Brīvības Street, Riga

Brivibas Street known as Brīvības iela in Latvian, is one of the largest streets in Riga and translates as, Freedom / Liberty Street.

Running through the heart of Riga, Brivibas street has been known in the past as Lenin Street, Hitler Street, Alexander Street and The Great Sandy Road. Connecting the Old City to the Center of Riga and out to the limits of the city, it serves as a main shopping, living and business area. There are some great little cafes along it, some designer shops, some specialist stores and general shops.

You will also find the old KGB building, known as the corner house on the corner of Stabu Street as well as the Dailes Theater, Matisa Market and much more besides. Although the street can be busy with traffic, it is well worth the time to explore it. Start at the Skyline bar in Hotel Latvia on the corner of Elizabeth Street for a great view of the Old City and the Central District, before walking further down to explore and see what the city center is really like.

Monumental Art Nouveau buildings can be found down the length of Brivibas Street, so make sure that you look up!
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Brīvības iela is the central street of Riga, the capital of Latvia. It is more than 12 km long, going through 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:

• Brīvības bulvāris (boulevard) is the traditional name of the part from its beginning at the Freedom Monument to Elizabetes iela (572 m);
• Brīvības iela from Elizabetes iela to Gaisa tilts bridge (3049 m);
• Brīvības gatve from Gaisa tilts bridge to the city border (8450 m).