Riga - Station area, Central station, Merkela iela, Bergs Bazaar, Stockmann

Station area
CENTRAL STATION, BERGS BAZAAR, STOCKMANN

This page is about the area around the modern Central Station, which is somewhat of a landmark with its tall clock tower. It is sitauted just a few blocks from the Old Town and Freedom Square, and is probably the most urban area with the most "big city feeling" in Riga. This is where my hostel was located (on the busy Merkela street), and it is a neighbourhood where you can find many large shopping centers, as well as some busy intersections and large roads.

STATION SQUARE (STACIJAS LAUKUMS):

Riga Central Station complex (Rīgas Centrālā dzelzceļa stacija) with its modern glass clock tower showing the "Riga" sign. The 2-storey Origo shoppping center and the Forum cinema complex are parts of the station. This intersection of 5 roads is one of the busiest in Riga. The first station building was built in 1865, in 1960 and 1965 two modern stations were built, but they have been reconstructed and heavily modified with large modern glass panels. The clock tower is a wellknown landmark in Riga.


Riga Central Station		Central Station and Station Square at sunset and busy rush hour traffic		Latvian Science Academy seen from Station Square


Origo Shopping Center, Riga Central Station		Origo Shopping Center, Riga Central Station		My hotel on Merkela street from Station Square

The busy intersection at Station Square next to the Central Station.

In this building on the busy Merkela iela opposite the station my hostel, Riga Hostel, was located. It is a small, clean hostel, with good service for a fair price. I also tried this Mc Donald's branch, better then most such restaurants in the world.

View of Merkela iela from my room.

View of Merkela iela/Krisjana Barona iela from my room.


Merkela iela		Riga Canal and Bastejkalns park, near the station		Raina bulvaris, towards the National Opera

BERGS BAZAAR (BERGA BAZARS):

Bergs Hotel, the brick building behind the red wooden building, is a wellknown 5-star hotel.

Bergs Bazar (Berga Bazars) is an upscale shopping arcade, adjancent to Bergs Hotel. It is mostly situated outdoors and consists of arcades and districts. It is very quiet, but the Farmers Market is held there every Saturday.


Bergs Bazaar		Bergs Bazaar		Bergs Bazaar


Bergs Bazaar		Marijas iela, next to the station		The luxorious Lux express tourist bus I travelled with from Riga to Tallinn


Stockmann, a large Finish department store next to the station		Stockmann		View from the top floor restaurant at Stockmann


Dish at the top floor restaurant at Stockmann		Stockmann, view/architecture		The top floor restaurant at Stockmann


Supermarket at Stockmann		Supermarket at Stockmann		Stockmann shopping center, main entrance. A small canal is flowing beneath the building!

STATION AREA BY NIGHT (click here to view the Riga by night section):

The Central Station with its modern clock tower and Origo shopping center after dark.

Central Station

Latvian Science Academy bldg above the Central Station


Central Station		The ground in front of the Central Station, with the "Origo" pointing at places all over the world		The ground in front of the Central Station


Latvian flags at Stockmann's department store and the Central Station		Forum Cinema Complex		Posters outside Stockmann

A bridge at Bastejkalns park close to the station.