Walking through the historic center of Riga, the old town, it is impossible not to notice the majestic building, towering over all other buildings - St. Peter's Church.
St. Peter's Church (Latvian name Sv. Pētera baznīca German Petrikirche) is one of the oldest and most iconic in the Baltic States buildings, the symbol and main attraction of the Latvian capital. Also the Church. Peter is a precious example of monumental medieval architecture.
St. Peter's Cathedral is located near such famous attractions as town hall square and House of blackheads.
The Church is especially famous for its distinctive, widely recognizable spire. The total height of the tower of the Church of St. Peter is 123,5 meters, of which 64.5 meters falls on the spire. The tower is decorated with public clock which was installed in the 14th century. And the spire is decorated with a Golden Cockerel, which also serves as a weathervane indicating wind direction.
All Golden chickens are crowned with spires of many temples Riga. It was the Cockerel is a symbol of Christian vigilance, since, according to the gospel, the rooster recalls the words of Christ spoken to Saint Peter, "Before the rooster crows, thrice you will deny Me".
The Church tower is well visible from any point in old Riga.
View of St. Peter's Church on the back side of the building
Here, at the altar part of the church, there is a famous monument to the Bremen Town musicians. The sculpture like a magnet attracts crowds of tourists who want to be photographed with a famous composition and rub the noses of animals for luck, from this the tips of the muzzles of the Bremen musicians become smooth and shiny.
St. Peter's Church is often called the Tower of Peter! And for good reason, besides the fact that the height of the Church is about 124 meters, then at the height of 72 meters is an observation deck, which offers a fantastic panorama of the old town, the promenade of the river Daugava and the surroundings of the city of Riga.
Entrance to the observation deck paid. The ticket price is 9 euros for adults, 7 euros for students with student card and 3 euros for students up to 18 years on a student ticket. Children under 7 are admitted for free. Riga Card with 50% discount.
On the way to the lookout point, you can meet an old Cockerel who graced the tower until 1941. The observation deck, you'll take the Elevator. The view from the observation deck and actually opened just mind-boggling.
Panorama of old Riga from the observation platform of the Cathedral of St. Peter
The photo shows part of the old town, Riga Central market, the building of the Academy of Sciences of Latvia, Riga TV tower and the river Zapadnaya Dvina
Here you can see the old town with its squares and gingerbread houses, bridge and Cathedral
In this photo, the yellow building is the famous cat house and Livu square with him
In the center of the photo, the town hall square with the town Hall and blackheads House
Peter's Church in Riga is the monument protected by the state. In the Church building are Church services, concerts and exhibitions.
During exhibitions the entrance to the Church is paid. Examination of the architectural monument, which is the Church and the exhibition costs € 3 adults, € 2 students and 1 Euro to schoolchildren. Cheaper to buy a ticket to the observation deck for 9 euros, the price also includes the examination of the internal decoration of churches and exhibitions.
In the interior premises of the three-aisled Church of SV. Peter you can see the history of the building and see many of the original interior preserved to our days - the crypt, restored wooden and stone epitaphs and manufactured in 1596, a huge bronze seven-headed candlestick.
The interior of the Church of St. Peter
The main Altar of St. Peter's Church
Original interior, extant, collected in the left part of the hall of St. Peter's Church
The original sculpture of the defender of Riga - the knight Roland. Previously, the statue had decorated the town hall square, but in the 41st year suffered from fire, after it was partially restored and transferred to St. Peter's Church, and currently installed a copy of it.
In St. Peter's Church every month is a new art exhibition of various arts - painting, graphics, sculpture, textile art and photography, folk crafts and so We came to the exhibition of art.
Useful information about Saint Peter's Church in Riga
Working hours of St. Peter's Church in Riga:
| Tuesday - Saturday: | from 10.00 to 18.00, ticket office from 10.00 to 17.00 /September - April/ from 10.00 to 19.00, ticket office from 10.00 to 18.00 /may - August/ |
| Sunday: | from 12.00 to 18.00, ticket office from 12.00 to 17.00 /September - April/ from 12.00 to 19.00, ticket office from 12.00 to 18.00 /may - August/ |
| Monday: | closed |
The website of St. Peter's Church in Riga: peterbaznica.riga.lv
St. Peter's Church in Riga situated in the old town, at the following address: Skarņu iela 19, Riga, LV-1050, Latvia.
The history of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Riga
Currently, St. Peter's Cathedral looks majestic and impresses by its magnificence, but his fate, he has a pretty tragic story. The Church was repeatedly burned, was rebuilt and reconstructed.
Riga Church. Peter was first mentioned in a document in 1209. Then it was a small room indoor type with three naves and with a separately standing tower.
In the 15th century as a result of restructuring were present Basilica, which was built a new altar part of the building of the chapel in the apse and crowned by polypolar in the Gothic style. At the same time the tower was erected an octagonal spire, after which the Cathedral acquired its finished appearance.
In 1666 the dilapidated tower of the Cathedral collapsed. In 1677 the unfinished new tower was again destroyed by a fire. After the fire St. Peter Church was reconstructed, and in 1690 took place the Grand opening of the new wooden tower, erected in the Baroque style, with several domes and galleries. It was then that the tower was the highest wooden tower of the time in Europe.
In 1721, the lightning strike, the Church tower was again incinerated. After restored.
During the Second World war, June 29, 1941, the Church was almost destroyed, the tower was again burned, and burned roof and almost all the interior. Systematic restoration work began in 1954, first of all restored the roof, and in 1967 began the restoration of the tower. After the restoration of the new tower of the Cathedral is decorated with new Golden Cockerel and clock tower. At the same time was installed and opened to the Elevator that lifts residents and guests of the city to the famous city viewpoint.
Photos of the restoration process of the towers of the Cathedral of St. Peter
From history we can learn that in medieval times, the Church was not only a spiritual center, it was also tied to the ordinary life of citizens. In addition to the clock tower showing the time, every day a special bell announced the beginning and the end of the day. Also in the tower a sentry was always on duty, which in the case of fire or attack on the city, raised the alarm.
