Everyone should have one....

Every Soviet occupied country seems to have a version of this building and Riga is no exception.  Usually labeled as a 'gift from the people of Soviet Russia', they all follow the same design, though oddly the architects of this one were all Latvians (no doubt doing as they were expected). Unlike the Moscow University or the Palace of Culture in Warsaw, the Academy of Sciences in Riga is more modest in size and actually not unattractive. The smaller scale highlights the handsome coloured stone and the stylish decorations are more noticeable.

Of course there is a great view from the top, though on the day I was there it was quite cold and I had it to myself.















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