Just opposite the Swedish Gate and the largest fragment of the old city walls you’ll see three long yellow buildings with orange tile roofs that are collectively known as James’ Barracks (or Jacob's Barracks). The structures were initially built in the 18th century as barracks for local troops and served this function for successive regimes until the end of the 20th century. They stretch for roughly 230m from the Powder Tower until Jēkaba iela, but are now occupied by souvenir shops, bars and posh cafés.