The history of Riga - from the German barons to the heyday of the city. Beautiful and unusual places on our planet! Main attractions of Riga
In the Middle Ages, rivers were the most convenient transport routes, which is why all ancient cities were built either near rivers or on the seashore. There were no roads in those days, and shipping was the only way to move large quantities of goods (and in case of war, troops) over long distances.
In this regard, Riga is no exception; the city was founded in a strategically favorable place - where the Daugava (which in Russia is called the Western Dvina) flows into the Gulf of Riga. Alas, such an important place determined the difficult history of the city over eight centuries - guests from all over the world sought to get the beautiful Riga into their possessions.
The earliest mention of a settlement in this place is found in the chronicles of 1198, which describe the battles between the Liv tribe living here and the first occupiers - the Crusaders. The Teutonic Order founded the settlement in order to bring Christianity to pagan tribes. In 1199, a canon from German Bremen, Albert von Buxhoeveden (1165 - 1229), was appointed to the post of Bishop of Livonia. It was he who began the construction of the Dome Cathedral, and also obtained from the Pope an indulgence for everyone who sought to move to Riga. Thus, the residents of Riga became sinless the moment they arrived in the city.
The official date of birth of the city is 1201 - it was in this year that the first mention of the city was found in the chronicles, and the construction of city fortifications made of stone began (and what to do with it, the time was, oh, turbulent). And since then he has been revered as the founder of the city.
In general, German archbishops ruled the city for a long time - until 1561. From 1581 to 1621, Riga was part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and after that uninvited guests from the north came here - the Swedes, under whom the city was under until 1711.
Finally, after the Northern War between Russia and Russia, Riga became part of the Russian Empire, which it was part of until 1918.
The second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries was the heyday of the city as an industrial center. In 1861, a railway was built that connected the city with Dinaburg (now Daugavpils), and then railway connections were established with Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Warsaw. By the end of the 19th century, the port of Riga was second in terms of cargo turnover after the port of the Northern capital of the Empire.
Textile enterprises appeared in the city; in 1919, the VEF electrical factory began operating - it was on the receivers of this brand that, half a century later, the intelligentsia would listen to the Voice of America.
The Russian-Baltic Wagon Plant opens - the first cars and airplanes in Russia were built there.
Rapid growth was accompanied by the heyday of the city - the center began to be built up with fantastic houses in the Art Nouveau style (also known as Art Nouveau and Art Nouveau). - the father of a famous film director.
Today Riga is considered the European capital - no other city in Europe has such a number of buildings!
In the 20s of the last century, Riga began to be called “little Paris”. At the same time, the merit is not in external similarity (which, in general, is not), but in the atmosphere that was in Riga in those years. The city was home to many creative intelligentsia, artists, and highly educated emigrants from Russia who did not accept the Bolsheviks coming to power. In addition, the difficult history of the city has left an imprint of cosmopolitanism - different cultures have always coexisted here - Latvian, Russian, Jewish, German. The city has absorbed the best from each of them, and this can be seen in modern Riga residents - despite the difficult events of the second half of the 20th century, the city has retained its unique appearance.
Under the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Latvia first gained independence in 1918, and Riga finally became the capital of the Republic of Latvia. However, the period of independence was not long, the clouds of the Second World War hung over Europe, and in 1940 the country became part of the USSR.
The modern history of the city begins in 1991, when the Republic of Latvia was proclaimed. And that's a completely different story...
At the beginning of the 13th century, the collapse of the clan system took place in the Baltic states, and tribal unions led by leaders began to emerge.
The lands from the lower reaches of the Vistula to the Neman were inhabited by Prussian tribes, and beyond the Neman the Yotvingians settled. On the territory of modern Lithuania lived large tribes Zhmudi (Zhemaite) and Aukstaite, and in Latvia - Semigallians, Livonians and Latgallians. Among the Estonians (Estonians) by the beginning of the 13th century. the unification of tribes took place.
The Eastern Slavs have long maintained close ties with the population of the Baltic states. Thus, the Ilmen Slavs and Krivichi, together with the Baltic tribes, repelled the attacks of the Varangians, and the Chud (Estonians) participated in the campaigns of Prince Oleg. At the beginning of the 13th century, the Livs were vassals of the Polotsk prince, and the principalities of Kukenos and Hertsike were founded on the banks of the Western Dvina. The Crusaders invaded the Baltic states at the end of the 12th - beginning of the 13th centuries.
Around 1158, a ship of merchants from the city of Bremen was carried by a storm to the mouth of the Dvina, where the Liv tribes lived. They exchanged goods very profitably. Subsequently, the Germans came repeatedly and agreed with the leaders on the founding of a trading settlement, which was called Ukskul. Soon another one arose - Dalen. Having learned about this, the Archbishop of Bremen, with the consent of the Pope, sent monk Maynard to the Livs to preach Christianity (the Livs were pagans). A Livonian bishopric was established, headed by Maynard. However, the sermons of the priests were not particularly successful, since the Livonian pagans stubbornly resisted the penetration of the new faith. Bishop Berthold, who arrived in Livria after Maynard's death, was expelled. Then the Pope declared a crusade against the Livs.
In 1198, an army of crusaders led by Berthold landed in Livonia (modern Latvia). They won a victory and forced the Livs to surrender, and also left their priests there. Bishop Berthold died in one of the battles. Believing that the Livonians had been conquered, the crusaders left the country. However, after their departure, the inhabitants rebelled, expelled the priests and rejected baptism.
In 1200, the new bishop Albert arrived at the mouth of the Western Dvina with an army of crusaders on 23 ships. This smart and far-sighted politician decided to seize and subjugate Livonia, creating a large church possession there. He suppressed the resistance of the Livs, destroyed the rebellious leaders, forced everyone to be baptized and began to control all maritime trade in these lands. In 1201, he founded the fortress of Riga, the main stronghold in Livonia, and in 1202 he created the Order of the Sword Bearers (the knights of this order wore a white cloak with a red sword and cross), which became the striking force of Bishop Albert.
In 1196, the Danes began to conquer the lands of the Estonians (Chudi). They captured the ancient fortification of Kolyvan and built a fortress in that place, and then the city of Revel (Tallinn) - the support of the Danish king in the lands of the Estonians.
The Teutonic Order (Teutonic House of the Virgin Mary of Jerusalem), approved in 1198 by Pope Innocent III, played a decisive role in the penetration of the crusaders into the Baltic and Slavic lands. The Order's charter was strict, but in countries where German was spoken there was no end to nobles who wanted to join its ranks. In the 13th century. Hermann von Salza (1210-1239) became the Grand Master of the Order. He was an intelligent and skillful politician and diplomat of his time. He realized that the positions of the Crusaders in Palestine were lost and began to look for a place where the Order could settle in Europe. The Hungarian king Andras II, who saw the Teutonic Order in battles in Palestine, offered to move to Hungary to defend its borders from the Polovtsians. Subsequently, the Order was expelled; apparently, von Salza decided to create his own Order state on the territory of the country. However, soon, in 1226, the Order entered into an agreement with the Mazovian Prince Konrad. It was directed against the enemies of the prince - the pagan tribes of the Prussians, who constantly attacked the princely possessions, repeatedly defeated him and demanded a ransom. According to the agreement of 1226, the Teutonic Order received the Chelmen land in exchange for the fight against the Prussians. And soon the German Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen, by his decree, gave Prussia to the Order and allowed the use of the image of the imperial eagle on the order’s banner. Subsequently, Pope Gregory IX approved the rights of the Teutonic Order to Prussia.
Prussia was a kind of confederation, including more than ten sovereign territories that were not united into a state. The Prussian tribes put up determined resistance. However, there was no unity between them, and their feuds and civil strife were skillfully used. At the end of the 13th century. (by 1283) The Teutonic Order conquered Prussia, almost the entire population was destroyed. In 1224, the crusaders captured the city of Yuryev and gave it the name Dorpat (Tartu).
In 1236, the Order of the Swordsmen suffered a crushing defeat near Siauliai (Saul) from the troops of the united Lithuanian state. In that battle, many knights and leaders died, including the Master of the Order.
At the direction of the Pope in 1237, the Teutonic Order was united with the remnants of the Order of the Sword. The Master of the Teutonic Order, who received the title of Grandmaster, was subordinate to the Master of the Order of the Sword, who became known as the Landmaster of the Livonian Order.
Battle of Neva
The first attack on the Slavic lands (in particular, on the Novgorod Republic) was launched by the Swedes. The interests of Sweden and Novgorod collided in Finland. From the 12th century The Swedes led the conquest of the lands of the pagan Finns. During the crusade, they captured the lands of the Sumi (Suomi) tribe, and at that time the Novgorodians attacked and burned the capital of Sweden (in 1187), the city of Sigtuna. In the 13th century. The Swedes began the conquest of another Finnish tribe, which Prince Yaroslav Vsevolodovich (father of Alexander Nevsky) helped resist.
Attacking the Novgorod lands, the Swedes pursued the following goals: to cut off the Novgorod Republic from the Finnish lands (emi), capture the Neva, deprive the republic of access to the Baltic Sea, capture Novgorod and its lands.
At the beginning of July 1240, many Swedish auger ships entered the mouth of the Neva. The head of the coast watch, Izhora elder Pelgusy (Pelkonen, baptized Philip) sent messengers to Novgorod to report the attack.
The Swedish troops were led by jarls (dukes) Ulf Fasi and Birger Magnusson, the son-in-law of the Swedish king Eric XI Burr. The ships sailed along the Neva and stopped at the mouth of its tributary, the Izhora River. The Swedes set up a camp on the shore, and Birger sent an ambassador to the Novgorod prince to convey the following words: “If you can, resist. Know that I have come and will take your land into captivity.”
In Novgorod from 1236 to 1240. reigned Alexander Yaroslavich (1220-1263). (He established friendly relations with the Polotsk prince Brachislav, securing them by marrying his daughter Alexandra.) Prince Alexander decided to achieve victory with a sudden, swift blow, cutting off the Swedish camp from the ships. There was little time to prepare for the attack, so he opposed the Swedes with his squad and a hastily assembled militia.
On the morning of July 15, 1240, the Novgorod army, passing along the Neva, suddenly attacked the Swedish camp. The First Novgorod Chronicle reports that the army of Prince Alexander pushed the Swedes to the shore and threw them into the river. “Many, many of them fell,” the chronicle reports. The Novgorodians were “terrible in the rage of their courage.” Alexander himself fought with the jarl
Birger and wounded him: “I put a seal on his face with my sharp spear.” The Swedish army was defeated. Having collected the killed Swedes, the residents of Novgorod “at the cost of two ships” launched them into the sea, and “they drowned in the sea.” The losses of the Novgorodians, according to the chronicle, amounted to twenty people killed. For this battle, Prince Alexander received the nickname Nevsky.
The Novgorodians were grateful to the prince for the victory on the Neva, but he had opponents in the city. The chronicle reports that soon after Alexander returned to Novgorod, “great sedition occurred.” As a result, the prince “with his mother, wife and retinue” left the city in anger and went to Pereyaslavl-Zalessky, to his appanage.
Battle on the Ice
In 1240, the knights of the Teutonic Order captured the Izborsk fortress and the city of Pskov. At the mouth of the Neva, they built the Koporye fortress, which blocked the Novgorodians’ path to the sea, and robbed merchants and peasants just 30 km from Novgorod.
By decision of the Novgorod Council, an embassy was sent to Prince Alexander, which persuaded him to return to Novgorod and lead an army against the Teutonic Order. Returning with his squad, the prince began to gather militia from all over the Novgorod land. Help also arrived from Father Yaroslav Vsevolodovich from the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality. The First Novgorod Chronicle reports: “Grand Duke Yaroslav sent his son Andrei to Novgorod the Great to help Alexander against the Germans, and he won and took many prisoners, and Andrei returned to his father with honor.”
In the spring of 1242, Prince Alexander Nevsky and his brother Andrei liberated Pskov with joint forces and stormed the Koporye fortress. Then the Novgorod army, together with the Karelians and Izhorians, headed west. At Lake Peipus, the prince learned that the knights of the Order were again moving to Pskov by the shortest route - through Lake Peipsi, on still strong ice. The princes decided to give battle to the troops of the Teutonic Order on the lake.
At dawn on April 5, 1242, the battle (“Battle of the Ice”) began on the frozen lake. The Knights of the Order fought in a wedge-shaped cavalry formation with infantry (bollards) inside. The outcome of the battle was decided by a sudden flank attack by Prince Alexander's squad. The First Novgorod Chronicle describes this battle in detail and emotionally. It is noted that the Novgorodians “fought like lions,” “there was a terrible noise from the blows of spears and swords, and the ice was not visible, because it was covered in blood.” The chronicler reports: “...countless miracles died, 400 knights were killed, and 50 were taken prisoner.” The Novgorodians pursued the retreating knights for seven miles. However, the Livonian Chronicle of the 13th century. notes that 20 knights died in the battle, and 6 were captured.
In 1243, an embassy from the Teutonic Order arrived in Novgorod (“they sent ambassadors with a bow to Novgorod”), which declared that it was renouncing the conquered Novgorod lands. During the negotiations, a peace agreement was concluded between Novgorod and the Teutonic Order.
Riga is the capital of the Latvian state. This city is the third most populous city on the Baltic Sea. The first and second are Stockholm and St. Petersburg. Riga located on the banks of the Daugava River, near its confluence with the Gulf of Riga. The founding date of the city is officially considered to be 1201. The city is divided into 6 districts. The historical center of Riga is located on the right bank of the Western Dvina, at a distance of about 10 km from the Gulf of Riga.
Riga's geographical location near the sea provides for the city's climate - moderately humid and warm. The summer months are usually cloudy and cool. Relatively warm winters, characterized by frequent thaws.
Riga's history goes back over 8 centuries. Archaeological finds can also tell about this, which give reason to believe that the local settlement existed back in the 12th century. At the end of the 12th century, an event occurred here, described in historical chronicles. Crusaders appeared on this land. During the course of the battle, Bishop Berthold, their first leader, died near Riga Mountain. The chronicler talks about this. The subsequent bishop moved to Riga in 1201 and began building fortifications near Lake Riga. It was this year that was considered to be the founding date of the city.
Many beautiful churches, buildings from the Middle Ages, as well as castles have been preserved in Riga to this day. The oldest is considered to be the Riga Castle, built in 1330. In 1642, when Riga was captured by Sweden, a new district was built, which in its present form has survived to this day. In 1938, the interior of the castle was changed to suit the needs of the Riga government. At the moment, the residence of the President of Latvia is located in Riga Castle. In addition to all this, there are some museums here: the history of Latvia, foreign art, literature, music and theater.
Riga offers many opportunities for entertainment and recreation. It is here that, regardless of the time of year, you can take an excursion, as well as engage in active recreation. To get to know the city better, you need to go on foot or by bike, or on a special bus for tourists. In addition to all this, you can take a ride on small boats sailing along the Daugava River, introducing tourists to the history of this city.
The Founding of Riga and Tales of the Crusaders
In the summer of 1201 AD, a German ship, on which Catholic Bishop Albert Buxhoeveden arrived, rested its nose on the sandy bank of the Riga River. He founded the city, named after the river on the banks of which they began to build it - Riga. What kind of river is Riga, you say? After all, the city of Riga, or rather the old part of it, lies on the right bank of the Daugava River (Western Dvina). Indeed, the Riga River no longer exists... During the tour you will find out where the river went, where the founding father of the city landed. You will walk along its bed. You will listen to a story about the streets of the city, how and why they were named, what functions they performed. Let's look at the oldest stone building in the city - the Church of St. George, the only thing left from the first castle of the crusading knights. You will learn about how the knights lived, converting the local population to Christianity with fire and sword.
Castles, legends and military pages of history
We will also look at the last castle of the Knights of the Livonian Order, which is now occupied by the President of the Republic of Latvia. Well, where there are castles, there are legends about treasures and, of course, ghosts. However, legends do not appear out of nowhere, because before the president, the owners of the castle were Polish, Swedish and Russian governors-general, the names of many of whom became legends during their lifetime! We will also see the remains of fortress walls with towers. Until 1857, Riga had the status of a fortress city, and what a fortress! Moreover, there were enough reasons for this! Wars. Who is with whom and why? The Germans, Poles, Swedes, Russians besieged or bravely endured a siege in the city more than once, and not without the participation of ordinary townspeople, of course.
How did the people of Riga live before?
You will see what kind of houses the residents of Riga lived in, how these houses were built and in what architectural styles, as well as what the townspeople did. And we will talk about this in detail at the buildings of the Large (trade) guild and the Small (craft) guild. Which crafts were revered in the city, and which were not so much. How trade developed. Where and how goods were stored and what rich merchants allowed themselves. Of course, we won’t pass Town Hall Square either. Let's find out how it came about. What functions did the Riga City Council perform? How criminals were punished in the Middle Ages and which girls, waving brooms in the morning, delighted the eyes of Riga residents. We will certainly take a look at the street, better known as Blumenstrasse or Bakerstreet.
Excursion cost
On the website you pay 23% of the cost, and the rest of the money goes to the guide on the spot. You can
The old Bishop Maynard died, and the new one - Berthold - no longer went to the Prince of Polotsk. By 1201, the main castles were built and tribute was no longer sent to the prince. For defense against Polotsk and the Livs, the knightly order of the Brothers of the Knights of Christ was established in 1202. Based on the image of the sword on their cloaks, knights began to be called swordsmen. Gradually, the order brought under control not only the Liv tribes, but also access to the Baltic Sea. Thus, another intermediary appeared in the North-South trade chain of Europe, and 1201 is considered the founding date of Riga.
Bishop Berthold zealously took up the baptism of the Livs, not stopping at the use of violence. Pagan uprisings began. During one of the battles, Berthold's frightened horse carried its owner into the thick of the enemy. The death of the bishop temporarily cooled the enthusiasm of the crusaders. The pagans began to return to old customs: they washed away Christian baptism in the Dvina, floated uprooted crosses down the river, and erected new idols.
But the order was not going to give up. The Pope blessed a new wave of crusaders. Professional robbers and “gentlemen of fortune” arrived by sea and land. The best technical achievements, financial, political and military power of Western Europe were on the side of the crusaders. The new people arriving did not take into account not only the local population, but also the founders of the order - the Riga bishops.
Prince Volodsha of Polotsk also did not sit idle. The prince's agents were preparing an uprising among the Livonians against the crusaders. Negotiations were actively underway with Novgorod about creating a coalition. One day, among the captured knights there were gunsmith specialists. They were forced to make five siege engines.
In 1203 everything was ready for the campaign. However, the Novgorodians still hoped that the Sword Bearers would not go further than the banks of the Dvina. They remembered the old grievance of Polotsk residents - how Vseslav the Magician removed the bells from Novgorod Sofia - and did not go on a campaign. Volodsha, without them, took several castles on the outskirts of Riga, but was defeated at the Golm fortress.
After the defeat at Golm, the Polotsk residents were forced to stop the campaign against Riga. In 1203, the Swordsmen were able to hold their main castles. The northern gate of the trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” came under the control of the Livonian Order.
There were still battles on the outskirts of Riga, and in the south the crusaders were already hurrying on another campaign. His goal is to bring Constantinople, which was the southern gateway of the route “from the Varangians to the Greeks,” under control. The most noble reason was announced: “restoration of justice” and “return of the throne” to the former Constantinople monarch Isaac Angelos, expelled by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios II. At the end of 1203 - beginning of 1204, the crusaders were already approaching the Byzantine Empire. The case was unprecedented - a crusade against Orthodox Christians was equated to a war against Muslims and pagans. The events that followed the capture of the huge and fabulously rich city went down in history as the “sack of Constantinople in 1204.” The southern gate of the trade route also fell into the hands of the crusaders. Naturally, no one was going to return the throne to the dynasty of Angels. They were forced to flee and on the outskirts of the former empire they created a small state - the Despotate of Epirus. Constantinople was declared the capital of the Eastern Latin Empire.
"Storm of Constantinople by the Crusaders." I. Tintoretto
The looting and destruction of Orthodox shrines caused not only enormous material damage. Imagine that the Vatican and the main shrine of Catholics - St. Peter's Basilica - found themselves in the hands of infidels. How would this affect Catholics? Constantinople was not only a rich city, but also the spiritual capital of Eastern Europe. Its capture resulted in a severe crisis of Orthodoxy, expressed in numerous baptisms and rebaptisms of Eastern European peoples. For a long time, the region became a center of instability and trouble, which more than once exacted a bloody “tribute” from the Catholic world. On the threshold of the third millennium, Pope John Paul II asked Orthodox Christians for forgiveness for the sack of Constantinople in 1204.
Prince Volodsha of Polotsk reigned for about thirty years. Half of this time he doubted: was it possible to let the crusaders into their lands? During the second half of his term, the prince tried to correct a mistake made at the beginning of his reign. The Principality tried many times to regain its lands. The swordsmen did not waste time either. With bribery and benefits, they attracted the leaders of the local Liv tribes to their side.
Estonian envoys made their way to Volodsha with requests to go together to Riga. The start of the campaign was scheduled for May 1216. Careful preparations took several months. It was decided to advance by land and along the Dvina. On the day appointed for the start of the campaign, the prince unexpectedly died. Perhaps he was poisoned. The special services of the Swordsmen achieved their goal. The prince did not complain about his health, so no plan was provided for this case. The governors dispersed to conduct the election campaign and again gather for a campaign against Riga. Polotsk residents continued to fight for the return of lost lands. But driving out the knights was not an easy task. They fought with them, then negotiated, then fought again.
As often happens in history, someone else's example teaches nothing. A decade after the death of Prince Wolodsha, the Polish Prince Konrad of Mazowiecki allowed the knightly Order of the Holy Virgin Mary to “carry the word of God” to the pagan Prussians. The Order, better known as the Teutonic Order, had a symbol - the selfless pelican bird. According to legend, during hunger, a pelican tears its chest and feeds its chicks with its entrails. The Baltic peoples felt the Teutonic “selflessness” first hand. After the wholesale extermination and displacement of the Polabian Slavs, their land became “originally German” and now the city of Berlin is located on it. Having exterminated the pagan Prussians, the Teutons began their expansion into neighboring lands.
Continuous wars weakened opponents. In 1236, in the battle with the Jamoits and Semigallians near Shauli (modern Siauliai), the master, as well as a third of the order, died.
Hanging seal of Alexander Nevsky. Historical Museum on Red Square in Moscow
Then the Curonians, Semigallians and villages rebelled against the power of the Order of the Swordsmen. The following year, the bloodless Swordsmen were forced to enter into an alliance with the Teutonic Order, which had settled in Prussia. The struggle between Polotsk and the crusaders for the mouth of the Dvina lasted more than one hundred and fifty years and ended with the signing of compromise agreements regulating trade and shipping.
Slavic and Baltic princes, who participated in numerous internecine conflicts, often turned to the knights for military and financial assistance. Once they became “clients” of the knights, the princes could not pay them until their death.
At the same time, the relationship of the Sword Bearers with their founders - the Riga bishops - also cannot be called warm.
The stumbling block was a clause in the order's charter, according to which the knights received only a third of the conquered wealth and lands, and the rest went to the bishopric. The Sword Bearers openly conflicted with Berthold's successor Albert and gradually emerged from the control of the bishops. In 1330, the swordsmen broke through the Riga wall and solemnly entered the city, demonstrating who was boss. They built their castle inside Riga. The Bishop of Riga complained to the Pope that the swordsmen were killing not only pagans, but also Christians, and even finishing off their wounded colleagues. Despite the curse of the pontiff, the swordsmen lived in the Riga castle and continued to do the same.
7. Slavs between two fires. The need to create ON
The trade route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” had another exit in the north - through Novgorod. Of course, the Livonian Order sought to get its hands on this trade flow. And Novgorod, naturally, fought for its interests. Pskov also did not stand aside. But Polotsk, Novgorod, Smolensk and Pskov also managed to fight among themselves.