Construction, Education and Science, Latvia, Legislation, Real Estate

Photo: president.lv

Rooms and halls are currently being repainted, and wall and ceiling paintings are being restored. The areas of the roof that collapsed during the fire at the castle in 2013 have now been reconstructed.

Berzins said he saw that work was continuing on schedule, adding he hoped that the results would be for "everyone to enjoy for at least fifty years to come."

According to Lancmanis, although it initially seemed impossible for the project to proceed on schedule, it has turned out that both speed and quality are possible to maintain. Lancmanis praised the great feeling of responsibility of everybody working at the castle, noting that everything they did was being done with great care. The president will be able to celebrate November 18 Independence Day at the Riga Castle, said Lancmanis.

When asked who could open the Riga Castle after the restoration, given the upcoming presidential elections, Berzins said that the castle was being restored for many years to come and it would serve as residence for many presidents.

On the average, about 250 people participate in the restoration of the Riga Castle on a daily basis, as well as 60 to 70 restorers in their workshops.

The Riga Castle is to reopen on November 1. The cost of the restoration project is estimated at EUR 34.45 million.