Russians in the economic life. >>

The route «from the Varangians to the Greeks» ran through Latvia. >>

Objects of an Orthodox Christian cult found by archaeologists in Riga >>

anonce >>

One of the most beautiful buildings of Riga. The first record dates from 1334. In XIV century Russian merchants had five shops situated near this house.  >>

Before Riga was founded a Livonian tribe’s settlement had been situated on the bank of Riga Lake. Today this is Albert Square. The archaeological evidence from this site proves without doubt visits of merchants from ancient Novgorod, Smolensk and Kiev. >>

The Daugava (Western Dvina) was an important trading route, which enabled trading links with the Moscow state and Western Europe to be formed >>

Panorama of Riga. 1650 >>

House of merchant Semyon Lelyukhin. Painting by J.Ch. Brotze.

Balsam works of Semyon Lelyukin, native of the Smolensk region. A successful trader of hemp, S Lelyukhin opened in 1789 in Kliversala a factory for processing Riga balsam in accordance with the formula of A. Kunz. The factory produced balsam until 1908. Balsam was not only supplied to internal areas but also to Western Europe. A similar strong alcoholic liquor is still produced in Riga. >>

Russian carpenters in Riga. Drawing by J.Ch. Brotze. >>