- Address: Central District, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia;
- Height: 42 m;
- Open: 18 leaves of the fall of 1935;
- Architect: Karlis Zale.
In the center of Riga on the boulevard of Freedom rises the main symbol of the sovereignty and will of Latvians - the Monument of Freedom ( Latvia ). It was created as a tribute to the memory of those who, without thinking, sacrificed themselves for the prosperity of the state and for the sake of the free life of future generations in a civil war. For tourists it is interesting as a cultural landmark of the country.
Freedom Monument - history of creation
The Freedom Monument in Riga has absorbed the whole amazing history of Latvia and the peoples who had inhabited it from time immemorial. Each of the thirteen prefabricated compositions decorating the foot of the monument, tells about the most important in life of Latvians and their ancestors. Each plate is carved with a love of work, a desire for freedom, a desire to live in peace and harmony. Each bas-relief has its own name: "Guardians of the Fatherland" , "Trud" , "Song Festival" , "Vaidelotis" , "Breaking Chains" , "Mother Latvia" , "Freedom" and others.
The Freedom Monument was created on the initiative of the local administration in 1935. He replaced the monument standing here with Peter I. The image of this symbolic monument, which became a visiting card of Latvia, was created by the Latvian sculptor Karlis Zale. Realized the idea of genius architect Ernest Stalbergs. The composition was made literally in one breath and was created in four years.
Monument of Freedom - description
If you look at the Freedom Monument in Riga in a photo, you can see that it is represented as an ensemble of stela, sculpture and bas-reliefs. The total height of the composition is 42 m. It is crowned with a nine-meter statue of "Freedom", which is made in the form of a young woman with arms raised high over her head. In her hands she confidently and proudly holds three "golden" stars, which symbolize three cultural and historical regions of the country - Latgale, Kurzeme and Vidzeme. The inscription of the obelisk, inscribed in large letters, says: "To the Fatherland and freedom."
The foundation of the monument is presented in the form of steps with bas-reliefs placed on them. Four stages contain 56 sculptures, divided into 13 compositions. Each composition tells about a certain historical stage of Latvia, the spiritual values of the Latvian people, mythology and epics of ancient indigenous peoples:
- The first stage or foundation is occupied by motives that reveal the basic values and the charm of Latvians. They bear the names: "Latvian arrows", "Guardians of the fatherland", "Family", "Trud", "Spirituality", "Latvians - singing people" and two songs dedicated to the revolution of 1905 and the memory of the liberation battles of 1918.
- The next steps are occupied by sculptural groups, symbolizing aspirations for sovereignty and reflecting the people's principles. Here are located: "Mother Latvia", "tearing chains", "Vaidelotis" (a Baltic priest worshiping idols) and the hero of the legends "Lachplesis".
Monument of Freedom - location features
In the Soviet years, near the Freedom Monument, there was an organized end point of the trolleybus route, and all the cyclo-crosss started from this place. Since 1987, at the foot of the Freedom Monument, the first public meetings of the Helsinki-86 movement have gathered. Approximately from this time рижане and visitors of city began to assign flowers at a monument.
Since the beginning of the 90s, the roundabout around the monument has been blocked, the pedestrian zone is organized here. In late 1992, the honor guard was resumed. The last restoration was carried out in 2006. Plates and stitches are restored, the stars, crowning the Freedom Monument in Riga, once again shine in the sun with a golden glow. This sculptural creation accurately conveys all the spiritual strength and versatility of Latvians - the desire for freedom and the love of the motherland, imprinted in stone.
How to get there?
The Freedom Monument is located in the central part of the capital, close to the Old Town . It is at the beginning of the central street of Brivibas . You can get here from anywhere in the city. It is possible to use public transport, trolleybuses No. 3, 17 and 19, buses 2,3, 11 and 24 go here.