Description
Mežaparks is a neighbourhood in North Central Riga, Latvia. The name is literally translated as 'forest park'. The park was built in the early 20th century and was originally called Kaiserwald. During the Second World War, a concentration camp was located in this park, and many Jews, Gypsies, communists, and other opponents of Nazi rule were murdered in these woods. In 1944, a brief battle took place in Kaiserwald between the Nazi forces and their Latvian collaborators, and the Soviet army. The Soviets won, and quickly reconquered the rest of Riga.One of the wealthier areas of Riga, the park hosts the Latvian Song and Dance Festival in late July every 5 years, most recently in 2008.Mežaparks is also host to the Riga Zoo and its lakeside locale allows for various water sporting activities. There is also an amusement park in Mežaparks, which makes the neighborhood a popular summer destination for Riga residents
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