@All right reserved by the author
Riga’s old town reveals itself slowly. A local architectural researcher once observed that the city’s strength lies not in dominance, but in survival through adaptation. Gothic spires, Art Nouveau façades, and wooden houses coexist without competing for attention.
Centuries of trade shaped the city’s temperament—measured, observant, resilient. UNESCO recognition protected structures, but local restraint protected character. Streets invite walking, not spectacle. History is present, but never theatrical.
Riga demonstrates how cities endure when they resist exaggeration. By valuing continuity over reinvention, it allows culture to persist without needing constant validation.
Date: 30/01/26
Rajat Chandra Sarmah
Guwahati, Assam, India
Instagram: @rajatchandrasarmah5
YouTube: Converse With A Smile
musingofrajat.wordpress.com 