You don't need to go to London, to Baker Street, to visit Sherlock Holmes. The Holmes whom we all know so well as portrayed by Vasily Livanov, together with Dr. Watson, lived in Riga, on Jauniela Street.
This place is probably the most recognizable for residents of the former Soviet Union, because it was here that most films about foreign countries were shot. Riga, like a true actress, played the roles of London, New York, Bern, Paris, and many other cities.
All in all, Jauniela Street itself is not very remarkable, but it first appeared in the 16th century, near Dome Cathedral, and over the course of its existence changed its name a couple of times before becoming “New” Street, beginning at Dome Square.
It is only 225 meters long, but its size in no way affects its iconic significance. Besides Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, and Mrs. Hudson, the legendary Stirlitz and Pleischner from “Seventeen Moments of Spring” also visited here. A small hotel called “Yustas” and its little restaurant “Alex” still remind us of this today.
The architecture here has hardly changed since then, so this place is definitely worth a visit, as if created especially for pleasant nostalgia for “our” Baker Street and Flower Street.
