DOME CATHEDRAL OF RIGA

THE DOME CATHEDRAL OF RIGA

The Dome Cathedral is the only church of cathedra type with a monastery in Baltic republics. The first stone into the foundation of the cathedral was laid in 1211, and active construction was started in 1215. Around 1300, the construction was finished. In the course of construction plans and designs for the cathedral’s appearance changed, as well as building materials and styles. Due to financial problems, instead of planned two towers only one was constructed. In 1595, the constructed cathedral’s 140-meter-high building was the highest one in Riga. During the siege of the city in 1710, the cathedral’s roof was greatly damaged. During reconstruction of the damaged parts, side roofs were rebuilt and their tilt was changed. In 1772, after the Empress Catherine the Great prohibited any burials in the churchyards, all tombs were removed form the Dome Cathedral, which led to the rising of the floor level of the cathedral. In 1775, the cathedral’s tower was rebuilt; it is preserved until our days with spires in Baroque style. From 1888 until 1914, massive remodeling and reconstruction works were carried out in the cathedral.

In Soviet times, in 1959—1962, the Dome Cathedral was rebuilt and refashioned to be a concert hall. The altar was demolished and aisles of chairs were installed facing the organ; along with these works, remodeling of the cathedral’s interior and reconstruction of all engineering communications were carried out. Spires of the towers were restored as well as rails of both galleries; a new rooster was made; automatic fire alarm system was installed as well as air conditioning system for the tower and the main hall. Today in the Dome Cathedral there is the Dome parish of Riga, Museum of Riga’s History and Navigation and a concert hall.