Like all the surrounding buildings in Town Hall Square (Ratslaukums), the city’s 17th century neo-classical Town Hall was destroyed in World War II. The current very aesthetically agreeable Town Hall, built in 2003, is an amazingly true copy of the original (picture 2), right down to detail such as the coat of arms and statue of Themis – Greek goddess of divine law and order.
In addition to Themis keeping an eye on the goings on of government, councillors are also under the watchful eye of Roland (also a reconstruction), from his perch in the centre of the square. See my separate review on Roland.
What I found most interesting about the Town Hall was a collection of bells on the roof of the south-western facing facade of the building. The bells (a carillon) supposedly date from the 13th century and are connected to, and rung by, the Town Hall clock, some distance away in the tower (picture 3). Looking at pictures of the bells closer up makes me wonder if they are as old as claimed. I have been unable to find out from whence cometh the bells or how they ended up here.
On thing for sure though is that it is well worth hanging around to listen to these bells which ring out on the top of each hour.
This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries on the Old City area of Riga. I suggest you continue with my next entry – Roland – A Symbol of Justice – or to start the loop at the beginning go to my first entry – SamaraH Hotel Metropole – Riga.
The Rambling Wombat 