Riga Central Market

It is known that even before the First World War, Riga mayor George Armistead planned a total reconstruction of the main city market, which at that time was located on the embankment of the Western Dvina River. The history of the market on the Embankment was more than five centuries. However, plans to reorganize the outdated open-air market complex were not destined to come true so soon. Also, it was not possible to implement the project for the construction of a railway line between the city canal and the Red Barns district, built by order of the Governor-General of Livonia Alexander Arkadyevich Suvorov, which served as a transportation base. The project was adopted in 1910, but due to military operations, its implementation had to be postponed. It is known that even before the First World War, Riga mayor George Armistead planned a total reconstruction of the main city market, which at that time was located on the embankment of the Western Dvina River. The history of the market on the Embankment was more than five centuries. However, plans to reorganize the outdated open-air market complex were not destined to come true so soon. Also, it was not possible to implement the project for the construction of a railway line between the city canal and the Red Barns district, built by order of the Governor-General of Livonia Alexander Arkadyevich Suvorov, which served as a transportation base.

The project was adopted in 1910, but due to military operations, its implementation had to be postponed. The project stipulated that five hangars should be turned into five pavilions for trade. Functionally, one, the largest pavilion, was to accommodate meat processing rooms and commercial space. It had to be used by wholesalers. Retailers were given a separate pavilion for the "meat business." The other two pavilions traded fish, dairy and meat products, and the fourth was equipped to trade everything else - fruits, vegetables, battered poultry, confectionery. In June 1924, two red barns were demolished, but two years later it turned out that the sums required for construction were significantly higher than the original cost estimate. This caused a protest from the municipality and construction was temporarily frozen. In 1928 it was resumed and entered the final stage. November 2, 1930 can be considered the birthday of the largest indoor market in Northern Europe. It automatically took the first line in the ranking of the largest buildings in Riga before the Second World War. Initially, it was assumed that the market of such an original design will inevitably arouse interest among guests of the capital - and it turned out. Currently, the five pavilions of the Central Market of Riga can be considered almost unique.

There are six hangars in Europe, five of which were adapted for trade. In the designs of the pavilions, you can consider the features of functional modernism, the style of neoclassicism, which was widespread in Riga before the war - this manor pompous style traditionally served wealthy Riga merchants and entrepreneurs. Some details of the facades are decorated in Art Deco style. The pavilions themselves represent the tip of the trade iceberg - underground storage facilities and refrigeration units are equipped under them.

Today it is one of the most remarkable shopping centers of Northern Europe. Among other things, we offer you a unique opportunity to visit the underground warehouses of the Central Market, as well as to taste the favorite products of Riga residents and guests of the city for many decades - traditional Latvian black bread with nuts and dried fruits, sprats "Riga Gold", Latvian kvass and much more.