University of Latvia

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The Latvian University ( lett: Latvijas Universitāte ) in the Latvian capital Riga is the oldest and largest with around 28,000 students University of the State.

History

The Latvian University goes back to the founded in 1862 Rigaische Polytechnic. It complemented the academic University of Dorpat. In 1869, the Faculty of Architecture. This became an outstanding importance the Riga Polytechnic for the development of the Latvian Art Nouveau. Today, about 40 percent of the Riga city center attributable to that style. In 1896 the name of the Polytechnic was Russified.

Since no access restrictions were considered, the College of Latvians, Russians, Estonians, Poles, Germans and Jews was visited. The German students organized themselves into three compounds:

By 1915, completed about 11,000 representatives of all ethnic groups of the Russian Empire, the Polytechnic. First, was German, and later Russian, the language of instruction. With Latvia's independence in 1919, the Institute for the University of Latvia and Latvian became the language of instruction. The Latvian parliament decided in 1923 a college 's name and constitution Latvijas Universitāte.

With the occupation of Latvia by the Soviet Union in June 1940, the University was stripped of his autonomy and the Constitution. It was called Latvian State University. In 1958 she received the name Peter plasterers University. Peteris plasterers was Lenin's first People's Commissar for Justice.

After Latvia had regained its national independence in 1990, the university was changed back in Latvijas Universitāte. The university announced on May 15 in 1991, a constitution, which was approved by the Saeima on 18 September 1991. In August 2005, it had around 28,000 students.

Since November 2005, the University of Latvia is majority owner of the independent Riga Graduate School of Law ( RGSL ).

Architecture

The main building of the University of Latvia was built between 1866-1869 by the architect Gustav Ferdinand Alexander Hilbig. The building is designed in eclectic style and contains Romanesque elements. The main entrance is decorated with Zinngussreliefs with the coat of arms of the three former Baltic provinces of Courland, Livonia and Estonia and nine allegorical symbols of the subjects.

Faculties

The University has 13 faculties:

Curiosities

The main portal of the university building has a three-winged staircase. While the two outer wings are available for everyone, a central staircase may only be used by faculty and alumni.

Personalities

At the Polytechnic taught, among other things:

• Gustav Kieseritzky, rector and professor at the Polytechnic
• Wilhelm Ostwald (1853-1932), from 1882 to 1887 as Professor of Chemistry,
• Alexander Beck, 1873-1896 Professor at the Polytechnic

The Polytechnic completed include:

• The architect Eižens Laube (1880-1967), in 1919 actively participated in the founding of the University of Latvia
• The architect Johannes Martens (1875-1936)
• The bank manager and a member of the City Council of Riga Carl Eduard Heinrich Frobeen (1823-1890)
• Brothers Eugene and Alfred Rosenberg (1893-1946), the latter was to later chief ideologist of Nazism.