Located in the shadows of the much larger St Peter’s Church, Riga is St John’s Church. Like St Peter’s, it dates back to the early 13th century.
On the original site of the palace of Bishop Albert of Riga (said to have founded the city in 1201), St John’s became the chapel of a Dominican Abbey once the good bishop moved out to more salubrious lodgings by the Cathedral (Dome).
During the building process, two monks were enclosed (with their consent!) within the southern wall of the church where they stayed for the remainder of their lives, being fed though a window grate. A cross-shaped hole in a wall remains to this day. With various extensions and upgrades, by around 1500 the church had acquired much, but not all, of its current appearance.
Both the abbey and the church were closed during the Reformation in 1523 and until 1582 the church served as the city’s armory. In 1582 the building resumed its role as a church, though Lutheran as opposed to Roman Catholic. The church suffered somewhat in the great fire of Riga in 1677 with further damage occurring through the 18th century when it was largely rebuilt and the current spire added.
On the exterior, I found the unusual looking crow-stepped gable wall particularly interesting as I did the presence of a rooster weather vane, given what I had learned about those earlier in the day when had I visited St Peter’s. See my separate review on Riga’s church-top roosters – Cock-a-doodle-do.
On the inside it would be impossible not to love the beautiful Gothic ceiling. Sadly my interior pictures (apart from the altar) are not of sufficiently high quality to publish so the fourth picture of the ceiling must be attributed to DAVID ILIFF. License: CC-BY-SA 3.0 and is sourced from Wikipedia.
During the summer months organ recitals and concerts are held on Saturday evenings. Alas, I didn’t get to attend one though I understand the church’s excellent acoustics make these a very worthwhile experience.
Do also pop into the small courtyard (formerly of the abbey) accessed via the entry on the west side of the church – picture 3 attached.
Opening hours
May – Mid October
Mon- Sat: 10:00 to 18:00.
Sun: 14:00 to 18:00
Out of season: ad hoc
Entrance Fee
I recall there being a small entrance fee (maybe Euro2) but I see no reference to a fee online so my recollection may be incorrect. Of course donations are welcomed.
This blog entry is one of a group (loop) of entries on the Old City area of Riga. I suggest you continue with my next entry – The Bremen Town Musicians – or to start the loop at the beginning go to my first entry – SamaraH Hotel Metropole – Riga.
The Rambling Wombat 