Legend of Big Kristaps
In ancient times, when Riga had still not been built, a very large man named Big Kristaps carried people across the Daugava River on his back, letting them off at the spot where Riga now stands. Kristaps had built himself a hut nearby on the right bank of the river.One night he awoke to the sound of a child crying on the left bank of the river. He waded over, picked up the mournful babe and began carrying him back across to his huy. The child suddenly became very heavy mid-stream, and it was only with the greatest of efforts that Kristaps made it to shore.With his las ounce of strength, Kristaps laid the child in his hut and dropped off into an exhausted slumber. In the morning he awoke to discover that the child had transformed into a coffer filled with gold. Kristaps was a humble man and did not spend a penny of this treasure until his dying day. After his death the money was spent to...
