Latgale District, formerly known as Maskavas forštate, is a historic neighborhood in Riga, Latvia. Situated on the right bank of the Daugava River, it lies to the south of Riga Old Town. The district was renamed in 2024 as part of Latvia’s efforts to remove Soviet-era names.
Historical Significance
The history of Latgale District dates back to at least the 14th century. It has preserved parts of its medieval street network and is known for its architectural diversity, including wooden homes and various religious buildings. During World War II, the area was turned into a Jewish ghetto by the Nazis, and today, memorials mark significant sites such as the Great Choral Synagogue.
Cultural and Architectural Highlights
Latgale District is a vibrant area with a mix of old and new. It features the Central Market, one of the largest and oldest marketplaces in Europe, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The district is also home to several notable religious buildings, including the Lutheran Jesus Church, one of the largest wooden churches in Europe.
Modern Developments
In recent years, Latgale District has undergone significant changes. New buildings, offices, and shops have transformed its economic profile. The area now boasts a variety of cultural spaces, cafes, and markets, making it a lively and diverse part of Riga.
The Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum is a poignant reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II. This museum serves as a memorial to the Jewish community that suffered and perished during the Holocaust. It also aims to educate visitors about the history of the Riga Ghetto and the broader context of the Holocaust in Latvia.
Historical Context
The Riga Ghetto was established in 1941 by Nazi Germany as part of their plan to exterminate the Jewish population. Jews from Riga and other parts of Latvia were forcibly relocated to this confined area. The conditions were harsh, and many perished due to starvation, disease, and mass executions. The museum is situated near the original site of the ghetto, providing a direct connection to this dark chapter in history.
Museum Exhibits
The museum features several permanent exhibitions that provide a comprehensive view of Jewish life in Latvia before, during, and after the Holocaust. One of the most striking exhibits is the memorial wall, which lists the names of over 70,000 Latvian Jews who were victims of the Holocaust, as well as approximately 25,000 Jews from other European countries who were brought to Riga to be murdered.
The Restored House
A significant part of the museum is a restored house that once stood within the Riga Ghetto. This house has been reconstructed to resemble its appearance during the war, complete with personal belongings and artifacts from that era. This exhibit offers a tangible connection to the lives of those who lived in the ghetto, making their stories more relatable and impactful.
Address: Lastādijas iela 14A, Riga
Located in the former Moscow Suburb (now Latgale district) is the Church of the Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady. It’s often called the Church of St Nicolas the Miracle Worker.
In the early 18th century there were already 2 Russian wooden churches in existence by the Charles Gate, but these disappeared in 1773, due to the extension of Riga’s fortifications. The church, which dates from 1774-1778, stands on a plot by the so-called “Guest Yard”.
A Fire and a New church
During the war between Russia and France in 1812, all of Riga’s suburbs burned down, as well as this church. A design for a new church, in Classical style, appeared in 1813. The new church was built between 1814 and 1818. In 1827 the church received a donation in the form of a 6,150 kilogram bell cast. Extensive repairs occurred in the 19th century, adding a glass porch.
Address: Gogola iela 9, Riga
Old Believers started migrating into the area of present-day Latvia in the 2nd half of the 17th century, when a schism occurred in the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Old Believers brought with them many 15th – 17th century item connected with ancient Russian religious culture. By the 19th century, their main church was the Grebenstchikov Church. The building dedicated to the Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady is from 1814.
In 1823, the congregation renamed itself in honor of its benefactor, the Jelgava trader Aleksey Grebenstchikov. Restoration of the tower finished in 1999. This included gilding of the dome and restoration of the elaborated frieze.
In 2006, renovation of the porch and main staircase leading to the prayer hall took place. Nowadays, the complex also houses an icon restoration workshop and the Old Believers Museum, named after Ivan Zavoloko, a priest, archive researcher and collector of ethnographic works.
Address: Krasta iela 73, Riga
The Church of Jesus, in the former Moscow suburb of Riga, is one of Latvia’s most outstanding examples of Classical architecture in wood. The Congregation of Jesus existed already in 1638, when the first church came to completion.
In 1733 the carpenter Tom Bohum designed the first church. It burned down in 1812, along with the other buildings in the Riga suburbs.
The present day church, built between 1818 and 1822, is by a design by Christian Friedrich Breitkreuz, an architect of the Livonian Province. Preserved in the church is a bronze bell from 1708, cast by Jacob Rohde, a master who came from Danzig (Gdansk).
Since 1994, the Congregation of Jesus has gradually restored its church. This included renovation of the tower and its dome.
| Address | Elijas iela 18, Riga |
| Telephone | +371 67 224 123 |