THE SOUL OF RIGA
Riga Old Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Gertrude (Old St. Gertrude’s Church)
History and Facts
Old St. Gertrude’s Church is a historic Evangelical Lutheran church in central Riga. The present brick church was built in 1866–1869 and consecrated in 1869, designed by architect Johann Daniel Felsko. It is an elegant example of Eclecticism/Neo-Gothic, with a strong vertical silhouette and a tower about 63 meters high. Historically it was closely linked to Riga’s German-speaking Lutheran community, and the church stands on a site where several earlier St. Gertrude churches had existed and been rebuilt over the centuries.

Interesting Fact
St. Gertrude’s is called “Old” because a New St. Gertrude’s Church was built nearby in 1903–1906, after the parish grew rapidly. The church has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times in Riga’s history, which is why it’s often seen as a symbol of endurance.

Author’s Note
I chose this place because Old St. Gertrude’s Church feels like a quiet witness of Riga’s changing eras. In this image, I wanted to highlight its slender Neo-Gothic verticality and the calm atmosphere of Ģertrūdes Street, where history and everyday life meet.

Jānis Kaugurs 2017. SIA CAPTURE DESIGN

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