Churches, apartment and public buildings in Riga are adorned with quite a few pieces of stained glass.
Stained glass for adornment of windows in churches have been used in Riga at least since the beginning of 15th century. In 17th - 18th centuries in the area of present day Latvia there was produced stained glass of exceptionally high quality. Our history has not been favourable for these fragile artworks - as a result the beautiful stained glass seen in churches of Riga has been produced in late 19th - 20th century. In these times stained glass were widely used for adornment of the beautiful new apartment buildings and public buildings as well.
Good offices are not announced with resounding speaches in Latvia - thus most people here have not noticed that numerous artworks of stained glass have been renovated and produced in very high quality over the last decades. True, quite a lot are still waiting for skillful hand of craftsmen too...
This short picture essay shows just a few artworks of stained glass in few buildings of Riga. Stained glass of similar beauty can be found in numerous other buildings.
Dom Cathedral, windows facing Dom square.
St.John's Church in Old Riga, detail of stained glass.
Old St.Gertrude Church, ornate stained glass behind the altar.
Old St.Gertrude Church, detail of stained glass at the altar.
Old St.Gertrude Church, detail of stained glass at the altar.
Old St.Gertrude Church, detail of stained glass at the altar.
Old St.Gertrude Church, stained glass in northwestern part.
Stained glass above the gate in Elizabetes Street 75.
Baznicas Street 5, stained glass in stairway, second floor.
Baznicas Street 5, stained glass in stairway, third floor.
Baznicas Street 5, stained glass above the gate.
Baznicas Street 5, stained glass above the gate - waiting for renovation.
Dom Cathedral, detail of stained glass.
St.John's Church in Old Riga, part of stained glass.
St.John's Church in Old Riga, stained glass in southern corner.
Pictures taken in 2004 - 2009.