The Black Cat House

To fully appreciate this story, it may require you to know where Riga, Latvia is. Where the heck is it, you ask? The city of Riga, the capital of Latvia, is located on the coast of the Baltic Sea. This northern European city is renown for its Art Nouveau architecture, and offers many intriguing sites to visit. Among the most popular of these sites is the Black Cat House. Atop its two highest points rest two black cats, placed there by the original owner in the 14th century. He was upset that the Great Guild across the street denied him membership. So he placed the cats with their rear ends pointed directly at his offending neighbor. After much debate, he was finally allowed entry, and the cats were turned to a less conspicuous angle.