St. Jacob's Cathedral is the main Catholic church in Latvia. It appeared in Riga in the 13th century, at the same time as the Dome Cathedral and St. Peter's Church. However, its architecture is noticeably simpler than its peers, since it was not intended for the city, but for a rural parish. Nevertheless, the Gothic pyramidal spire of this temple has been preserved better than others.
The construction of St. Jacob's Cathedral was mainly completed at the beginning of the 14th century. Initially, it was given the early Gothic style. Later, the temple was rebuilt several times, which is not surprising - it is already more than seven centuries old. He survived wars, changes of governments, and conflicts between religions. In the 16th century, the cathedral became the first Latvian Lutheran church, but for a short time: in 1582, it again passed to the Catholics, even later - to the Jesuits, and during the Swedish rule in the 17th century - again to the Lutherans. During the Napoleonic Wars, there was even a food warehouse here.
The cathedral was finally handed over to the Catholics in 1923.
The interior of the temple is eclectic. Elements characteristic of different eras were constantly added here. The chair, created from a rare species of mahogany, was installed in 1810. A new organ appeared in 1913. Stained glass windows made in the Art Nouveau style and dated 1902 look very interesting. The 80-meter tower of St. Jacob's Cathedral is decorated with a golden cockerel, traditional for Riga churches.
The inscription in Latin above the door to the temple says: "I sing to the glory of the eternal and merciful Lord. "
The construction of St. Jacob's Cathedral was mainly completed at the beginning of the 14th century. Initially, it was given the early Gothic style. Later, the temple was rebuilt several times, which is not surprising - it is already more than seven centuries old. He survived wars, changes of governments, and conflicts between religions. In the 16th century, the cathedral became the first Latvian Lutheran church, but for a short time: in 1582, it again passed to the Catholics, even later - to the Jesuits, and during the Swedish rule in the 17th century - again to the Lutherans. During the Napoleonic Wars, there was even a food warehouse here.
The cathedral was finally handed over to the Catholics in 1923.
The interior of the temple is eclectic. Elements characteristic of different eras were constantly added here. The chair, created from a rare species of mahogany, was installed in 1810. A new organ appeared in 1913. Stained glass windows made in the Art Nouveau style and dated 1902 look very interesting. The 80-meter tower of St. Jacob's Cathedral is decorated with a golden cockerel, traditional for Riga churches.
The inscription in Latin above the door to the temple says: "I sing to the glory of the eternal and merciful Lord. "
Translated automatically from Ukrainian. View original
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