Jewish Heritage in Riga Art Nouveau (3h)
From: 280 €
Book this 3-hour walking private tour and discover the Jewish Heritage in Riga’s Art Nouveau from an historian who specializes both in Jewish history of Riga and Art Nouveau architecture. It makes this tour both Exclusive and Unique.
This Half Day private tour is not just a Jewish Heritage tour in Riga. It focuses on Art Nouveau as well as in Jewish Heritage, and that is why historic places like the Riga Ghetto Museum are not included in this tour.
The main highlights of the tour will a series of exceptional Art Nouveau buildings designed by Jewish architect Paul Mandelstamm and civil engineer Mikhail Eisenstein, two important contributors of Art Nouveau in Riga. In addition to the sight of all these buildings, some of which are real gems of Riga’s architecture, you will also visit the Synagogue , located in the Old Riga quarter.
Through centuries the Riga and Jewish history has been so interwoven that it is almost inseparable. Jews played and play an important role in the country’s economical and cultural life. In this guided private tour you will discover the histories hidden in the buildings that your private guide will unfold.
If you love Art Nouveau and are interested in the Jewish Heritage, this tour is a MUST!
Prices for your private group as a whole (price per price person can be lower than 18€ depending on the size of your private group):
1 – 7 PAX = 280€
8 – 10 PAX = 310€
11 – 12 PAX = 330€
+12 PAX – Please Contact Us
Tell us your group size and choose the Date and Time of your Art Nouveau experience. Reserve early to guarantee availability.
Having trouble booking online? Don’t hesitate to WhatsApp/Call us at +34 667 823 001 or email us now
Description
Itinerary
This unique three hours walking private tour will help you discover the Jewish Heritage in Riga’s Art Nouveau. This exclusive tour is conducted by a local historian specialised both in Jewish history of Riga and Art Nouveau architecture.
Your private guide will show you the Jewish Heritage in two areas of the city of Riga: the Old Riga (in the Old Town) and the Art Nouveau District (also called “The Quiet Center”). These are the two areas of the City that first adopted this Art Style and are key to understand the influence of Jewish architects in Riga.
First, in the Old Town you will enjoy the ten best buildings of Paul Mandelstamm. He was a Jewish architect murdered by the Nazis in 1941. Mandelstamm designed more than 50 buildings in the city and worked on the construction of the first electric tram line in Riga in 1900–1901. Mandelstamm is a key figure of the Perpendicular trend within Latvian Jugendstil movement.
In the same area, you will visit the Art Nouveau style Synagogue Peitav-Shul, built in 1905 and consecrated the same year. It was the only synagogue which survived the Holocaust in Riga. During the Nazi occupations it was used as a warehouse and the building was not burned to the ground as others had been due to its lose proximity to other houses in Old Riga. Nowadays one of the only two active in Latvia (the other one is located in Daugavpils). You will see texts in Hebrew there.
During the Old Riga walk you will see may other examples of Art Nouveau as well as special neighborhoods and buildings, for example the building were the famous photographer Philippe Halsman lived.
On your way to the Art Nouveau District you will pass by the museum “Jews in Riga“ that is located in the former Jewish club, currently Riga Jewish community center. One of architects was Paul Mandelstamm. A visit of the Museum as a part of your private tour is optional. In the same building a coffee and kosher food is available.
Finally, the Jewish civil engineer Mikhail Eisenstein, the most popular Art Nouveau Architect north of Paris, a designer with a similar recognition like with Gaudí in Barcelona and Lavirotte in Paris or Horta in Brussels. Most of Eisenstein buildings are located in Albert Street, and each of them has an interesting history that will amuse and entertain you. He is the main figure of the Decorative Eclecticism trend within Latvian Jugendstil movement.
The history in Riga and the Jewish heritage is connected and during this tour your private guide will tell you about it. You will be accompanied during all the walk by the perfect guide to discover the rich Jewish Heritage that the Latvian capital has to offer.
Note – Depending on the starting point of the tour the order of the tour can be reversed. Our guide will also be flexible to alter the route according to your wishes.
Duration: 3 hours.
Group size: Up to 12 people.
History of Jews in Riga/Latvia
By 1881 the local Jewish community in Riga consisted of more than fourteen thousand members (8% of the overall city population) and grew up to almost twenty five thousand when Latvia became independent 40 years later. If you are interested in some facts about the History of Jews in the city of Riga Click HERE.
The presence of Jewish in Latvia is confirmed by Jewish tombstones dating back to the 14th century, when Latvia was ruled by the knights of the Livonian Order. More information about the History of Jews in Latvia can be found in the Jews in Latvia museum website. Click HERE to read about th Judaistic history in Latvia.
Riga, a paradise for Art Nouveau lovers, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage list by virtue of the outstanding quality and quantity of Art Nouveau buildings, which is unparalleled anywhere in the world. The walk will lead you from Old Riga to the Art Nouveau district in the Quiet Centre of Riga.
Pickup & Drop Off
Pick up for this tour is flexible and can be done in your hotel/accommodation (within Riga old town or Art Nouveau District) or at the cruise ship terminal in Riga Cruise Port – Passenger Port (near Old Riga).
The guide will leave you in the other area of the city, so time is well spent visiting new places during the three hours of the tour. Tour can also end at the ship terminal, according to your interests.
Things to Bring
Pending cost of the private city tour price in cash (not credit card) and camera.
Inclusions
Professional fully licensed guiding service. Our guide will also be flexible to alter the route according to your wishes. The time to start the tour will be at the visitors convenience.
The time to start the tour will be at the visitors convenience. Choose your option right after selecting a date in the calendar. Choose your option right after selecting a date in the calendar.
Grand Palace Hotel Riga is our recommended hotel in town. When booking our private tour you will get a 10% on their Best Available Rate (BAR). See option below the calendar to enjoy our exclusive discount.
Exclusions
Entrance fee to the Synagogue (3 € per person).
For clients who have problem walking (2-3 km) we there is the option to go from Old Town to Alberta street by car/taxis. If interested, check the option below the calendar. In our opinion, walking is nice so we only recommend this option to people who don’t like, or have difficulties, walking.
We will suggest you to continue the journey having lunch in a restaurant with an Art Nouveau interior or special for Jewish cuisine. Your guide will recommend you several options.
Food and drinks.
Additional Info
It is possible to visit the Synagogue everyday except on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. If you are visitors are practicing Jews they can visit inside during the service on your own.
Museum Jews in Latvia (Optional) is closed on Friday and Saturday.
Payment options: Pay the booking fee by Bank transfer (recommended) or PayPal, which allows you to pay using your PayPal account or Credit Card. Pay the pending amount to our guide on the day of the tour.
Click on the calendar on the right in order to book this tour.
Cancellation Policy
Once the tour is confirmed, it can be canceled up to 2 weeks prior to the start date to receive a refund of the amount paid for the booking of the tour cost minus the service fee. Further cancellations and no shows are non refundable. All amount pending will be claimed.