For ages locals use to tell that from time to time a person is seen in Riga who is interested in the future of the city. The details may differ – it can be either a gentleman in a black evening coat or a pale virgin, or even a voice from the Daugava River. There is also no unanimity about the time of the appearances – it can appear on New Year’s Eve, or only once in five or even one hundred years. However, the question posed by this being to the first person it meets is always the same: “Is Riga completed?” Until now, all those whom it has met – guards, woodworkers or simply passers-by - have replied: "No, it's not ready yet!" It is believed that as soon the reply is that the city has been completely built, it will sink into the waters of the Daugava River.

However, the wise people of Riga know the right sort of answer – Riga will never be finished.