Freedom Monument, National monument in Central Riga, Latvia.
The Freedom Monument rises 42 meters (138 feet) above the center of Riga and is made of granite, travertine, reinforced concrete and copper. Reliefs and sculptures surround the obelisk on several levels, depicting Latvian legends and the era of the independence struggle.
Sculptor Kārlis Zāle and architect Ernests Štālbergs designed the structure, completed in 1935 through public donations. A monument to Peter the Great previously occupied this site and was removed after Latvia gained independence.
The female figure at the top is called Milda and represents the embodiment of the Latvian nation, while the three stars symbolize the historical regions of Courland, Vidzeme and Latgale. Locals regularly place flowers at the base, especially on memorial days and national holidays.
The guards change every hour from 9 AM to 6 PM and perform a brief ceremony. The area around the site is pedestrianized and sits between the Old Town and the parks along the city canal.
During Soviet rule, the structure survived demolition plans after sculptor Vera Mukhina defended its artistic quality. Ragnars Mīrsmēdens cast the copper figure in his workshop using a special technique to preserve the facial details.
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Latvia offers a diverse range of sites combining medieval history and Baltic nature. The country brings together different periods and landscapes: the Old Town of Riga with its Art Nouveau buildings, the castle of Cēsis, the beaches of Jūrmala and the extensive forests of Gauja National Park. ...
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