Jelgava is a manufacturing hub in Zemgale and also part of greater Riga as a significant share of working population commute there daily. It is the largest town in Zemgale, a fertile agricultural region so it has historically been quite affluent. Until 1944 it was reflected in the baroque splendor of the old town that was levelled by advancing Soviet troops and has not been restored. So in these days most of the place looks quite bleak. There are only few remaining examples of old Jelgava like Jelgava Palace and Academia Petrina. Bits and pieces of the old times remain visible also on the outskirts of downtown, but these are in a rather sorry state.