Spilve Airport Riga A Rare Stalin Insight
It’s oppressive red coloured stone of the former Spilve Airport building in Riga. Which, somehow seems to reflect its history under the red rule of Soviet times.
The Stalinist inspired monolith of a building. Where, the roof pediment is adorned with very rare hammer and sickle carving. As very few can be seen in Latvia today.
Hammer and sickle on the building.
Colour carries through to the cavernous interior. Giant murals bedeck the walls, portraying the delights of being under Soviet rule of that time.
Wedding cake interior!
This communist propaganda was to inspire those that used the airport. Which was the busiest of airports in the Soviet west then.
Propaganda Soviet style the Spilve Airport.
Its grand entrance hall towers high above passengers as they would have entered. A huge mural showing Latvians in national dress carrying the red Soviet flags. A focus for any entering the building.
Unique Inside Views of Spilve Airport Riga
One shows a delightful holiday beach scene, another a key bridge over the Daugava River. But I wondered did any average workers of the time ever actually travel through there to see this? And indeed witness this propaganda?
A beach trip mural at Spilve Airport.
Although memories of this period are not regarded by most Latvians as being precious. One hopes that the building itself will be utilised and retained. Undoubtedly, it is an example of a type of rare architecture. And as such should to be kept for posterity?
Exhibition space.
Soviet signage inside indicating things like baggage point. Or on the exterior of the building that faces the runway with its name at the top in both Latvian and Russian.
Baggage sign at Spilve.
The interior described as that of a wedding cake creation. Likewise, the ceiling reminded me of Pharaoh’s tomb from the Valley of the Kings. With embossed blue and white star emblems covering the whole thing.
Ceiling decoration.
Completed a year after the death of Stalin. Riga’s Central Airport building opened in 1954. Following on, it went on to be one of the busiest and largest airports in the USSR western area.
Interior view.
Routes flown from Riga were to places like Moscow (Russia). Additionally, more local routes were to Tallinn (Estonia), Kaunas (Lithuania), Liepaja (Latvia) and Daugavpils (Latvia).
The taxiways still being used.
Firstly, the airport itself began life during the period of the First World War. At this time the Tsarist aircraft used the meadows in the fight against the Germans in 1916.
View of the runway today.
Communist Building Still Popular
Civil light planes still use the runway and old hangers. A flying school operates from there. Popular with many aviation enthusiasts whom use the hard standings to store their planes.
Today the former Spilve Airport building is used on occasions. Mostly for music events or as a temporary arts space.
Visiting the exterior is possible from Riga city centre. Which is just 5 kilometres away. Jumping in a taxi or try a more organised tour using www.rigabiketours.com . Where, they are happy to personalise a tour.
