The mysterious and beautiful Latvian city of Riga, which fascinates modern tourists with its monumental cathedrals and huge magnificent gardens, is hidden behind the high walls of ancient mansions, in the cozy yards of the Old Town. These places house the main treasures of Riga – unique museums and galleries, colorful bars and cafes, souvenir shops, and much more that can not be found in travel guides and respected tourism publishings.

The high solid walls of the city's symbol, St. Peter's Church in the very center of the historic quarter, hide two small Riga yards, the Convent Yard (Konventa seta) and the Jana Yard (Jana seta). They are separated by one wall with an arch so that travelers can go from one yard to another. Note that it is better to arrive here before sunset to enjoy the view of two yards at once. At night, the arch's gate is locked with a key.

The Convent Yard is better known because it is several times larger than the Jana Yard. It is surrounded by monuments of ancient architecture dating from the 14th-18th centuries. The main entrance gate is located directly in front of the famous monument to the Bremen Town Musicians, created by the talented sculptor Christa Baumgartel. From here, tourists enter the tiny square that houses the Riga Porcelain Museum.

Two narrow streets, paved with old cobblestones and filled with low buildings, lead from this quiet, calm square. There is a hotel of the same name with original rooms, souvenir and junk shops, as well as the popular Riga Black Magic bar. This one of the most visited bars by locals offers all sorts of the famous Riga balsam and dozens of cocktails made on its basis. By the way, the stories of the citizens deserve special attention, especially the ones about the rich history of the yard: once its territory belonged to the Order of the Sword, and then to the monks of the Third Order.