St. Jacob's Cathedral

St. James' Cathedral in Riga, also known as St. James' Church, is one of the city's most important places of worship. It was built in the 13th century and is one of the few medieval buildings in Riga that has been preserved in a largely original condition to this day. The cathedral features elements of late Romanesque and Gothic architecture and impresses with its simple but powerful brick structure. Particularly striking is the 80-meter-high tower with its baroque copper dome that towers over the old town.Originally a Protestant church, St. James' Cathedral passed into the possession of the Catholic Church by vote in 1923 and has been the metropolitan cathedral of the Archdiocese of Riga ever since. Historically, the building has gone through many changes, including being badly damaged during the Reformation and the wars in the region and subsequently restored.

St. James' Church was built in the late Romanesque style from brick; later it was partially Gothicised. It is a three-aisled basilica with a recessed rectangular choir. In the middle above the west portal stands the massive square tower, 80 metres high, with a baroque copper dome. Despite the devastation of 1584, the cathedral is once again rich in valuable furnishings from various eras. (Wikipedia)

One of the few Catholic churches in Riga. Located near the “Three Brothers” row of houses.