Architectural heritage

The architecture of Riga has been built up over the 8 centuries of the city's development and it reflects this rich and varied history through the various styles of the changing times as well as the cultures that had a dominant influence on the city. This variety and richness has been recognised by experts of the United Nations and on 4 December 1997 the Central Section of Riga was designated as a monument of world significance and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The UNESCO decision together with the City's resolve will ensure that this heritage will be preserved.

The reasons for the designation included:

- one of the world's largest and best-preserved assemblages of Art Nouveau buildings,

- a city structure and architecture that reflects the various periods of city history, from

  1201 to the present creating a rich and complex urban environment,

- a collection of wooden architecture in the central city area.

Riga's heritage, which so far has been a well-kept secret, will soon become known to the world. The UNESCO designation and the Riga's 800th birthday in 2001, have put Riga on the world map along with places like Venice, Istanbul, Carcasonne and 50 other historic world heritage sites.