St. Peter's Church

St. Peter's Church (Sv. Petera baznica) at Skarnu iela 19 in the Old Town of Riga, Latvia, is a Lutheran church first mentioned in the early 13th century and rebuilt several times since. Its Gothic brick body is overshadowed by its 123 m spire, which has become one of the defining marks of the Riga skyline. The tower has been rebuilt more than once after fires and wartime damage, most recently after the Second World War. The main reason most visitors come is the lift to the viewing platform at about 72 m, which gives an uninterrupted panorama over the Old Town roofs, the Daugava river, the Latvian National Library across the water and the Art Nouveau districts beyond the boulevards. The ride is short and the platform is outdoors, wrapped by a railing, so it can be windy and cold outside summer. The church interior is open as an exhibition and concert space, with a high, plain nave and a few historical displays. A visit to the tower normally takes about 45 minutes including queues. The best photo angles are from the platform looking toward Town Hall Square and the House of the Blackheads, and from the ground at the base of the street looking up the tower. Clear afternoons give the best visibility, and sunset in summer is especially popular. Crowds build from late morning, and in July and August a queue often forms at the ticket desk. Tower hours vary by season and the tower is closed on Mondays, so the website should be checked. The church sits two minutes from Town Hall Square, close to the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design and the Bremen Town Musicians statue, and is easily combined with a walk through the surrounding lanes.