Art Nouveau District

Overview

Riga boasts the highest concentration of Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) buildings of any city in the world, with over 800 buildings in this style. The district centred on Alberta and Elizabetes streets features lavishly ornamented facades designed primarily between 1901 and 1913.

Highlights

• Alberta Street: Eight buildings by Mikhail Eisenstein showcase theatrical facades with screaming masks, sphinxes, and mythological figures.
• Elizabetes Street: A broader boulevard with more restrained but equally impressive Perpendicular and National Romantic styles.
• Architectural variety: Decorative, perpendicular, and National Romantic sub-styles all coexist within a few blocks.

History

The district flourished after Riga's medieval walls were demolished in the 1860s, freeing land for expansion. Wealthy merchants and intellectuals commissioned Europe's most ambitious architects, creating a district that earned UNESCO recognition as part of Riga's World Heritage Site.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Look up — the best details (masks, bas-reliefs, ironwork) are on the upper floors.
• Tip 2: Pair the walk with the Art Nouveau Museum at Alberta iela 12 for interior context.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours at a leisurely pace.