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History of Saint John's Church - Built in 1234 and it was used as a Dominican monastery, but was later enlarged into a cathedral. It was destroyed in the 15th century during a war. It was restored in a late-Gothic style. The larger outside wall was decorated with two masks of monks with open mouths. City legend tells that during ceremonies, Dominican monks would preach behind the masks.
The interior of Saint Johns Church has simple White Wash Walls, Stained Glass Windows, Pews and décor. The most historical parts of the interior of the church is its 18th century alter, and the nine cycle of paintings on the Passion of Christ found hanging on the balcony in the rear of the church, In 1691, Kords Meijers was commissioned for a cycle of paintings on the Passion of Christ. The nine paintings of this cycle, painted on canvas, represent the only work by Meijers still to be seen in the church. These paintings are based on illustrations in a Bible published in Lüneburg.
The most important 18th century feature of Saint Johns Church is its alter, particularly significant as the only one of Rigas carved wooden Baroque alters preserved to the present day. The alter was created in 1763 by carpenter Karlis Gotlobs Apelbaums, and the sculptures are the work of Danzig woodcarver Ernsts Johans Meijers. It was painted by Andrejs Vilhelms Silings, who also created one or two of the paintings. The alter retable is in general quite modest. At the centre of the retable is Christ on the Cross, with sculptures of Saint Peter and Saint Paul on shapely Rocaille consoles at the sides behind columns with a background of pilasters. Above the broad and ornate cornice, the stable architecture is transformed into billows of gilded white clouds, surmounted by a nimbus of rays, lit up by the windows at the back.
The most vivid features of the alter, are two paintings incorporated into the alter, The Last Supper on the predella and the dynamic composition of the Resurrection of Christ on the second level.
Created at the same time as the alter, was the alter rail with the fine curving railing of the steps and the vases, along with two lecterns, one of which is still in the church sacristy.
The present fairly simple pulpit under the triumphal arch was made after Napoleons invasion of Russia, when in 1815 the congregation returned to the church and began repairs.
Tags: Tour Travel Events Riga Latvia Saint John's Church City of History Art Statues Plaques Crests Vaults Stained Glass Windows Head Stones Grave Markers Tombstones Alter Pulpit Churches Historical
