Photos: Wind_Mill, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Diliff, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Photo credits
Photos: Wind_Mill, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Diliff, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Jorge Láscar from Melbourne, Australia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
The House of the Blackheads and the square around it
Your local guide
Laura Ozola
View profile
Highlights
- A guild house rebuilt from old photographs
- Original and reconstructed buildings, compared
- A square nearly destroyed, brought back
- Guild history, told building by building
- A strong first look at Riga's centre
About this tour
This session stands in front of the House of the Blackheads and takes in the square around it. You see the guild house's ornate facade, rebuilt after wartime destruction using old photographs as a guide, then the wider square where original and reconstructed buildings now stand side by side. It is a compact look at how a whole square was brought back after being nearly destroyed.
I start with a sound check facing the guild house, then turn slowly around the square, pointing out each building's history and taking questions throughout. A short note on the square's reconstruction follows by message afterwards.
It suits anyone interested in postwar reconstruction or guild history. It also works well as a first session before a longer old town walk.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 5 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Riga before heading out.
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Blackheads House facade 21 min
The camera holds on the ornate guild house facade, and I explain how it was rebuilt after wartime destruction using old photographs.
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Town Hall Square 21 min
You see the wider square around the guild house, and I point out which buildings are original and which were reconstructed.
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Your questions 9 min
Time to ask anything about Riga: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 4 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Grey peas with bacon and Central Market area, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Riga time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 10 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Riga, showing you Blackheads House facade and Town Hall Square live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
Do I need to know the history already?
No background needed. The guide explains everything as it comes up.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk the square live with my phone.
Times shown in Riga time (EET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Sat 31 Oct · 10 seats left From 26,00 €
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