Foto: Ausma MellumaArkādijas Garden Park is a typical landscaped Riga park, located in Torņakalns.
In 1808 a private garden was set up here and in 1896 it was taken over by Riga City. In 1905 Arkādija Park was enlarged and new greenery was planted. The Mārupīte River was redirected through it, with cascades, waterfalls, small bridges and pathways created. In accordance with a project by Pauls Kundziņš, a stage for musical performances was erected here in 1911. 16 years later it burnt down and was dismantled.
liveriga.com
Arkadija Park is located on the Left Bank of the Daugava. It is like a large garden with many different paths, ducks swim in a stream that runs through there and there's even a waterfall. It became a popular place for city dwellers way back in 1794. At this time the park also featured festivals, theater performances, and even Latvia’s traditional Midsummer Celebration at the end of June.
Back in 1852. the Prussian Counsel General H.K. Vermanis had a house built on top of a hillside along with a large greenhouse. In the greenhouse he grew peaches, apricots, grapes and some rare kinds of palms. Then in 1885 when this property became a park an outdoor stage was built for theater performances as well as a place for sports. It started becoming a popular place to get away from it all and relax.
The park had different owners until 1896 when the city of Riga purchased it. At that time since the park is located between the neighborhoods of Agenskalns and Tornakalns the park was given the name Tornakalna Park. Renovation on the park began in 1900. Across from the park there is a large pond whose source is a small river known as Marupite. At this time the course of this river was changed so that part of it also flowed through the park. Cascaded waterfalls, small bridges, and other things were created to make the park a lovely place. In 1910 a restaurant was built called “Arkadija”, which in 1958 became a movie theater. Finally, in 1911, the park was renamed Arkadija Park.
At present, the park has gone through many other changes along the way and is not very large but a wonderful place to walk through. There are many delightful sights like ducks swimming in Marupite which ends in a pond. During the spring it is a wonderful place to go to see nature come awake again and it almost seems like the city is far away. The best part is that it sort of makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another place and time. In the summertime, there are special events that take place in this park.
wander.media