Vecrīga

Vecrīga ("Old Riga") is the historical center and a neighbourhood (as Vecpilsēta) of Riga, Latvia, located in the Central District on the east side of Daugava River. Vecrīga is famous for its old churches and cathedrals, such as Riga Cathedral and St. Peter's Church.

Historic Centre of Riga
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Old Town of Riga
LocationCentral District, Riga, Latvia
Reference852
Inscription1997 (21st session)
Area438.3 ha (1,083 acres)
Buffer zone1,574.2 ha (3,890 acres)
Coordinates56°57′15″N 24°7′0″E
Location of Vecrīga in Riga
Vecrīga (Latvia)
Vecrīga
Neighbourhood of Riga
Vecpilsēta
Location of Vecpilsēta in Riga
Country Latvia
City Riga
DistrictCentral District
Area
 • Total0.944 km2 (0.364 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)
 • Total3,336
 • Density3,500/km2 (9,200/sq mi)
Websiteapkaimes.lv

History

Vecrīga is the original area of Riga and consists of the historic city limits before the city was greatly expanded in the late 19th century. In the old days, Vecrīga was protected by a surrounding wall except the side adjacent to the Daugava river bank. When the wall was torn down, the waters from Daugava filled the space creating (Riga City Canal).[1]

Heritage

In the early 1990s Vecrīga's streets were closed to traffic and only area residents and local delivery vehicles are allowed within Vecrīga's limits with special permits. Vecrīga is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed as "Historic Centre of Riga", which also includes much of the surrounding Centrs district.[2]

References
  1. Kadinsky, Sergey "Pilsētas Kanāls, Riga" Hidden Waters Blog July 5, 2016
  2. "World Heritage List — Riga (Latvia); No. 852" (PDF). unesco.org. pp. 3 (67). Retrieved 2009-07-25.
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