Nativity Cathedral, Riga, Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Central District, Riga, Latvia
The Nativity Cathedral is an Orthodox place of worship built in Neo-Byzantine style with five golden domes and bright red brick walls. The structure stands about 44 meters (144 feet) wide and 66 meters (216 feet) long, displaying intricate brickwork throughout.
Construction took place from 1876 to 1883 under Russian imperial patronage. After Soviet rule, it served as a planetarium before returning to its original religious function.
The name refers to the Nativity of Christ, a central moment in Orthodox tradition. Inside, visitors encounter three iconostases and religious artwork that reflect Russian Orthodox practices from the 19th century.
The cathedral is centrally located and welcoming to visitors outside of worship times. The interior layout is straightforward, making it easy to explore the space and see the artistic details.
Tsar Alexander II gifted the cathedral with twelve large bells, a present that forced architects to redesign parts of the original plan. This unforeseen donation shaped the building as it stands today.
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