Brīvības iela explained

Brīvības iela
Former Names:Große Sandstraße
Aleksandrovskaya ulitsa / Alexanderstraße
Brīvības gatve
Adolf-Hitler-Straße
Ļeņina iela
Length Km:12
Location:Riga, Latvia
Coordinates:56.9516°N 24.1132°W
Known For:Dailes Theatre
St. Gertrude New Church, Riga
St. Alexander Nevsky Church, Riga

Brīvības iela (Freedom Street) is the central street of Riga, the capital and most populous city of Latvia. It is more than 12 km long, cutting across all of Riga, from the historical centre to the outskirts.

History

The street was the beginning of an important trade route - the road to the region of Vidzeme (Southern Swedish Livonia) and the Russian city of Pskov. It began with what is today Smilšu iela and went through Riga's suburbs. The city entrance next to the Powder Tower was initially the main entrance to Riga from the countryside. As the city expanded, the city gates moved more towards the east and the street was extended further.

In the late 19th century and early 20th various Art Nouveau buildings were erected on what now is Brīvības iela.

Throughout its history, the street and its three main parts were known as Große Sandstraße (before 1818), Aleksandrovskaya ulitsa (Александровская улица)/Alexanderstraße (1818-1923), Brīvības gatve (1923-1942, 1944-1950), Adolf-Hitler-Straße (1942-1944) and Ļeņina iela (1950-1991).

Today, Brīvības iela is divided into three parts:

Notable buildings

Brīvības iela