Laima Clock
{{Short description|Street clock in Riga, Latvia}}
{{Infobox monument|monument_name=Laima Clock|native_name=Laimas pulkstenis|image=Reloj Laima, Riga, Letonia, 2012-08-07, DD 03.JPG|caption=The clock and the Freedom Monument|location=The street Brīvības bulvāris|designer=|type=|material=|length=|width=|height=|begin=|complete=1924|open=|dedicated_to=|map_image=|map_caption=|map_width=|coordinates={{coord|56.95051|24.11203|format=dms|type:landmark_region:LV|display=inline,title}}|lat=|long=|extra=|module=}}
The Laima Clock ({{langx|lv|Laimas pulkstenis}}) is a landmark in central Riga, Latvia. Its location between the Old Town and the Centre commercial district has made it a landmark of the city.{{cite web|url=http://www.citariga.lv/eng/rigas-apskates-vietas/rigas-centrs/laimas-pulkstenis/|title=Laima Clock|publisher=Cita Riga|accessdate=October 18, 2017}}
History
The clock was completed in 1924 and initially was called the Big Clock (Lielais pulkstenis), but began to carry the name of the Laima confectionery company in 1936.{{cite news|url=https://bnn-news.com/reconstruction-of-laima-clock-in-riga-commences-175436|title=Reconstruction of Laima clock in Riga commences|date=November 27, 2017|publisher=Baltic News Network|accessdate=September 19, 2018}} During the Latvia SSR it was used as a political information stand. In 1999 the Laima Clock was fully reconstructed and its original design restored. On December 12, 2012, at 12:00 the clock rang for the first time since its installation.{{cite news|url=https://bnn-news.com/laima-clocks-rang-time-83500|title=Laima clocks rang for the first time ever|date=December 12, 2012|publisher=Baltic News Network|accessdate=October 18, 2017}}
Beginning from November 27, 2017, the clock was reconstructed again. The new style clock designed by Arvis Sproģis was unveiled on December 29, 2017. The reconstruction cost a total of 106,000 euros and was covered by Orkla Group as a gift for 100th Anniversary of the Latvian Republic.
In 2012, construction of another Laima-branded clock was completed in Sigulda.{{cite web|title=Stacijas laukums un Laimas pulkstenis|trans-title=Station Square and laima Clock|website=tourism.sigulda.lv|url=https://tourism.sigulda.lv/en/objects/what-to-see/culture-arts-and-crafts/urban-environment-objects-and-sculptures/station-square-and-laima-clock/|access-date=14 September 2024|lang=lv}}
References
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