6. ST. JOHN CHURCH

The church is built on the site of the bishop's palace of Albert of Riga (thirteenth century). In 1234 Dominican friars took responsibility for the original small chapel and dedicated it to John the Baptist. It was extended around 1330, and continued as a Dominican chapel and parish church until 1523, and the Reformation. It continued as a parish church of the reformed Evangelical Lutheran Church. From 1587 there was further expansion of the church, in stages. The church suffered severe damage in Riga's great city fire of 31 May 1677, but was repaired, with a new spire added the church is dedicated to St John the Baptist and contains several art works related to the saint, including a large painting on the north side of the crossing, and a stained glass window depicting the saint, to the right (south) of the high altar. The window, with others, was installed around 1900

Those Interred in the Wall  St.John's Church has a legend - in the 15th century two monks wished to become saints and were immured in the wall. While they were still alive, Riga residents fed them through a special hole. But they were not consecrated. Many decades later a recess with their remains was found. The recess was bricked up anew so as not to disturb the remains of the deceased, and this opening on the external wall w as left . There is still a cross-shaped hole in a wall where both bodies lie. The lower part of the wall has a cross-like opening covered by a lattice.

Two stone masks with their mouths wide open can be seen on the external wall of St.John’s Church on Skārņu Street. According to stories, similar features existed in all Dominican churches, and through these masks notice was given to those outside that the preaching had begun.

In the summer months organ and vocal music concerts are held here every Saturday at 17:00, which are open to the public.

Saint John’s Church. Opposite Saint Peter’s there is Saint John’s Church with a nice copper rooster. When the tall gothic steeple,  ruined over time in the second part of the XIX century, a new one was constructed in the Neo-Gothic style, and the rooster was transferred to the gable.

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