Baltic states: History & Culture (off off Tokyo): Aug.2-8, 2014

I came to Baltic states, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, in summer vacation. I was expecting cool days before arriving here, but the weather was unexpectedly hot. 

I walked around the cities in a sweat. Nevertheless, the walking was excellent.

Each capital of three countries – Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn - has old town of medieval age in the center of the city. I walked along the cobbled streets.

Vilnius was a green rich. The old town was surrounded with woods.

Riga stands along the Dawgava River. It is now the largest city in the Baltic nations.

Tallinn's old town keeps the walls as well as many buildings (photo 2nd from the top).

The structures of the old towns are similar. 

They have market places in the center. City hall buildings guild houses and churches stand at the side of the market place. 









Both market places in Riga (above) and Tallinn (below) were beautiful. 













The cities are not only decorated with medieval history, but also with modern history.

Former prison of the Soviet regime in Vilnius is now a “Genocide museum”. The names of the victims are carved in the wall of the building.







There were many cells in the basement of the museum.

The barricade used in 1991 in the independence movement is reserved in the Parliament place in Vilnius.

A small flag of Ukraine was put on the barricade.

I visited “Sugihara Memorial” in Kaunas, Lithuania. The diplomat issued in 1940 transit visas for about 2000 Jewish families (who were under threat from Nazi) against the order of Japanese Empire government, and eventually saved 6000 lives.

The scene of the hill of crosses near Siauliai, northern Lithuania, was overwhelming (top picture). It has been a symbol of consolation for victims, pray, and resistance.

There are many Jugendstil or art neuveau buildings in Riga. 

Various carvings of human faces, animals and other interesting objects are on the walls.

I also found interesting sculptures in Riga. A sculpture of cat was on the roof of a house.

The object of the Musicians of Bremen was in front of St. Peter Church in the central old town.