- Address: Central District, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia;
- Open: 1861;
- Number of platforms: 5;
- Number of paths: 12.
In each city there is a railway station. This place - the station building, the station square, trains and aprons - is the first thing that visitors of the city see. That is why they should attract tourists' attention with beauty and well-groomedness. Riga is no exception. And Riga Central Station is one of the city's attractions , which has a rich history.
general information
Construction of the first station of the city began in 1858. It was a small structure of wood and brick. It began functioning in 1861. In subsequent years, the structure was rebuilt, a new wing was added. In 1889, near the station building an Orthodox chapel of Alexander Nevsky was built, in memory of the family of Emperor Alexander III, who was saved after a railway accident. The chapel was demolished in 1925. The current station building was commissioned in 1967.
Riga Central Station is now the main train station in Riga, consisting of a complex of buildings, shops, kiosks and catering. It includes 12 railways and 5 aprons. Exit to the aprons is carried out through tunnels from the shopping center ORIGO.
Tower clock is a must see place
In 1964, at the entrance to the station, there appeared the main city tower clock, which was also a water tower. The height of the tower is 43 m.
To date, the 10-story building of the station, namely the tower clock, for visitors is:
- A convenient europark on the 0th floor.
- Modern shopping center ORIGO, located from the 1st to the 3rd floors.
- Beautiful two-level restaurant bar NEO, occupying the 8th and 9th floors.
Separately it is necessary to tell about the bar-restaurant. It can be reached either by elevator or by foot on the stairs. Two small cozy halls are connected by a spiral staircase, the steps of which are highlighted in the evening with the hall. Mirror walls additionally give the feeling of open space. In addition to delicious dishes (Latvian, European and even Japanese cuisine) and comfortable semi-circular chairs you will enjoy a magnificent panoramic view from the window! In good weather, the city can be seen as in the palm of your hand.
Bar-restaurant working hours: daily from 11:00 to 23:00.
Railway Museum
Which railway has no past? The whole history of the Riga Railway will open to visitors in the museum. Here you will see a huge breadboard model of the railroad of those years, as well as locomotives, electric trains, etc. On the street there is an exposition of locomotives and wagons.
The cost of the ticket for adults is quite symbolic, and for children there is no entrance. For a small additional fee, only for you will be included a breadboard model of the railway, looking at which you will return to childhood. The spectacle is truly amazing!
How to get to the sights?
Riga Central Station is located in the city center at Stacijas Square, 2, within walking distance of the Old Town .
The railway museum is also located at Uzvaras boulevard, 2a. Find it is not difficult. It is located from the station on the opposite side of the river, just behind the National Library building.