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CENTRAL RIGA & ART NOUVEAU FREE TOUR

Uncover the magic of Art Nouveau & Riga's city life

12:00 See schedule when booking

Meeting point: Steps of Latvian National Opera.

Ends Alberta street

2 hrs duration.

Riga is home to one of Europe's largest collections of Art Nouveau architecture. Join us to discover City life today and from the past on our Central Riga & Art Nouveau free walking tour. A must do tour for all those interested in the Art Nouveau movement, its arts and architecture. 

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This tour is not just dedicated to all things Art Nouveau; we want to show you Central Riga and what makes the city tick today as well. A great way to see more, learn about art styles and trends of the early 20th Century and discover Riga’s magical Art Nouveau architecture. Discover the main streets of Riga best known for Art Nouveau architecture, such as Alberta iela and Elizabetes iela, as well as streets and areas less visited and frequently missed by visitors. With literally hundreds of buildings in the style across Riga we offer you to see how the movement adapted to the Northern tastes of Riga, how it evolved and where it lead to.

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Riga home of Art Nouveau

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What will you see on The Central Riga & Art Nouveau Free Tour? We aim to show how the style in Riga developed from 1899 all the way through to the First World War and how elements such as National Romanticism intertwined into Art Nouveau and how Riga flourished creatively at the end of the Russian Empire. You will also learn about what is hot and what is not today in Riga.

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Joining our walking tour

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When you book a tour with us our guides will await you 5 mins before the start time. Please do try and be on time for the tours as we may not always wait around for latecomers to join the group. 

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Your guide will await you at the steps of the National Opera. In your booking confirmation you will receive information and links to a map showing the meeting points.

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If you would like to book a private group tour of Art Nouveau in Riga, feel free to contact us.

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Riga Art Nouveau tour

Find out what Riga is hiding away on its many streets

 

Join us for an unforgettable Art Nouveau Riga tour that highlights the city's most exquisite architectural masterpieces. This guided experience will take you through the heart of Riga, showcasing the stunning that make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the stories behind each building and learn about the artists who contributed to this remarkable movement. With every step, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for the elegance and creativity that define Riga's Art Nouveau heritage.

art nouveau tours of Riga

Art Nouveau a guide

Timeline of Art Nouveau

Origins & Early Influences (1860s-1890s)

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  • 1861: William Morris founds Morris & Co., emphasizing craftsmanship and nature-inspired designs, influencing Art Nouveau.

  • 1880s: Japonism (Japanese art influence) spreads in Europe, inspiring Art Nouveau's organic forms.

  • 1890: Belgian architect Victor Horta designs Hôtel Tassel in Brussels, considered the first true Art Nouveau building.

 

Peak of Art Nouveau (1890s-1910s)

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  • 1893: Hector Guimard designs the Castel Béranger in Paris, introducing flowing, plant-like motifs.

  • 1895: Siegfried Bing opens the gallery Maison de l'Art Nouveau in Paris, giving the movement its name.

  • 1896: Publication of L'Art Nouveau magazine in Belgium, spreading the movement across Europe.

  • 1900: The Exposition Universelle in Paris showcases Art Nouveau architecture, furniture, and design, boosting its popularity worldwide.

  • 1902: The Palau de la Música Catalana, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, is completed in Barcelona.

 

Decline & Transition to Modernism (1910s-1920s)

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  • 1910s: Art Nouveau begins to fall out of favor, criticized for its ornate complexity.

  • 1914-1918: World War I disrupts artistic movements; Art Nouveau gives way to more functional styles like Art Deco.

  • 1925: The Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes in Paris officially introduces Art Deco, marking the end of Art Nouveau's dominance.

 

Famous Figures of Art Nouveau

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  • Victor Horta (Belgium) – Architect of organic, fluid buildings.

  • Hector Guimard (France) – Designed Paris Métro entrances with sinuous ironwork.

  • Alphonse Mucha (Czechia) – Known for decorative, ethereal posters.

  • Gustav Klimt (Austria) – Painter blending Art Nouveau with Symbolism (The Kiss).

  • René Lalique (France) – Created exquisite Art Nouveau jewelry and glasswork.

  • Antoni Gaudí (Spain) – Architect of Casa Batlló and Sagrada Família, blending Art Nouveau with Catalan Modernism.

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