Vecrīga

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Historic Centre of Riga
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List
Type Cultural
Criteria i, ii
Reference 852
UNESCO region Europe and North America
Inscription history
Inscription 1997 (21st Session)

Vecrīga (Latvian: Old Riga) is the historical center of Riga, Latvia, located on the east side of Daugava River. Vecrīga is famous for its old churches and cathedrals, such as Riga Cathedral and St. Peter's church.

History

Origins

Vecrīga is the original area of Riga and consists of the historic city limits before the city was greatly expanded in the late 19th century. In the old days, Vecrīga was protected by a surrounding wall except the side adjacent to the Daugava river bank. When the wall was torn down, the waters from Daugava filled the space creating Riga City Canal.

Heritage

In the 1980s Vecrīga's streets were closed to traffic and only area residents and local delivery vehicles are allowed within Vecrīga's limits with special permits. Vecrīga is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as "Historic Centre of Riga".[1]

Gallery

References

  1. "World Heritage List — Riga (Latvia); No. 852" (PDF). unesco.org. pp. 3 (67). Retrieved 2009-07-25.

External links

Coordinates: 56°57′0″N 24°6′30″E / 56.95000°N 24.10833°E / 56.95000; 24.10833


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