Art Nouveau Riga

Riga's location as an ice-free port near the Baltic Sea made it wealthy. Art Nouveau style architecture flourished here at the turn of the century.

The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia was another sobering review of the sad history of this region from 1940 until independence in 1993. Didn't go to Riga's KGB museum; seeing the one in Vilnius was sufficiently horrible.

On a cheerier note today was the date of the Riga marathon, tens of thousands participating at various distances all day. The bright spring sunshine and blocked off roads made a pleasant day for strolling the old town. And then there is this statue. Surprisingly sophisticated town.