Nativity Cathedral, Riga

The Nativity cathedral in the Latvian capital Riga ( Rīga Kristus Piedzimšanas pareizticīgo Cathedral ) is a cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church. It is the largest Orthodox church in the Baltic states.

For the design of Nikolai Chagin responsible. The church was built in the Neo-Byzantine style from 1876 to 1883 under Robert plow. Riga belonged at that time as the capital of the province Livonia to Russia. The construction was confirmed by Tsar Alexander II in person. However, the idea for the construction of a Russian Orthodox church in Riga comes from Lieutenant General Pyotr Romanovich Bagration and bishop Veniamin Karelin.

During the occupation during the First World War, the church was converted into a Protestant church, but after Latvian independence in 1921 it was again orthodox. In 1963, the birth cathedral was converted by the Soviet authorities in a planetarium and renamed " House of Knowledge ". Soon after regaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the church was thoroughly renovated (until 2006). Early as 1992 it was re- consecrated as a cathedral.

The church is a central building with five partially gilded domes. Both the church and the 43 meter high bell tower, in which there are 12 bells. are covered with yellow tiles. The famous icon painting comes mainly from Vasily Vasilyevich Vereshchagin.