Lielais Kristaps, Wooden sculpture on Daugava riverbank in Riga, Latvia
The wooden statue shows a tall man carrying a child on his shoulder while holding a paddle and a lantern to guide river crossings.
Created around 1510 by unknown craftsmen, the statue served as a guardian figure for pilots and transporters at the main Karlov gates of medieval Riga.
The sculpture represents Saint Christopher, a figure from Christian tradition who carried people across rivers and became a symbol of protection for travelers.
The original statue resides in the Museum of History and Navigation, while a 2001 replica stands in a bulletproof glass case near Riga Castle.
Sailors' wives traditionally left jewelry and beads at the statue as offerings for their husbands' safety during river navigation.
Location: Riga
GPS coordinates: 56.94969,24.10011
Latest update: June 15, 2025 07:29
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