Riga is a city of parks - this is the one in front of the Opera House and has a fine selection of statues. The red staining on this fountain clearly shows the high iron concentrations in the city's water - and indeed, the water from the taps tastes quite disgusting. Behind the trees rises the Freedom Memorial - erected in 1935 during the brief spell of independence under Ulmanis' rule. The monument, known to locals as 'Milda' is a poweful symbol of anti-Soviet resistance for Latvians and was the focus of gatherings in the late 1980's during early stages of the drive for independence.