A Tower with a View: St Peter’s Church
Right in the middle of Riga’s old town stands St Peter’s Church. It is impossible to miss, the church dominates the skyline with its huge tower and looms over those walking around the streets below. This church and its tower have long been considered a key sight to visit in Riga, and they appear on most lists about the best activities to do in Riga. I scaled the tower to experience it for myself, and its safe to say that the lists are correct. In this article, we will delve into the history of the church and the popularity of its key feature.
The Beginnings
The church itself has a long history in the city, beginning in the early 13th century. At that time, a small church was built in the place where today’s church now stands. Very little of the original construction remains, only a few pillars and some walls. Its hard to imagine that the grand building we can see today had such humble origins. In the 15th century, the church began to grow. Johannes Rumeschottel supervised the development of the church, which he based on St Mary’s Church in Rostock. A plaque dedicated to his work can still be seen in the church today.
An Eternal Survivor
The church has been through a lot of misfortunes in the time since its construction. The tower built in the 15th century by Johannes Rumeschottel collapsed in 1666. Although it was rebuilt, it was struck by lightning in 1721 and burnt down. The Russian Tsar decreed its renovation after the event. During World War II, both the church and its tower were burnt down yet again. The weathervane is considered a symbol the the trials and tribulations that the church has experienced. There have been a total of six weathervanes (all roosters) since the original construction of the church. The first was broken by a storm, the second was blown off, the third and fourth were more storm victims, the fifth collapsed, and the sixth came down when the tower collapsed. In 1970, the church gained a new weathervane.
The Tower
The most striking feature of the church, and the key attractor of tourists, is the tower. It is 123.25 meters tall and certainly feels that tall when you are up there. Once it was even held the title of the tallest wooden structure in the world. Of course, with all the destruction it has been through, the tower and spire have been replaced many times, however, it remains imposing. Walking up three flights of stairs, visitors then get in a lift operated by staff and travel up to the viewing deck. Once on the deck, you can walk all the way around, gaining panoramic views of the city. You can look over the cobbled streets of the old town, or at the the glistening Russian Orthodox Church, or at the modern National Library. Going up on a clear day will give you an amazing view of all parts of the city. The church only closes at 10pm, so you could also head up in the evening and watch the sun set over the city.
So, if you find yourself in Riga old town with an extra 30 minutes or so, scaling the tower is an excellent way to pass the time. Viewing Riga from above will give you a completely fresh perspective and new appreciation of the city. Overall, St Peter’s Church and its tower are definitely worth a visit!
