Elizabetes iela (Elizabetes Street), Riga

Elizabetes Street in Riga is a central showcase of Art Nouveau architecture, a style that dominates roughly a third of all buildings in the city's center. This distinction makes Riga the city with the highest concentration of Art Nouveau architecture globally. Most of these buildings were constructed during a period of rapid economic growth from 1904 to 1914.

The street is renowned for showcasing diverse Art Nouveau substyles. Initially, Art Nouveau elements blended into Eclectic architecture, creating "Eclectic" Art Nouveau. "Decorative" Art Nouveau, focusing on ornamental details, emerged in 1899 but faded by 1906. "Romantic" Art Nouveau, prevalent in Riga, mixes modern shapes with historical motifs. Between 1905 and 1911, Latvian National Romanticism thrived, integrating traditional Latvian elements. Later, "Vertical" Art Nouveau, characterized by elongated lines, gained popularity right before World War I.

Significantly, Elizabetes Street intersects with Brivibas Boulevard and is part of an area with over 800 Art Nouveau buildings. This district also includes Alberta and Strelnieku Streets, where impressive examples of the style continue. Notably, many of these buildings were designed by Latvian architects, including several by Mikhail Ejzenštejn, known for his decorative Art Nouveau buildings at Elizabetes 10a and 10b, built in 1903.

Furthermore, Elizabetes Street and its surroundings have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrating its rich architectural heritage. This area not only showcases the architectural innovation of the early 20th century but also serves as a testament to Riga's role as a significant center of Art Nouveau architecture.