St. Peter's Church

In Riga’s Old Town, St. Peter’s Church is a Lutheran landmark with a Gothic exterior and architectural details shaped by centuries of rebuilding. Its tower is the main draw: an elevator carries you to a viewing platform 72 metres above the ground, with wide views across the Old Town’s red roofs, the Daugava River and the modern city. Inside, look for historical panels, coats of arms and restored church furnishings. Exhibitions and concerts also take place here, adding another reason to step inside before heading up.

A church rebuilt across the centuries

St. Peter’s Church is among Riga’s oldest buildings. The church was first documented in 1209, when it was a modest, three-aisled hall. Little from that early structure remains. The building changed over time, with Gothic, Romanesque and Baroque elements reflecting different periods of construction and repair.

Its tower has also been rebuilt more than once. It collapsed in 1666, and a later wooden tower was destroyed by fire after a lightning strike in 1721. The church suffered severe damage during the Second World War. Reconstruction followed, and the tower was rebuilt with a metal structure in 1967. The long sequence of damage and repair is part of the building’s story, visible in a church that has taken several forms over its history.

Inside the church

The interior gives you a quieter way to explore the site before visiting the tower. Look for historical panels, coats of arms, restored stone and wooden epitaphs, and church furnishings. The church also holds art exhibitions, with displays changing over time, so the interior can include more than its architectural details.

St. Peter’s remains a place of worship as well as a cultural venue. Services and concerts take place here, and free concerts are held before Christmas. If a service or prayer is underway during your visit, observe quietly and give worshippers space. Removing your hat on entry is a simple courtesy.