- Address: 2 Baznīcas Street, Sigulda, Siguldas pilsēta, LV-2150, Latvia;
- Phone: +371 67 971 420;
- Website: tourism.sigulda.lv.
Awesome country Latvia is famous for its many architectural and cultural attractions , including temples located on its territory. One of them is the Lutheran Church of St. Berthold, which is located in the city of Sigulda and leads its history of existence from the distant Middle Ages.
Church in Sigulda - history
The church in Sigulda was built by the order of the legate of the Pope, who in 1224 came to these places to resolve the conflict between the Livonian Order and the Bishop of Riga. A year later a wooden church was built for the parish. The services were held in the wooden building of the temple for almost 260 years.
At the end of the 15th century, the stone church in Sigulda was erected at the present place. Chronicles of those years say that she bore the name of St. Bartholomew. During the Livonian War, the building was destroyed and restored to the beginning of the 18th century.
The church acquired its modern appearance in 1930, when the construction of a tower with a pointed roof was completed according to the project of K. Pekshen. In 1936, the altar painting "Jesus in Gethsemane Garden", created by the Latvian painter Ya. R. Tilberg, was brought to the temple and consecrated. The church organ, which today gives concerts for the parishioners and guests of the church, is an assembly of parts of other bodies. Original components were lost after the Second World War, but the building itself was not particularly damaged during the battles of two world wars. From Soviet times to 1990, this church was the only working temple. In its walls, the services were conducted by priests of different faiths of Christianity.
The Church in Sigulda in our days
The church stands on the shore of the reservoir, reflecting its snow-white beauty in its waters. The park around the temple is filled with peace and tranquility. The interior of the church, as it should be, is modest and unobtrusive and has such distinctive features:
- the ceiling is decorated with magnificent chandeliers in gilding, with lamps in the form of candles;
- The central passage from the entrance door to the altar is carpeted;
- on both sides of the path there are rows of wooden benches for parishioners;
- the altar, which was completely restored in 1936, occupies a central place.
There is a legend according to which in the columns at the altar the sister and brother - Anne and Bertul were immured, this sacrifice was brought for the construction of the church. This version remains just a legend and is not confirmed in the annals and other official sources.
In the museum of the church you can get acquainted with its detailed history and exposition, collected from the exhibits of local artists and sculptors. And the observation deck, located on the tower of the church of St. Berthold, offers breathtaking views of the sights and surroundings of the city of Sigulda - one of the main tourist cities in Latvia.
How to get to the church?
To get to the city of Sigulda, the most convenient way will be to take the train, which regularly goes from Riga . Once at the railway station, you need to follow the street Raina to the intersection with the street Cesu, from which goes down to the river. It serves as the main fork, turning to the right, you can walk directly to the church in Sigulda .