Soviet History in Latvia

With a design inspired by traditional Latvian textiles, this monument honors the Latvian people who suffered under Soviet occupation.

This celebration of Latvia’s freedom and independence avoided demolition over half a century of Soviet occupation.

This ornate church has survived Nazi and Soviet occupation, including a short stint as a Soviet-era gymnasium and cinema.

This charming Latvian lane doubled as Baker Street on the Soviet Union’s version of Sherlock Holmes.

The mile-long pier stretches from a ruined fortress out into the Baltic.

This abandoned secret city is a crumbling wonderland of Soviet ruins.

A vast and unlikely aviation museum kept alive for over 50 years due to one man's tenacity.

This impressively complicated radioastronomy research center was once a tool of Soviet spies.