Riga's Icon: The House of the Blackheads

While we enjoyed Riga very much, I found it challenging to find a landmark that would make for a perfect postcard shot. During our guided city tour the day before, a few places stood out: the panoramic view from Stalin's Birthday Cake, the art nouveau houses just outside the old city, and the market square with the House of the Blackheads. Since I already had decent shots of the first two, I decided to focus on the latter for an early morning shot.The House of the Blackheads is one of Riga's most iconic buildings, originally built in the 14th century as a guild house for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a group of unmarried merchants and shipowners. The guild was named after their patron saint, Saint Maurice, who was traditionally depicted as a black African soldier. The building became known for its ornate Gothic and Renaissance façade, featuring intricate sculptures and decorations. Although the original structure was destroyed during World War II, it was carefully reconstructed between 1996 and 1999. Today, it stands as a major tourist attraction in Riga's Old Town, hosting exhibitions, concerts, and official events, symbolizing the city's rich history and resilience - Riga, Latvia