Dome Cathedral
National Architectural Monument, 1211, XIII-XX c.
The building of St. Mary’s Cathedral or Riga Dome and Monastery for Riga’s Order of Monks, was started in 1211, as Riga’s Archbishop’s Chapel. By 1270 the main construction was finished. At first the cathedral was in the shape of a cross, the earliest section (the altar) was made of precisely arranged, broached, Roman-style limestone blocks, later the construction was changed into Gothic style. A monastery was built to the Cathedral’s southern wall as a residence for Riga’s Order of Monks. Between the church and monastery a square courtyard was formed with crosswalks. In the beginning the courtyard was used as a graveyard, but later it was used also as a market area.
During the period from 1888 till 1891, over the crosswalks were built premises for Riga’s museum and archives (now known as the Museum of History and Navigation of Riga). The cathedral’s first tower was destroyed by fire in 1547, and in 1595 a new tower was constructed. In 1775 when wooden parts of the building staled and became jeopardous, the tower’s steeple was removed and the present baroque dome replaced it. In 1884 the German organ producing company “E. F. Walker&Co” constructed the celebrated Dome organ, which at that time was the largest organ in the entire world. F. Liszt composed the coral, In Praise of God, for the 1884 unveiling of the organ. In 1856 the old main portal vestibule was rebuilt; in 19th century many annexations were removed around the cathedral. From 1989 until 1990 a wide alcove was formed by the cathedral’s walls made 3 m deep down into archaeological strata of many centuries allowing to detect the Dome Cathedral’s original size and to view the primary foundation of the cathedral.
Dome Square
The place that is nowadays called Dome Square is an immeasurable spatial formation for Old Riga. In the 1860s dwellings were demolished in the western part of the Dome and the present western entrance of the church was built. But in the thirties of the previous century the squares of private houses were destroyed to the north of the Dome. The square is surrounded by several monumental buildings built in the 19th and20th century. Among them the major attention is laid on Exchange House (1852 - 1855; arch. H. Bose), a building of Commercial Bank, resp. present Radio Committee building (1913 - 1922; arch. P. Mandelstam), and a building of the Ministry of Finance (1937 - 1940; arch. A. Klinklāvs).
St. Peter’s Church
National Architectural Monument, XIII – XX century
St. Peter’s Church, 1209, was the main place of worship for the citizens of Riga. The first secular school was established here in 1353 by the town council for the purpose of preparing officials for the city government. Sections of the outer side walls and some pillars inside still remain from the first construction period. During the second period a new altar was erected and semi-circular passage was built around it. During the third period, in the 17th century, the western facade and the steeple were built. The steeple was built in 1690 by Rupert Bindenschuh and at the time it was the highest, most elegant wooden structure in Europe, reaching 123 meters in height.
Today an elevator will carry the visitor to the observation platform. On a clear day one can see all of Riga and sea as well.
The ill-starred steeple has been struck by lightning six time, causing fire. On the last two occasions the fire was put out with milk. In 1721, risking with his own life, the fire fighting operation was led by the emperor Peter the Great himself. The church still burned down and all the art and sacred objects were destroyed.
After that incident the steeple stood undisturbed, till it was ignited by artillery shells on Peter’s day in 1941. The steeple was rebuilt once again in 1973. In 2001 the church received a beautiful gift – a 16 meter high oak altar that was a copy of the altar that had been there before the war. Seven graduating students from the Trade School in Riga constructed it as their diploma work.
St. John’s Church
National Architectural Monument, XIII-XX centuries
In 1234 Bishop Nicholas transferred the ownership of the bishop’s castle, which was located in the oldest part of the city, as well as several portions of land to the Dominican Monastery. Dominicans established there a monastery and a church, which was named after John the Baptist. There are two stone heads with mouth wide open on the outer wall towards the street. Some sources report that all Dominican churches had such heads that were used to announce the beginning of the sermon; other sources state that the head was used to train preachers – their sermons were to be heard as far as in Grecinieku Street.
Below the head there is a cruciform opening in the wall, covered with a grating. Two monks in the 15th century wanted to be canonized as saints so bad that they decided to get immured in a niche in the church wall. They were immured, leaving just a narrow opening through which passers-by gave them some food and water. Soon they died but the Pope did not declare them saints, sating that the Church had in no way benefited from their death and their action had been prompted by vain ambition. The opening was filled in, and the poor monks were forgotten – until in 1848 the spire of St. John’s fell during a storm. (The small Pseudo-Gothic spire we still see today was built after the project of Johann Daniel Felsko). During the rebuilding someone remembered about two monks and found the niche. It was filled in again without touching their remains and cruciform opening was left in the outer wall, in remembrance of these two monks.
The facade of the church on Jana Street is decorated with two 17th century sculptures in real size - John the baptist in prison and Salome carrying his head in a bowl. The interior of the church proudly displays its baroque altar with altarpieces by August Stilling and stained glass windows. St. John’s church noted for the fact that i has belonged to a Latvian congregation for over 400 years. Throughout centuries it has been rebuilt and enlarged quite a few times.John’s Courtyard
Here Bishop Albert’s first apartment and the first church were located. The next bishop gave everything to the Dominicans, who were in charge until the Good Friday of 1523, when Dominican friars, together with other monks, organized a big ceremonious procession through Inner and Outer Riga. Taking into account the anti-catholic atmosphere in the city, it was not a very wise thing to do. Lutherans locked the city gates and would not let the Catholics back into the city. The monks had no choice but to walk the way to Koknese, a town 100 km from Riga, which was the seat of the archbishop. Books abandoned in cloisters by these monks and later also by Jesuits became the basis for founding the City Library. The empty buildings were used for secular purposes. Councillor Schulte kept his horses and cows at St. John’s church, but later it was used to store ammunition. When a Catholic government returned, Stephan Batory gave the church to a Latvian congregation. When the idea emerged that criminals could be reformed, a penitentiary was founded at the present St. John’s courtyard in 1679. Vagrants, beggars who did not have a begging license from the St. George’s Hospital, criminals and prostitutes were all locked up here. Disobedient domestic servants and undisciplined members of aristocratic families could also be kept there for a special fee. A door led from penitentiary to the choir loft of St. John’s Church, so that the prisoners could participate in the service. The main castigation method was corporal punishment. Everyone was beaten twice: upon entering the penitentiary and upon leaving it – not to forget the lessons learned.
St. George Church
It is not precisely known when was constructed this castle. It was first mentioned in 1209 in connection to the case when brother of order Vikbert killed master Venno. After the murder Vikbert escaped from the residential part to chapel of the castle - later church devoted to St.George (St.Georgi, St.Urian, Sv.Juris). This chapel has given a name to whole castle often used in medieval times - castle of St.George, court of St.George
In 1215, when there was the first big fire in Riga and burned down the first Dom church, St.George church and castle were not damaged. This could testify that there were stone buildings. In 1225 papal legate Wilhelm from Modena consecrated chapel of St.George again. Starting from 1226 this chapel is called - church.
After 1330 as the master Everhard von Monheim started to construct new castle at Daugava, in the area of old castle there was placed the medieval hospital established already by bishop Albert - Convent of St.Spirit. This hospital moved over here from the site of the new castle of Order. Church of St.George continued to exist now as church of St.Spirit. From late 15th century to 1554 the area of former castle was managed by Third Order (one of Catholic orders). After the reformation Council of Riga rented these properties as storehouses - this continued from 16th century to early 20th century. In some buildings there remained shelter and institutions of the Convent of Sacred Spirit. At the end of 17th century name "cloister" from the toponym was omitted and there was used name - "storehouses of St. Spirit". Nowadays popular name is Court of Convent - Konventa sēta.
After the fire of 1689 buildings of the Convent of St.Spirit were transformed into four separate storehouses. In 1703 stone cutter Michael Merkley made four stone crowns which were immured in the walls of storehouses. In the middle of each crown there was attached figure of dove (symbol of Sacred Spirit) - in white, red, black and yellow color. The wide, high windows of ST. George’s were filled with brickwork, additional doors were made in the walls, as required for a warehouse, floors and winches were built in , and the whole thing was given the name White Pigeon Warehouse. Keeping in mind that the pigeon is a symbol of the Holy Spirit.
Only in 1879 J.Döring draw attention to the fact that these buildings are parts of semi-forgotten medieval church - at this time Riga city already planned to demolish these buildings and sell land plots for construction of new buildings. Thanks to the writings of K.Löwis of Menar the importance of this building in the history of Riga was recognised and project was terminated. Church of St.George was used as storehouse up to 1970ies.
In 1983 - 1985 Polish restorers researched and restored church of St.George. In 1986 - 1989 these works were continued and here was located Museum of Decorative Applied Art. There were partly left storehouse ceilings from 17th century.
Convent Yard of the Holy Ghost
National Architectural Monument, XIII-XIX century
The Convent was founded in 1220 by Bishop Albert in order to support the poor and disabled of all nationalities and social classes. They were given shelter, food and medical care in the Convent. Originally it was located in the castle of Riga (hence the name of one of its towers - Holy Spirit Tower) and then moved to this site. Prior to the Convent, the buildings here had served as the first castle of the Christian Knights’ Order and St. George’s Church of the Order. Construction here began in 1204; restoration of the complex a hotel was finished only in 1997. From the 15t century up to the Reformation the courtyard was used by Tertiary Order. The buildings here have been rebuilt several times; some have been added on in the course of time. House on the longer side of the yard have kept the old names of warehouses they once were. „The house of Gray Sisiters” used to be a nunnery. Clad all in gray, the gray sisters took care of sick and the infirm in the city and helped to raise and educate children. If they chose so, they were allowed to leave the nunnery and return to secular life.
The Convent was founded in 1220 by Bishop Albert in order to support the poor and disabled of all nationalities and social classes. They were given shelter, food and medical care in the Convent. Originally it was located in the castle of Riga (hence the name of one of its towers - Holy Spirit Tower) and then moved to this site. Prior to the Convent, the buildings here had served as the first castle of the Christian Knights’ Order and St. George’s Church of the Order. Construction here began in 1204; restoration of the complex a hotel was finished only in 1997. From the 15t century up to the Reformation the courtyard was used by Tertiary Order. The buildings here have been rebuilt several times; some have been added on in the course of time. House on the longer side of the yard have kept the old names of warehouses they once were. „The house of Gray Sisiters” used to be a nunnery. Clad all in gray, the gray sisters took care of sick and the infirm in the city and helped to raise and educate children. If they chose so, they were allowed to leave the nunnery and return to secular life.St. Jacob’s Cathedral
St. Jacob’s Cathedral ( Sv. Jēkaba katedrāle)was founded in 1225. It is the fourth largest church in the Old Tow, and has a colourful history. In 1482. During the recurring skirmishes between the city and the Order, the knights set it on fire with flaming arrows. In 1596 the steeple was hit by lightning but in 1621 Gustav II Adolf took the bell as a trophy of war and gave it to the Church of Mary Magdalene in Stockholm. In 1656, during the siege of the city by Tsar Alexis I, several grenades hit the holy site. Two of them were later immured as mementos in the nave and vault above the altar, but in 1710 the Russian artillery hit the church again.
The Brethren of the Order were the first to pray in St. Jacob’s cathedral, then it was the Catholic congregation. After the Reformation it became the first church in Riga for Latvians with first Latvian pastor Nikolajs Rams. The Polish king Stephan Batorry returned the church to the Jesuits. In turn the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf evicted the Jesuits and made it a Crown Lutheran church where services were held in Swedish, Finnish and Estonian. During the Russian rule the church was taken over by the Russian Crown.
In 1480 the church bought a bell and hung it outside the steeple under a small protective roof so that the sound would travel further. In the Middle Ages church bells had secular functions as well – they were announcers of a fire , approaching enemy forces and other important events. The bells of St. Jacob’s was also called the „poor sinners bell” for one of its duties was to gather people to watch the hangman perform executions in the town hall square. This probably the beginning of another legend – it was believed that the bell rang every time an unfaithful wife walked by it. It is said that almost continual ringing had so irritated the women of Riga that the bell was taken down.
St. Saviour's Anglican Church
A congregation was founded in 1822, and the foundation stone of the church was laid in 1857. A shipload of earth was sent from Britain so that the church could be built on British soil. Bricks were provided as well. The church was dedicated on July 26, 1859, as the Church of St. Saviour in Riga, and the first regular church service was held in November 1859.After the Soviet occupation began in 1940, the church was desecrated, but, starting in 1973, it became the home of the Riga Polytechnic Institute’s Student Club. During this period, the church was renewed, and it became a cultural centre and a locale for concerts, exhibitions, and dances.
After Latvia regained its independence in 1991, U.S. missionary Arden Haug founded an English-speaking congregation. Today, the church is home to the congregation of St. Saviour and other Christian congregations.
Our Lady of Sorrows Church
Is a brick church built in early Classicism form in 1784 to replace the wooden church built in 1761. The facade was altered in the eclectic Byzantine style. The statue of Out Lady of Sorrows(Sāpju Dievmates baznīca) that is positioned now to the outside wall of the church had been abandoned by Jesuits in St.Jacobs Cathedral when Gustav II Adolf drove them out of the city. The Lutherans found it among some trash and gave it to the Catholic congregation.
