Riga Cathedral, Riga (must see)

Riga Cathedral is the city’s Evangelical Lutheran cathedral and serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Riga. It is one of Latvia’s most iconic landmarks, frequently featured in paintings, photographs and television travel programmes. The cathedral is also known for its distinctive weathercock, a feature shared by several other historic churches in the city.

The church was founded near the River Daugava in 1211 by Bishop Albert of Riga, who hailed from Lower Saxony in northwestern Germany. It is recognised as the largest medieval church in the Baltic states and has undergone numerous modifications throughout its long history. Notable figures associated with the cathedral include David Caspari, rector of the cathedral school in the late 17th century, and his son, Georg Caspari, who also served at the cathedral.

Following a 1923 referendum, the Lutheran Church was compelled to share the cathedral with the Roman Catholic Church. However, this decision was reversed following the 1931 Riga Cathedral referendum, restoring the cathedral solely to the Lutheran Church. During the Soviet occupation, religious services were suspended, and the cathedral was used as a concert hall. The Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation also occupied part of the cathedral complex during this period. Religious services resumed following the restoration of Latvia’s independence, and the cathedral is now actively used by the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia.

Once you step through the cathedral’s main doorway, pay close attention to the centuries-old layers of architecture and the massive white stone pillars that dominate the interior.

Next, head towards the southern transept to find the entrance to the cloistered courtyard. More than just an oasis of tranquillity, the courtyard serves as an exhibition space displaying fascinating artefacts from Riga’s past. These include the enigmatic pagan Salaspils Stone Head, the historic 1595 copper weathercock, ancient cannons and mortars, original stone carvings from the House of the Blackheads, and a lapidarium filled with medieval tombstones and noble coats of arms.

Last but not least, one of Riga Cathedral’s most impressive features is its magnificent organ, built in 1882–1883 and inaugurated on 31 January 1884. At the time of its completion, it was one of the largest and most remarkable organs in the world. Walk down the central aisle towards the massive historic pipe organ towering above the rear gallery, and take a moment to admire its intricate woodwork and more than 6,700 individual pipes.