Vēsture/History
High resolution... German language tourist map of Riga. Printed By: Valsts Papīru Spiestuve un Naudas Kaltuve, Riga (Eng.State Security Paper Printing Works and Mint, Riga). Source: National Library of Latvia. Latvia - Riga, 1939 [4341x4677]
Quite interesting to see the Ulmanis era names and details, like how Doma Laukums was 15th of May square (the day Ulmanis launched a coup and a key point of his propaganda) and the Saeima is not only obscured visually but not even mentioned at all, to name two things i see here
Did you notice that Livu laukums does not exist? That was a result of the war. Also no hideous RTU building next to Rīgas Dome. Vansu tilts obviously not built yet - Im pretty sure that the people who approved that project hated Riga. It splits Riga in two - it spoils the landscape around Riga castle and it is not that convenient - it directs a lot of traffic to kilometers of narrow streets. I think we should use the opportunity that it will be renovated and maybe just demolish it (ok, I know that solves nothing. I just honestly hate the location of the bridge hhahha)
Looks like the map included a future project, it was never completed do to the war.
Riga City Administration Building
The need for a new Riga City Administration building arose as early as the beginning of the 20th century; architectural competitions, reviews, and proposals were organized, yet no serious preparatory or construction work began until the mid-1930s. Upon coming to power, Kārlis Ulmanis initiated a campaign against the historical, German-influenced architecture of Riga, seeking to "Latvianize" it. Consequently, in 1937, an international design competition was announced for the new city administration building. The structure was intended to be monumental, symbolizing the spirit and strength of the nation. Its location was designated on the bank of the Daugava River, opposite St. Peter’s Church and the House of the Blackheads. That same year, a design by architects S. Antonovs, N. Voits, and A. Ginters was declared the winner; it featured a massive six-story building topped by an exceptionally tall tower—a tower that would have significantly surpassed the height of St. Peter’s Church. By the autumn of 1939, the technical design was complete, and excavation for the building’s foundation had begun.
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u/themasterturt1e Rīga 1d ago
Quite interesting to see the Ulmanis era names and details, like how Doma Laukums was 15th of May square (the day Ulmanis launched a coup and a key point of his propaganda) and the Saeima is not only obscured visually but not even mentioned at all, to name two things i see here