Riga dome Cathedral

This Cathedral is the largest medieval temple of the Baltic States. The name of the Cathedral comes from the Latin expression "Domus Dei" ("House of God") and "D. O. M." (abbreviation of Deo Optimo Maximo, "the Greatest all-good God").


The Cathedral was founded on July 25, 1211, on the Day of St. Jacob, the Bishop of Riga Albrecht von Buxhoevden. For its construction the Bishop watched with the closest interest, investing in the construction of huge amounts of money. Numerous restructuring has resulted in the amazing architecture of the Cathedral is intertwined with various architectural styles. From the Gothic period of construction are preserved, the Northern portal of the Church is the former main entrance. In addition to Gothic and Baroque in the architectural decoration of the Cathedral there are fragments in stiliness and Romanesque style.


The main attraction of the Duomo is its organ, installed in the years 1883-1884. The body was made by "E. F. Walcker & Co" from the city of Ludwigsburg. He replaced the old tool, working from the end of XVI century (about 280 years). Works for the organ dome of the Cathedral wrote, among others, such famous composers as Franz Liszt and Max Reger.


In the ensemble of Riga dome Cathedral is the oldest Museum of Latvia Museum of the history of Riga and navigation. It was founded in 1773 on the basis of the private collection of doctor Nikolaus von Himsel. The Museum's collection consists of about 500 000 exhibits relating to the history, culture and lifestyle of Riga, and a valuable collection on the history of Latvian navigation.

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