pick up one of the Like A Local maps which shows streets and iconic sights but also less-known sights recommended by local citizens as well as food recommendations. One such recommendation is a lovely teacup-sized family-run restaurant, Varzoba, located very close to both St Peter’s Church and the House of Blackheads. Not sure what to get? Let them choose! You won’t regret it. 

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Visit Other Stunning Sites in Latvia

• House of the Blackheads
• Sigulda Castle
• Gutmanis Cave
• Turaida Castle
• Krimulda Castle

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Sigulda New Castle, Latvia

The small town of Sigulda and its environs seem to collect castles and manors. For starters, the most famous is Turaida Castle, its golden-red towers jutting out of the woodland following the stunning Gauja River Valley – a perfect place to hike. On the far side of the cable car opposite Sigulda, there’s the crumbling ancient ruins of Krimulda Castle paired with the crumbling not-so-ancient ruins of Krimulda Manor. And then of course, in Sigulda town proper, find the Old Castle of Sigulda – now in ruins – just across from the New Castle of Sigulda. The first New Castle of Sigulda was constructed in 1878 by the wealthy Kropotkin family in the popular Neo-Gothic revival style that swept the continent throughout the 19th century. The castle/manor lasted only until WWI when it was partially destroyed. As was wont, restoration started after the war was over, though Sigulda’s New Castle got a complete makeover – it had now become the Writer’s Castle, inspiration for authors, writers and poets of all kinds (romantic ideal, eh!?). Such an idyllic nature didn’t last. In WWII, it was taken over by the Germans, used as a military headquarters, only then to be tossed over to the USSR after the war’s end. It wasn’t until the Baltic states (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) finally got their hard-won freedom that Sigulda’s New Castle finally housed part of the Latvian government – home to Sigulda City and District Councils. Though closed to tourists, it’s worth a stroll through the beautiful grounds to enjoy the castle and the views. Plus, the old castle of Sigulda is not far off!

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Pro tip: The cable car across the valley goes once an hour. Buy your ticket and then use the rest of the hour to walk around Sigulda’s castles and perhaps even pop in to the church to see their collection of button art. If you’re planning to walk from Krimulda to Turaida once you cross the gorge, be sure to wear good footwear. 

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Other beautiful places in the Baltics:

• Riga’s Art Nouveau
• Vilnius’ Old Town
• Trakai Island Castle
• Medieval Tallinn
• The Baltic Coast
• Legends of Gutmanis Cave

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Turaida Castle, Latvia

Turaida Castle, Latvia

Red brick towers peek out of the forest to climb their way towards the heavens. Turaida Castle, a little-known medieval fortress erected in the early 12th century, is a Latvian national treasure, to the degree that when the castle was left to be reclaimed by Mother Nature, the Latvians pumped finances into saving it. A Teutonic castle made of red brick much like Poland’s immense Zamek Malbork, the crumbling Teutonic Turon Castle in central Poland or even Lithuania’s island fortress Trakai, Turaida Castle itself seems as if it was pulled out of a magical storybook and nestled into the forgotten woods of the Gauja River Valley deep within Latvia. Reached either by winding backroads or by a combination of foot and cable car through the quiet Latvian forest, the castle is set in one of Latvia’s most incredible backdrops. Turaida Castle was the home of the lovely Rose of Turaida, a love story with a not-so-happy ending. While the castle itself evokes thoughts of knights and princesses and dragons, a hike through the surrounding valley with the enchanted castle looming in the distance is one memory you will never forget.

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More Amazing and Beautiful Castles in Eastern Europe

1. Malbork Castle, Poland
2. Trakai Castle, Lithuania
3. Krimulda Castle, Latvia
4. Royal Palace, Warsaw, Poland
5. Turon Castle, Poland
6. Vajahunyad Castle, Budapest, Hungary
7. Warsaw Barbican, Poland

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Riga, Latvia

Art Nouveau in Riga, Latvia

Art Nouveau (‘new art’) was a style of architecture, art, sculpture, and design popular from roughly 1890 – 1920. Though it swept across Europe, it was particularly popular in Riga, Latvia, with some 40% of the buildings built with Art Nouveau in mind. Inspired by flowers, trees, leaves, water, and other natural elements, Art Nouveau buildings twist and turn; they flow, they spiral, they cascade – they are alive. Riga’s Art Nouveau was less extravagant than that of France’s or Spain’s. But nonetheless, Riga overflows its borders with the simplistic, Romantic version of Art Nouveau. Much of it has survived to this day despite the turbulence of the 20th century, and the city centre is now a designated UNESCO site. By simply meandering and keeping one’s eyes turned upwards, the observant traveller will come across this forgotten cache of treasures hidden away in the Baltic gem that is Riga.

 

Gutmanis Cave, Latvia

Gutmanis Cave, Latvia

Supposedly one of the Baltic’s early form of tourism was pilgrimages to this cave. It all started with a legend, a story, dating to the age of castles and knights and villains. Once upon a time, there was a princess who lived in a castle called Turaida. There was another castle, not so far away, where a handsome young man lived, and in the middle, there was a cave–pleasant kind of cave–where the lovers would meet to plan their marriage. But there was also a villain, and he wanted the princess for him. So, one day, he went to the cave to convince her to marry him. When she refused, he threatened to force her to marry him. She told him she would trade his hand for a magic scarf that was impossible to pierce by blade. Of course, he didn’t believe her, so she let him test it…on her. Of course, it didn’t work, and of course she knew that. But I guess suicide was considered a better option than a forced marriage… but the story doesn’t end there. Even though the princess died, our prince from the other castle tracked down the villain and avenged her death, and spent the rest of his days caring for their castles and protecting her cave. People started coming there, leaving their marks (coat of arms) in the stone. You can still make a pilgrimage there, hiking from Sigulda all the way to her castle’s ruins in Turaida. In the woods along the way, you can make a detour in order to pay homage to the Rose of Turaida and her infamous cave…

 

House of the Blackheads, Riga, Latvia

 

Riga, Latvia

Riga, along with the rest of the Baltics, are surely one of the most beautiful and interesting places you’ll visit. The people in the Baltics are not only friendly, fun and adventurous, but they are strong, brave, resilient, and when they put their minds together, there is no stopping them. On August 23, 1989, they proved exactly that. Roughly 2 million people took to the streets, grasped each others’ hands, and formed a human chain that linked the three Baltic capitals: Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn. For over 675.5 km (419.7 miles), the Lithuanians, Latvians and Estonians stood hand in hand, briefly becoming one identity to show the intense solidarity that existed–and still exists!–between the three states. It was designed to show the world their united desire for independence as well as the illegal occupation of the USSR, and even though Moscow tried to retaliate, only a few months later, Lithuania was a free state. Latvia and Estonia followed not long after. Can you imagine a chain of human beings that stretched across three countries, for almost 700 km? Can you imagine the effort, the initiative, the planning, the teamwork that the Baltic Way took? How about the feel of another person’s hand in yours, grasping it as if your life depended on it? Can you feel the shivers go up and down your spine? The Baltic solidarity and determination is an amazing feat. It is a beautiful thing. It is what happens when three nations work together in a peaceful protest to accomplish a common goal. If that isn’t a reason to visit, I don’t know what is.

Riga, Latvia

Nativity of Christ Cathedral, Riga, Latvia

Latvia—like its neighbours Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, etc—was once a part of the Russian Empire, and the Russians, as you know, are orthodox. Therefore, in the years 1867-83, the Russians got to work constructing an orthodox house of worship in the centre of Riga, Latvia’s capital. Built in the Neo-Byzantine style, Riga’s cathedral still stands proudly in the in downtown Riga. While other ex-Russian satellite nations have torn down their cathedrals (*cough Poland cough*), Riga still has one right in the centre. Despite the mostly-negative impact of Russian occupation of the Baltic States, it is important to remember and recognise all aspects of history—and to appreciate culture and beauty. Because the Nativity of Christ Cathedral is beautiful! Russian Orthodox cathedrals usually are. The biggest Orthodox cathedral in the Baltics, it was commissioned by Tsar Alexander II. The church was briefly a Lutheran cathedral—and later a planetarium in the early days of independent Latvia—but since 1991, it has been restored to its original design. And now today, it resembles a delicious gateau enough to make my mouth water…!

Krimulda Castle, Latvia

Ruins in Krimulda, Latvia

Ruins always hold a certain charm–reminders to us that even the best eventually crumble and nothing lasts forever. And yet–they are romantic too, inspirations for artists and poets, writers and songwriters. And the more remote and less well-known they are, the more charm they seem to percolate. To reach the ruins of Krimulda Castle from the train station in Sigulda, one must first cross the desolate yet beautifully scenic Gauja Valley–in a cable car! Step into this adorable little yellow car, and spend the next twenty minutes dangling over the gorge, eyes glued to the window as the turrets of Turaida Castle rise above the treetops. As you land on the right bank, delve back into the solitary Latvian woods via a quiet hiking trail at the edge of the ruins. The odd way of reaching this remote place you never even knew was there–such as the Krimulda ruins–only makes it that much more…amazing. Built in the 14th century by Prince Liven, the castle of Krimulda was constructed on the right bank of the Gauja River Gorge. At the time, the gorge marked the frontier between the lands controlled by the Archbishop of Riga (including Krimulda and Turaida), and the Order of the Brethren Sword (what a name!), where Sigulda is currently located. The first year of the 17th century, during the Polish-Swedish war, the Swedes took control of the castle…so, rather than lose control of it, the Poles burned the castle to the ground, leaving it to become the ruins we see today. What a life people lived back then.

Turaida Castle, Latvia

Turaida Castle, Latvia

What little girl doesn’t dream of becoming a princess? What little boy doesn’t, at one point or another, dream of becoming a knight? Even as we grow up, castles – especially the unexplored, wild, and overgrown castles – retain something romantic, as if the castle holds some sort of magical power. But as they say, it’s the journey, not the destination, that counts. And the journey to reach Turaida Castle is nothing short of adventurous! Starting in the town of Sigulda (where one obtains the highly-detailed map), you continue through the other ruinous castle to Gauja River Gorge, which you cross via cable car to arrive in the ghost town of Krimulda. There, you find a small path leading through more ruins, and continuing on past the Gutmanis Cave, through the woods before breaking out into a small clearing to view your prize—this beautiful brick castle circa 1214, brought to life by the Archbishop of Riga. Today, Turaida Castle remains one of the most important ruins in Latvia – but also one of the most interesting to visit. So if you’re feeling brave next time you visit Riga, forsake the car, forsake the bus, and take to the trails. This age-old journey leading through these ancient sites is well worth it.

 

Krimulda Manor House, Krimulda, Latvia

Krimulda Manor House, Krimulda, Latvia

Just the thought of a quiet village located on a cliff in the woods of Lativa is a bit eerie. Throw in a creepy old decrepit manor house, a windy grey sky, leafless trees, and the fact that you are totally alone in this abandoned corner of Latvia and can hear every single noise the world tosses your way, and suddenly you’ve got shivers on your spine (and that’s not just because you’re too cheap to turn on the radiator). Built in 1822, the Krimulda Manor House seems like it hasn’t seen much care ever since. Well, nothing in Krimulda has, which is just a small collection of houses barely qualifying as a village crossroads. (Though there are some small ruins of an old castle there, which are actually quite fascinating.) The Manor House however, is another story. Built by persons called (wait for it…) Counts von Lieven, in neo-classical style (aka creepily curving roof and huge scary porch with peeling columns style), its peeling paint, faded facade and creaking shutters scream Scooby-Doo-esque frights. The fact that it is now a sanatorium…well, that ends that. Creepy, creepy. Needless to say, I consulted the map, found the trail, and practically ran for the safety of the woods.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside

Gutmanis Cave, Latvia

In 1601, a baby girl, christened “Maija,” was rescued from the wreckage of the 1601 battle of Turaida. She grew into a beautiful woman known as the Rose of Turaida who fell in love with Viktor, the gardener at Sigulda Castle on the other side of the Gauja River. In order to see each other, they would meet in the middle, inside Gutmanis Cave. Into this pretty little scene, enter the evil Adam Jakubowski, a Polish soldier who had less-than-chaste intentions for young Maija after tricking her to come into the cave. Thinking quickly (and deciding that death was better than rape), she told him her scarf was magical and could resist sword-strokes. He didn’t believe her, so she proposed a demonstration–which, of course, killed her. Though Viktor was originally accused, Maija’s half-sister witnessed the incident and her testimony along with Jakubowsk’s friend’s information about the crime, cleared his name. Jakubowski was later captured, tried, and executed. However, Viktor was devastated, burying his beloved Maija under the Linden tree and inscribing her grave with “Love is stronger than death.” Both the grave and the inside of the cave are still popular pilgrimage sites. (As a side note, the carvings seen here are the coats-of-arms of those who’ve visited the cave, making it is one of the earliest sites of “tourism.”) Step inside this cave, listen to its history, become a part of its legend and feel the love that still resonates here 400 years later. Gutmanis Cave still holds its secrets.

Riga, Latvia

Riga, Latvia

Most people have never heard of pretty Riga, the capital of Lativa, a country that once again, many have barely heard of. It’s the middle state of the Baltics, snuggled between Lithuania and Estonia, speaking a strange language spoken by about 1.5 million people and related to Lithuanian and Old Prussian. Yet, one can’t help but fall in love with little Riga–with 700,000 residents, it is the largest of the three Baltic states. It is an old city (founded 1201), a former member of the Hanseatic League and a current UNESCO site–as well as known for it’s art nouveau. Following the impressive display of human collaboration in the Human Chain that linked the three Baltic capitals, the Latvians were finally independent in 1991. Outside of all that, Riga is just so European–probably because it has been relatively untouched. It’s unfortunate location on the continent meant that for some time it was swallowed by Russia and Germany. But as it is far away from the major European hubs, it Riga has been left as it is. Avoid the skyscrapers and commercial centres and ugly alluminan buildings. Here, whatever else has happened, at least the buildings are pretty.

Riga, Latvia

The House of Blackheads, Riga, Latvia.




These ornate buildings were originally built in the 14th century as a guild for Latvian craftsmen and merchants. Of course it was bombed and demolished by the Germans and later helpfully re-destroyed by the Soviets, but happily, the proud Latvians rebuilt their iconic buildings. The strange name supposedly comes from the Nubian, St Maurice, who was the patron saint of the guild. Today, you won’t find any Latvian guild hall members but you might see another interesting specimen spilling out of these doors: the panicked, bewildered tourist. The House of Blackheads has been converted to a haven for lost tourists…namely, the tourist information office.