Jewish Heritage of Riga
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Port
Riga, Latvia
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
Local Sightseeing,All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$79.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals included
Riga's Jewish community dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Although the Jewish people faced restrictions on buying land, choice of profession, and education, more than 44,000 Jews were living in Riga by the time World War II began. This poignant four-hour tour showcases the Jews' incredible resilience and unforgettable history.
Enjoy a panoramic drive through Riga. Watch for ruins of the Big Choral Synagogue, built in 1868. It was the most beautiful synagogue in Riga and famous for its singers, cantors and choir but it has a grisly history which your guide will share with you.
Bikur Holim, the Jewish Hospital is nearby, and you will also see the Old Jewish Cemetery. Jews were not allowed to be buried within Riga's city limits before 1725. The cemetery was destroyed by the Nazis and later converted into a park.
On the outskirts of the city, you will visit the Rumbula Forest, where more than 25,000 European Jews were executed by the Nazis in 1941. A grey memorial stone details the sad events.
Your tour concludes with a return to the Old Town and short walking tour. You will see the only functioning synagogue in Riga today, and you will visit its reconstructed premises.
Notes:
Wear comfortable walking shoes. There are cobblestones in Old Town of Riga and grassy terrain at Rumbula. Distances are short and walking is optional. Guests may remain on the coach at any time. The Synagogue is closed to visitors on Saturdays; a visit to the Jews in Lavtia Museum will be substituted.