National Library of Latvia, National library in Riga, Latvia
The National Library of Latvia is a white glass and stone structure beside the Daugava River with 13 floors of reading spaces and collections. It holds over 4 million publications, research materials, and digital resources for public use.
The institution started operations in 1919 after Latvia gained independence, with Janis Misins as its first director establishing Latvian scientific bibliography. The current building came later and has grown into a modern research center.
The library holds the Cabinet of Folksongs, a collection of traditional Latvian folk songs that appears in UNESCO's Memory of the World list. This gathering reflects how deeply song and language connect to local identity.
The building is open to visitors on most weekdays with different reading areas for various needs. It helps to check ahead which collections you want to explore, since some materials are in specialized sections.
The building is called the Castle of Light and features a pyramid design that bounces sunlight across the Daugava River at different times of day. This light effect constantly shifts, creating a changing visual experience.
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