St. James's Cathedral, Catholic cathedral in Central District, Riga, Latvia
St. James's Cathedral is a brick cathedral in central Riga featuring a slender tower rising 86 meters and preserving its original medieval pyramidal spire. The building extends roughly 50 meters in length and 27 meters in width, positioned near the Latvian Parliament.
Construction of the cathedral began in the early 13th century, with documented records confirming its existence from 1225 onward. The building underwent several transformations and survived various political shifts throughout Riga's history.
The cathedral has housed different religious communities across centuries, alternating between Catholic and Lutheran worship depending on who controlled the city. These shifts shaped how the building is used and understood by visitors today.
The cathedral is located at Jekaba iela 9 in the central district and is easy to reach on foot. Guided tours can be arranged by contacting the administration through telephone or email.
The cathedral's tower bell once functioned as a town alarm, summoning citizens to witness public executions in Town Hall Square. This grim purpose is now only a historical reminder of Riga's past.
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