Academy of Sciences

This Soviet edifice is a cousin to similar statements of ugliness all over Eastern Europe and local nicknames for the Empire State building copy include 'Stalin's birthday cake' or 'the Kremlin'. Most Latvians just consider themselves lucky that the portrait of Uncle Joe that was supposed to be a part of the facade never came to fruition. If you look closely you can spot several hammers and sickles up top. At a height of 65m, the 17th-floor balcony is open to the public for a fee but only from April - November.