- Address: Herdera laukums 6, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia;
- Discovery: 1211;
- Website: doms.lv;
- Sightseeing: Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation;
- Phone: +371 67 227 573.
In the heart of the capital of Latvia stands a majestic building that captures the views of tourists and visitors of the city - Riga Dome Cathedral. It is the main temple of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and the concentration of Latvia's culture and spirituality. Majesty adds and the scale of the temple. Its height, together with the dome and the gilded cock-weathercock on the spire is 96 m, which makes it visible from anywhere in the city of Riga . Dome Cathedral, photo of which can be seen before the trip - this is the visiting card of the main city of Latvia.
Dome Cathedral, Latvia - history
The interesting name of the cathedral came from two expressions of the Latin language. The first is an abbreviation for Deo Optimo Maximo (DOM). In translation, it sounds like "All the Best Great God." Second - Domus Dei - the House of God.
The unique history of the Dome Cathedral is interesting. It was built in the beginning of the XIII century and for its long history was repeatedly repaired, restored and even rebuilt. Therefore, its architecture contains elements of Gothic, Baroque and late Romanesque styles.
In the Reformation XVI-XVII centuries, which lasted almost 130 years, many churches were prone to ruin and looting, including the Dome Cathedral. Riga was very damaged in this era, because in its territory there are a large number of temples, which already at that time were outstanding architectural monuments. The interior decoration of the church was subjected to acts of vandalism, many of the destruction could be eliminated only after several centuries.
During the Second World War, the fascist organization "Anenerbe" spent considerable efforts to find treasures of Knights Templars. According to legend, in gratitude to the citizens who sheltered the knights, gave them shelter and bread, the Templars gave part of their untold treasures to the construction of temples and castles of Riga. Some considerable part was hidden in the cellars of the Dome Cathedral. But after surviving several large-scale floods in the Daugava in the XVIII century, the ancient cellars of the temple are still flooded. In general, because of this legend, not only the Dome Cathedral suffered. Latvia experienced in those days a real boom of finding treasures along the coast.
Dome Cathedral, Riga - description
The Dome Cathedral within its walls preserves the history of the development of Riga as the center of Latvian Christianity, trade and culture. Here everywhere there are elements of decor in the Baroque style, the arms of the celebrated Riga families, small statues of Saint Maurice - the patron of the merchants of Riga. The church has an original wooden altar of the XIX century, incredible beauty window stained glass windows, a unique organ that still gives concerts, historical and artistic values, as well as a massive wooden chair of the XVII century.
The patio of the cathedral contains a covered gallery, which is an exhibition of historical exhibits in the open air. It contains elements of the old city gate, a collection of medieval bells, ancient cannons and cores, ancient tombstones, stone idols and much more. Here you can find the first original cockerel that decorated the Dome Cathedral until 1985.
On the central square of Riga , where the Dome Cathedral is located, is the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation, which makes up the architectural ensemble of the temple. To the right of the central entrance is a monument to Johann Gottfried. This philosopher and historian of the 18th century taught mathematics, science, French, history and stylistics at the school. You can see these unique architectural objects if you study the photo gallery: Riga, Dome Cathedral, photo.
How to get to the Dome Cathedral?
The Domsky Cathedral is located on Dome Square, which is located in the center of the Old Town . Its location is the intersection of several streets: Zirgu, Jekaba, Pils and Shkunyu. To get here, you should keep the path from the railway station, walking tour takes about 15 minutes.