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ST. GERTRUDE OLD CHURCH IN RIGA

ST. GERTRUDE OLD CHURCH IN RIGA

ST. GERTRUDE OLD CHURCH IN RIGA

St. Gertrude old church – is a Lutheran church in Riga situated in the central part of the city at the crossing of two roads – Gertudes (Gertrude’s street) and Baznicas (Church street). It is built in eclectic forms and it is one of the first churches, for which a special construction site was allocated (an octagonal square, in this particular case).

The first mention of the church dates back to 1413. The church received its name in honor of St. Gertrude, European patroness of travelers, and it was built on a site outside the city wall.

As another version has it, the church was first mentioned in 1418. The church was located in the area of Riga suburbs near the Big Sand Road. The church building existed on this spot for more than a century, but in 1559 it burned down. After that a new church was built, most likely, of wood also. The newly built church perished during military collisions in the period of Swedish-Polish war campaign of 1600-1629. It is not known for sure how many church buildings replaced one another on this spot before the one that successfully preserved to this day was constructed.

So, in 1864, famous Riga architect, a graduate of Saint Petersburg Academy of Arts, Johann Daniel Felsko, who authored many remarkable architectural projects that still delight the eye to this day, set to oversee the construction according to his project. The church of St. Gertrude – the patroness of travelers – was built on the same spot, where a number of previous buildings stood, of which no trace was left by the history. The construction of the church was finished by 1866, and in 1869 the church was sanctified. The church that preserved to our days rises up on an octagonal square, which was laid out in 1813 in the framework of a project to recover burned down Riga’s suburbs. For a long time due to its fortunate urban position the church played a role of the city-planning centerpiece (in fact, it still fulfills that function up to this day).

This church is an exemplary pattern of eclectic trend in architecture. Master Felsko executed all his architectural projects in this universal style. The church has rich Neo-Gothic forms. According to its structural characteristic, the church is a three-nave pseudo-basilica with an additional little transverse nave decorated with original cross-shaped vaults. In the outer finishing it was decided to use red brick. Other architectural details were cast in concrete: decorative eaves, portals and also a neat creative cascade of finials, which gives this church its individuality in exterior design. Numerous decorative elements of the tower, as well as window ornaments are also done in concrete. The spire is 63 meters high and it is covered with copper sheets. The organ was constructed and delivered here in 1906 and it is considered to be one of the best ones in Riga (concerts of organ music in St. Gertrude old church take place with approximately the same frequency as concerts in the Dome Cathedral on Walcker’s organ). Under the main church hall there is a semi-basement, which is used for auxiliary facilities.

There are two Gertrude’s churches in Riga. One is referred to as “Gertrude old church” – it is, actually, the church this article is narrating about. The other church is called “Gertrude new church;” it is called “new” because it was built later than her sister – in the very beginning of XX century.

Один комментарий

  1. Игорь, да Вы в кругосветку подались, поэтому телефон не отвечает!

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