The Freedom Monument is a memorial located in Riga, Latvia, honouring soldiers killed during the Latvian War of Independence (1918–1920). It is considered an important symbol of the freedom, independence, and sovereignty of Latvia. Unveiled in 1935, the 42-metre (138 ft) high monument of granite, travertine, and copper often serves as the focal point of public gatherings and official ceremonies in Riga.
The sculptures and bas-reliefs of the monument, arranged in thirteen groups, depict Latvian culture and history. The core of the monument is composed of tetragonal shapes on top of each other, decreasing in size towards the top, completed by a 19-metre (62 ft) high travertine column bearing the copper figure of Liberty lifting three gilded stars. The concept for the monument first emerged in the early 1920s when the Latvian Prime Minister, ZigfrÄ«ds Anna Meierovics, ordered rules to be drawn up for a contest for designs of a “memorial column”. After several contests the monument was finally built at the beginning of the 1930s according to the scheme “Shine like a star!” submitted by Latvian sculptor KÄrlis ZÄle. Construction works were financed by private donations.
The Freedom Monument is a symbol of the independence of Latvia and the work of plastic art. This artwork is of global importance , to the struggle for the independence of the Latvian nation and its aspirations for freedom. The monument was erected by public subscription was opened November 18, 1935 . The authors – the sculptor and architect K. Hall E. Shtalberg . Symbolic language of sculptures and bas-reliefs describes the independence and defending the Fatherland , on labor , domestic and spiritual events of the struggle for freedom. Over buildings ascend the figure of Liberty on outstretched arms high above Riga holding three gold stars – a symbol of the unity of historical and cultural regions of Latvia .
Riga Old Town is one of the many gems of the Baltic region. Traders and travellers alike, have been visiting this famous port city for over 800 years and settlements on and around the site of the old city can be traced back even further. Founded in 1201 by the Bishop Albert, Riga was established as a trade out post and a fortified city that would be used in the fight of Christianising the local Pagans.
Today the Old town is home to many cafes and bars, clubs and pubs, hotels and hostels, boutiques and designer shops and would be unrecognizable by the inhabitants who founded the city.
The sculptures and bas-reliefs of the Freedom Monument, arranged in thirteen groups, depict Latvian culture and history. The core of the monument is composed of tetragonal shapes on top of each other, decreasing in size towards the top. A red granite staircase of ten steps, 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) in height, winds around the base of the monument between two travertine reliefs 1.7 metres (5.6 ft) high and 4.5 metres (15 ft) wide, “Latvian riflemen” (13; Latvian: Latvju strÄ“lnieki) and “Latvian people: the Singers” (14; Latvian: Latvju tauta – dziedÄtÄja), which decorate its 3 metres (9.8 ft) thick sides. Two additional steps form a round platform, which is 28 metres (92 ft) in diameter, on which the whole monument stands. At the front of the monument this platform forms a rectangle, which is used for ceremonial proposes. The base of the monument, also made of red granite, is formed by two rectangular blocks: the lower one is a monolithic 3.5 metres (11 ft) high, 9.2 metres (30 ft) wide and 11 metres (36 ft) long, while the smaller upper block is 3.5 metres (11 ft) high, 8.5 metres (28 ft) wide and 10 metres (33 ft) long and has round niches in its corners, each containing a sculptural group of three figures. Its sides are also paneled with travertine. On the front of the monument, in between the groups “Work” (10; depicting a fisherman, a craftsman and a farmer, who stands in the middle holding a scythe decorated with oak leaves and acorns to symbolize strength and manhood) and “Guards of the Fatherland” (9; depicting an ancient Latvian warrior standing between two kneeling modern soldiers), a dedication by the Latvian writer KÄrlis Skalbe is inscribed on one of the travertine panels: For Fatherland and Freedom (6; Latvian: TÄ“vzemei un BrÄ«vÄ«bai). On the sides the travertine panels bear two reliefs: “1905” (7; Latvian: 1905.gads in reference to the Russian Revolution of 1905), and “The Battle against the Bermontians on the Iron Bridge” (8; Latvian: Cīņa pret bermontieÅ¡iem uz Dzelzs tilta, referring to the decisive battle in Riga during the Latvian War of Independence). On the back of the monument are another two sculptural groups: “Family” (12; Latvian: Ä¢imene) (a mother standing between her two children) and “Scholars” (11; Latvian: Gara darbinieki).[1] On the red granite base there is yet another rectangular block, 6 metres (20 ft) high and wide, and 7.5 metres (25 ft) long, encircled by four 5.5–6 meters (18–20 ft) high gray granite sculptural groups: “Latvia” (2; Latvian: Latvija), “LÄÄplÄ“sis” (3; English: Bear-Slayer, an epic Latvian folk hero), “Vaidelotis” (5; a Baltic pagan priest) and “Chain breakers” (4; Latvian: Važu rÄvÄ“ji) (three chained men trying to break free from their chains)
