St. Peter's Church

Svētā Pētera baznīca

A Gothic church whose tall spire offers a viewing platform with sweeping panoramas over Riga's rooftops and the Daugava River. Its striking silhouette is one of the city's defining landmarks.

Things to do

• Ascend the spire viewing platform — Take the elevator up the 123-meter tower to the observation deck at around 72 meters for sweeping 360-degree views over Old Riga's rooftops and the Daugava River.
• Admire the Gothic interior — Explore the soaring red-brick nave, one of the oldest and most monumental medieval churches in the Baltics, dating back to 1209.
• Find the Bremen Town Musicians statue — Spot the whimsical bronze sculpture of the donkey, dog, cat, and rooster near the church's rear, a gift from Riga's twin city Bremen.
• See the rooster weathervane replicas — View the historic golden cockerels once perched atop the spire, now displayed inside as symbols of Riga.
• View art exhibitions in the halls — Browse the rotating temporary exhibitions of Latvian art and history held within the church's side galleries.
• Stroll surrounding Old Town streets — Wander the cobbled lanes of Skarnu and Kaleju streets around the church to reach the House of Blackheads and Town Hall Square.

Food to try

• Grey peas with bacon — Try pelekie zirni ar speki, the hearty Latvian national dish of grey peas simmered with onions and smoked pork, at nearby Old Town taverns.
• Rye bread — Sample dense, dark Latvian rupjmaize, often served warm or turned into the sweet dessert maizes zupa with cinnamon and cream.
• Riga Black Balsam — Sip the bitter herbal liqueur made from a secret recipe of 24 ingredients, taken straight, in coffee, or mixed with blackcurrant.
• Sklandrausis — Taste this traditional Latvian pastry tart filled with sweet carrot and potato paste, a protected regional specialty.
• Smoked fish from the market — Head to the nearby Riga Central Market to buy smoked sprats and other Baltic fish, a Latvian staple.

Local customs & good to know

• Check spire opening hours — The tower and elevator have set hours that vary by season and may close in high winds, so verify times before visiting.
• Buy a combined ticket — Entry to the tower carries a separate fee, and combined tickets covering the church interior and elevator offer the best value.
• Dress respectfully inside — As an active Lutheran church, modest attire and quiet behavior are expected, especially during services.
• Visit at sunset — Arrive on the platform in the late afternoon for golden light over the terracotta rooftops and river panorama.

Nearby

• Riga Old Town — 0 km
• Freedom Monument — 1 km
• Riga Central Market — 1 km
• Riga Castle — 1 km