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Offered languages
- English
I share Soviet Latvia through personal stories - from my family, friends, and people of Riga who lived it. This tour helps you understand how this history shaped who we are as Latvians and why it still influences our politics and perspectives today.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Look for the striking red granite soldiers - the monument stands between the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and the Daugava River.
The tour concludes on Ukrainas neatkarības iela (Street of Ukrainian Independence) in front of the Russian Embassy — a thought-provoking finale that connects Soviet history to the present day.
Itinerary
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1
At the heart of Riflemen Square stands the Memorial to the Victims of the Soviet Occupation, known as "History Tactile." Your guide will take you through its two distinct sides, each telling a different part of the same story — and you may hear it too, through the memorial's haunting audio installation.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
From Riflemen Square, your guide will walk you through decades of Soviet architecture visible in a single glance — from Stalin-era buildings to late 1960s modernism. Learn the controversial story behind the Riflemen Monument, and take in views of the Daugava with two more Soviet-era landmarks on the horizon: Vanšu tilts and the iconic TV tower.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3
Visible from the route, the Academy of Sciences — known locally as "Stalin's Birthday Cake" — is one of the most striking examples of Stalinist architecture outside Russia. Your guide will share the story behind it, including how it was funded, and by whom.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Monument 1905 The Fighters
On the Daugava riverbank, your guide will point out the Soviet-era monument marking the spot where Tsarist troops opened fire on peaceful demonstrators in January 1905.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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