Monument of Freedom

National Architectural Monument,
1935.

A symbol of freedom for the Latvian people, built largely on public donations and was officially unveiled on 18 November 1935 - the day when in 1918 the independent Republic of Latvia was founded. The monument is made of light grey and rubicund Finnish granite and Italian travertine, while the statue of Freedom was cast on bronze in Sweden (sculptor Kārlis Zāle, architect E. Štālbergs). The three golden stars were forged by metal forgers J. Zobens and A. Naika.
During the Soviet occupation gatherings of people and laying flowers at the monument were forbidden.

With the national awakening, despite of possible repressions, there were meetings taking place at the monument, people gathered together to commemorate the most significant events for the Latvian nation - proclamation of the Republic of Latvia, struggles for freedom, occupations and repressions. Members of “Helsinki-86”, the human rights protection group, were the first who did it openly on 14 June 1987. After Latvia regained its independence, the guard of honour was resumed at the monument.