Riga Cathedral

Riga, Latvia

Riga Cathedral is the Protestant cathedral in Riga, Latvia. Built near the River Daugava in 1211 by Livonian Bishop Albert of Riga, it is considered the largest medieval church in the Baltic states. It has undergone many modifications in the course of its history. Certainly one of the most recognisable landmarks in Latvia, the Cathedral is featured in or the subject of paintings, photographs and television travelogues.

At the end of the 14th and beginning of the 15th century, Riga Cathedral was enlarged by building the western cross-nave and side chapels and elevating the side walls of the central nave thus making the church into a basilica. At that time the tower walls were also raised and an octagonal pyramidal spire was added. This tower can be seen in the oldest picture of Riga Cathedral - a Sebastian Munster's cosmography dating back to 1559. According to V.Neimanis, supervisor of Riga Cathedral renovation works in the 19th century, Riga Cathedral Tower was the highest spire in the whole city of Riga at that time.

Riga Cathedral kept its appearance up to 1547, when on a Sunday before Pentecost a great fire broke out in the inner city and the Gothic spire of the cathedral burned down. A new tower with a pyramidal spire and two galleries were built by 1595. Riga Cathedral rooster dating back to that time can still be seen in the Cloister of the Cathedral. During the city siege in 1710, the cathedral roof was seriously damaged. Later during the reconstruction works, the rooves of the side naves were rebuilt, too, by changing their slope and covering up the round rose windows. The choir obtained a Baroque roof and the central nave - its eastern pediment with the year 1727 on it.

In 1772, Russian tsarina Catherine II prohibited further burials in churches in the whole territory of Russian Empire. Following sanitary considerations, the City Council set aside a piece of land for a city cemetery outside the city. Burials from Riga Cathedral were transferred there, as a result of which the floor level of the Cathedral was raised. In 1775, Riga City Council, on the grounds of the conclusions drawn by the engineers of those days, ordered the demolition of part of the tower spire and building the new present-day Baroque tower.

From 1881 to 1914, Riga Cathedral Building section of Riga Society of Researchers of History and Ancient Times carried out major reconstruction and renovation works in the church and the Cloister. As a result of these works, the Cathedral and the Cloister acquired their present-day appearance.

In the 20th century, during the Soviet times, two major reconstruction works took place. From 1959 to 1962, Riga Cathedral was adapted and turned into a concert hall - the altar was dismantled and the seats were installed to face the organ. From 1981 to 1984, a Dutch organ building company carried out a major organ reconstruction. At the same time, the Cathedral interior was renovated and all utilities were reinstalled.

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Address

Doma laukums, Riga, Latvia
See all sites in Riga

Details

Founded: 1211
Category: Religious sites in Latvia
Historical period: State of the Teutonic Order (Latvia)

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Sintija Rubene (5 months ago)
Is definitely worth going on tour up to see Riga from top and learn little bit more from awesome knowledgeable guide about this church and history.
Willy Dinata (6 months ago)
Riga Cathedral, also known as the Riga Dom, is an architectural masterpiece located in the heart of Riga, Latvia. This historic landmark, with its stunning combination of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque styles, is a testament to the city's rich heritage. The historical significance and stunning interior make it a must-see for anyone exploring the city.
Andreas Heierli (7 months ago)
The tour up the tower at 12:30 pm is highly recommended (there are only 15 persons admitted per tour). First, the tour takes you up the clock tower with explanations on the history of the cathedral and the tower, especially. Up the tower there's the possibility to go out and walk around the tower on the platform. After coming down, the cathedral and it's gardens can be viewed included in the ticket. The viewing platform is not as high up as at St. Peter's church, but the experience is much more memorable climbing up the stairs (compared to going up by elevator).
Russ Lacuata (8 months ago)
Riga Cathedral is the centerpiece of Latvia's capital, originally built in the Romanesque style in the early 13th century. The Gothic and Baroque elements were later added to the architectural scheme. Services are still held in Riga Cathedral, and the building continues to be a part of cultural life. It does stand as an imposing presence in the historic district of Riga, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Alan (8 months ago)
The famous and centuries old dome cathedral in the heart of old Riga, it is definitely worth spending an hour or so here. At noon on most days of the week, a professional organist plays the famous pipe organ (dating back to the late -800s) as a mini 20-25 minute concert (concerto piccolo) for those in the sanctuary. It is just truly amazing to hear this instrument belt out the classic tunes. Tickets are 10 euros but also includes a tour of the tower where you can climb more than 200 steps to the top of the clock steeple see a terrific view of the city. They limit the trek to the top to 15 people and some of the steps are very steep. Don’t go with heels or if your slightly afraid of heights. After the climb, you can then walk around the church cloister where there are several artifacts from the old days on display.
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