The Nativity of Christ Cathedral

This beautiful Cathedral was discovered while we’re enjoying the snow along the roadside in Riga, Latvia. I have been searching for the name of this cathedral and found out that the name’s ‘The Nativity of Christ Cathedral’ (Kristus Piedzimšanas pareizticīgo katedrāle), It was designed Nikolai Chagin in a Neo-Byzantine style between 1876 and 1883. Therefore it resembles the Soviet Union era architecture 

Being the largest Orthodox cathedral in the Baltic provinces, it was built during the era of Russian Tsar Alexander II. The Nativity of Christ Cathedral is renowned for its icons, some of which were painted by Vasili Vereshchagin. 

During World War I, it was turned in to a Lutheran church and back into Orthodox again in the year 1921 German troops occupied Riga and turned its largest Russian Orthodox cathedral into a Lutheran church. In independent Latvia the Nativity of Christ Cathedral once again became an Orthodox cathedral in 1921. In the early 1960s Soviet authorities converted its building into a planetarium. And once again it was restored in the year 1991 after gaining independence from the Soviet Union in the year 1991. 

Source: Wikipedia 2013

It has been snowing heavily in the Feb 2012 and the ground was covered with at least 20 cm thick snow. 

Since it was closed on that day, I was only able to capture the stunning external architecture of the Nativity of Christ Cathedral

Footprint of hcvvorld @ Riga, Latvia

Read More

The Freedom Monument of Latvia

It’s been nearly a year since my very first trip to Europe. Latvia (Latvija) has become one of my favourite Eastern European country with it’s beautiful and historical structures and buildings. One of the important structures built is the Freedom Monument of Riga, Latvia.

Considered an important symbol of freedom, independence and sovereignty of Latvia, the Freedom Monument of Riga, Latvia is a monument honouring the soldiers killed during the Latvian Independence War (1918-1920).

Located at the center of old town of Riga on Brīvības bulvāris (Freedom Boulevard), the 42 meters high monument was arranged in thirteen (plus one) groups depicting Latvian culture and history.

Source: Wikipedia, 2013

Tēvzemei un Brīvībai means for 'Fatherland and Freedom'

it was during sub zero temperature at that time and the monument was covered with snow all over..what a sight :D

A closeup view of the Liberty lifting three gilded stars

At the bottom red granite sculpture means "Work" depicting a fisherman, a craftsman and a farmer, who stands in the middle holding a scythe decorated with oak leaves and acorns to symbolize strength and manhood); at the top left sculpture means  Lāčplēsis" the name of the Bear-Slayer, an epic Latvian folk hero

On the right in the middle, means 'Latvia'

the red granite sculpture means Guards of the Fatherland depicting an ancient Latvian warrior standing between two kneeling modern soldiers while the sculpture just on top means "Vaidelotis" a Baltic pagan priest.

Read More