Nativity of Christ Cathedral
Nativity of Christ Cathedral features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Riga. Give it roughly ~60 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type religious
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Riga Riga guide
About Nativity of Christ Cathedral
Riga's main Orthodox cathedral, Neo-Byzantine and gold-domed, built 1876-1883; the Soviets stripped it into a planetarium, and it was restored as a working church after 1991.
The Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ (Kristus Piedzimšanas pareizticīgo katedrāle) is the main Orthodox cathedral of Riga. Built between 1876 and 1883 in a Neo-Byzantine style, it was designed by Nikolai Chagin with Robert Pflug. It was raised during Russian Empire rule, with the blessing of Tsar Alexander II and on the initiative of governor-general Pyotr Bagration and bishop Veniamin (Karelin). The Tsar's gift of twelve bells prompted an extra dome to be added as a belfry, and some icons were painted by Vasili Vereshchagin. It stands beside the Esplanade park, just outside the Old Town, and is widely described as the largest Orthodox cathedral in the Baltics.
In the early 1960s Soviet authorities closed the cathedral, removed its crosses, melted down its bells and converted it into a planetarium known as the 'Republic House of Knowledge.' After Latvia regained independence in 1991 it was restored as a working cathedral, and its iconostasis was consecrated on 6 May 2000. New bells were cast at the Russian ZIL factory in 2002, and the domes were re-gilded in 2010 at a cost of about 550,000 euros.
Did you know? Tsar Alexander II gave the cathedral twelve bells, and an extra dome had to be added to house them as a belfry. Some of its icons were painted by Vasili Vereshchagin.
How long is a visit to Nativity of Christ Cathedral?
Set aside roughly ~60 min for Nativity of Christ Cathedral. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Nativity of Christ Cathedral worth your time?
Nativity of Christ Cathedral is among the 21 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Riga, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Riga
Day 1 of the Riga in 2 days itinerary →
Updated:
Hear the story of Nativity of Christ Cathedral
Preview the Riga tour free in the Gingerguide app.