Kristus Piedzimšanas pareizticīgo katedrāle
The Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ rises in Riga’s historic centre as the Baltic region’s largest Orthodox cathedral. Built between 1876 and 1883, it presents Neo-Byzantine architecture through five domes, ornate exterior decoration, and a prominent bell tower. Nikolai Chagin and Robert Pflug designed the building, while the firm of August Volz carried out its decorative work.
Inside, painted icons, including works by Vasili Vereshchagin, stand among gold-plated details and traditional Orthodox imagery. German forces converted the cathedral into a Lutheran church during the First World War, while Soviet authorities later divided its interior into two levels for a planetarium, conference hall, and café. After Latvia regained independence in 1991, extensive restoration returned the building to Orthodox use and its 1883 appearance, followed by new bells in 2002 and gilding on the dome and bell tower in 2010.
Five domes crown the skyline, while restored iconography and gleaming surfaces reveal the building’s changing history.
- City
- Riga
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