Nativity of Christ Cathedral


Its polished gilded cupolas gleaming through the trees, this Byzantine-styled Orthodox cathedral (1883) adds a dazzling dash of Russian bling to the skyline. During the Soviet period the church was converted into a planetarium, but it's since been restored to its former use. Mind the dress code – definitely no shorts; women are asked to cover their heads.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Rainis Statue

0.12 MILES

One of the great Latvian writers, Rainis – his pen name – created works that called for independence and have become part of the Latvian identity. He died…

2. Esplanāde

0.13 MILES

The expansive Esplanāde is a large park dotted with tall trees, wooden benches and open-air cafes. The Latvian National Museum of Art graces it on one…

3. Latvian National Museum of History

0.15 MILES

This museum traces Latvian history from the Stone Age to the hipster age. If the exhibits have a temporary feel it's because the museum is meant to return…

4. Jews in Latvia Museum

0.16 MILES

This small and rather informal space briefly recounts the city’s history of Jewish life until 1945 through artefacts and photography. Rīga’s Jewish…

5. Latvian National Museum of Art

0.17 MILES

Latvia's main gallery, sitting on the edge of the Esplanāde's leafy grounds, is an impressive building that was purpose-built in a baroque-classical style…

6. Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

0.18 MILES

This museum colourfully details Latvia’s Soviet and Nazi occupations between 1940 and 1991. Some of the exhibits are disturbing, including first-hand…

7. Vērmanes dārzs (Vērmanes Garden)

0.2 MILES

From Brīvības, pass the swirls of colour at the 24-hour flower market along Tērbatas iela to find the inviting Vērmanes dārzs. During the summer months,…

8. Freedom Monument

0.21 MILES

Affectionately known as ‘Milda’, Rīga’s Freedom Monument towers above the city between Old and Central Rīga. Paid for by public donations, the monument…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "latvia/riga/central-riga/attractions/nativity-of-christ-cathedral/a/poi-sig/446827/1342834",
      "position": "superzone"
    }