St. Peter's Church, Riga, Latvia

First record of the St. Peter's Church dates back to 1209. The church was a masonry construction and therefore undamaged by a city fire in Riga that year. The history of the church can be divided into three distinct periods: two associated with Gothic and Romanesque building styles, the third with the early Baroque period. The middle section of the church was built during the 13th century, which encompasses the first period. The only remnants of this period are located in the outer nave walls and on the inside of a few pillars in the nave, around which larger pillars were later built.

The second period dates to 15th century, when master builders Johannes Rumeschottel from Rostock supervised the construction of the sanctuary, based on the St. Mary's Church in Rostock. The old bell tower was replaced in 1456, and a bell was hung in the new tower in 1477. A 136 metres (446 ft) octagonal steeple was added to the tower in 1491, which, along with the church's front facade, dominated the silhouette of Riga. The tower collapsed 11 March 1666, destroying a neighboring building and burying eight people in the rubble.

Three identical portals by Bindenshu and Andreas Peterman were added in 1692. The third period of construction dates to 1671–90. The newly renovated church served for a mere 29 years, for lightning struck and set fire to the tower and church 10 May 1721. Only the church and tower walls remained standing after the fire. Reconstruction of the church began immediately under the direction of the master carpenter Tom Bochum and master mason Kristofer Meinert. By 1723 the building already had a temporary roof. Johann Heinrich Wilbern took over supervision of the project in 1740, and under his direction a new 69.6 metres steeple was built in 1746.

The church burned down 29 June 1941. Conservation and restoration began 1954 with research by architect Pēteris Saulītis. The work was carried out from 1967 to 1983 under the direction of Saulītis and architect Gunārs Zirnis. The St. Peter's Latvian Lutheran congregation resumed services in the church 1991, and the church was returned to the ownership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia on 4 April 2006.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Diva Correia (6 months ago)
9€ to visit the church and the tower… this is too much, in my opinion. The church is not special, also no decorations, very much empty. The plus is the lift to the tower: there we can have a good impression of the city. My advice is to go there during sunset hour, haven’t done it myself but realized that it’s a great spot for it.

Ross Daniels (8 months ago)
As well as history the views over Riga from the top are wonderful. The Church itself is a great example of Gothic architecture and one of the oldest and most notable sacred buildings in the Baltic States being originally built in 1209. Over time reconstructions have been made but current structure features elements from the 13th century, including some of the external walls and interior pillars. It has a really impressive spire, which stands at 123 meters tall, making it the highest church in Riga. It is from there that the views of Riga are great.

Kris Be (8 months ago)
I visited St. Peter's Church yesterday with my family during Riga Days, and it was a fantastic experience! The entry fee is quite reasonable at 9€ for adults and 3€ for children. As soon as we stepped inside, we were struck by the impressive height and beauty of the church. It’s clear that more funds are needed to complete its refurbishment, but the charm and history of the building still shine through. The waiting time to enter the tower was about 20 minutes, likely due to the Riga Days festivities, but it was well worth it! The highlight of our visit was definitely the view from the tower. It’s absolutely astonishing! You get an incredible panoramic view of the entire city, and if you're there in the evening, you might be lucky enough to catch a breathtaking sunset. Visiting St. Peter's Church is a must-do when in Riga! It’s a wonderful blend of history, architecture, and stunning views.

Sarish Mohar (9 months ago)
The church is okay - decent walk around but the Tower is wow. There's an elevator up and the views is breathtaking and you can see Riga in different angles. It is one of the few places in the old town that offers such a view and the volunteers and staff at the church were very nice and personable

Piranavan karunakaran (9 months ago)
St. Peter's Church in Riga, Latvia, is a charming example of Gothic architecture. The interior features beautiful stained glass and intricate woodwork, creating a serene atmosphere. The highlight is the panoramic view of Riga from the church tower. A must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts!

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