Dome Cathedral, Riga

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Entering Dome Square we can see big, gothic, old Riga Cathedral. It was built in 1211, mostly in the first years of Riga existence. It is the largest Cathedral in the Baltic States and was founded by Latvia's Teutonic conquerors.

The Cathedral was reconstructed few times; the tower became bigger after reconstruction in 1776. The very famous object inside Cathedral is organs; it was the biggest organs in the World once. For the entrance you need to pay 1 Lats (1,45 euros).

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Just by mere fact of its central location, presiding over the wide Dome square, the Dome Cathedral (aka St. Mary's) feels like Riga's main church. Like St. John's, the Dome was originally a home for an order of monks. The monastary and courtyard that was once attached have long gone, and since been replaced by the Museum of History and Navigation of Riga.

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The first church at this site was founded in 1211 by Bishop Albert. It has since then been rebuilt many times and today you can see many different styles in the architecture. The Dome Cathedral is famous for its organ, which is the forth largest organ in the world. When it was built, in 1880, it was the largest one in the world. When I visited the part where the organ is was badly lit and it was difficult to see it in the dark. Sometimes there are concerts in the church. The Dome Cathedral is the biggest church in the Baltics.
Admission was 2.00 Ls (December2008).
The church is open for visitors between 10 - 18 on Saturdays - Thursdays. On Fridays it is open between 10 - 17. There is a mass every day at 8.00, except Sundays when the mass is at 12.00.

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When you are in Dome Cathedral you can also visit the cathedral cloister and courtyard. In the gallery are a lot of different items on display. Among other things you can see the original weathercock from 1595. In 1985 a replica was put on top of the tower. There are also statues, cannons, cannonballs and more.
The Cross-Vaulted Gallery is open between 10 - 17 every day. The admission is the same as for the cathedral.

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The Russian Orthodox Cathedral was constructed between 1876 - 1884. It is a light yellow church with several domes, with orthodox crosses on top. When the Germans occupied Riga they turned it into a Lutheran church and during Soviet occupation it was used as a planetarium and for scientific lectures. It has since then been restored and is now open for religious service again. The church is the largest Orthodox cathedral in the Baltic countries.

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Riga Cathedral is the oldest building in Riga.
Since it's foundations were put in place in 1211, Riga Cathedral has been rebuilt several times.
In the 1930s houses around the Cathedral were demolished, there is now a square and a cafe/bar, a popular tourist area.

This cathedral was founded by Latvia's Teutonic conquerors in the beginning of the 13th century under the bishop Albert.

Thi church has become an icon of the Old Town of Riga and in the past centuries it has been destroyed and rebuilt several times, so presently it is a composite of different architectual styles.

The last reconstruction took place in 1776 the tower was raised to the height of 90mt, the organ was made in 1884, it was the biggest organ in the world comprised of 6'718 pipes!

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The largest church in the Baltic countries stays a little in the shadow of St. Peter’s. Maybe, it is because it has not an elevator bringing you to the spire. However, it is not only the largest but surely one of the oldest churches in the Baltics. It was first built in the 13th century, but reconstrcuted duiring the following centuries. Today’s shape dates from the 18th century. The church is well known for its organ, which is said to be the fourth largest in the world. At least, it was the largest in the world at the time is was built with no less than 6718 pipes. A small entry fee (as of May 2007 something around 0,50 Lats) is required. At least, that’s cheaper than in St. Peter’s – and it isn’t that crowded.