Remains of City Fortification walls and Towers

Architectural monument of national significance.  Dates fron the 13th - 15th century.

Restoration.

 

The plan of Riga fortification wall. Daily newspaper "Diena" February 8, 2001.

Torna Street.

View from Troksnu Street.

 

11 Kaleju Street.

 

11 Kaleju Street. View from the Courtyard of St.John Church.

The City fortification wall in St. John's Courtyard was exposed in 1938, when the building next to the wall - one of the oldest Latvian schools in Riga: John's School - was destroyed. In 1960 the fortification wall, total length 20 meters, was reconstructed.

In Torna Street one can see part of the City fortification wall, reconstructed at the end of the twentieth century. Passing through Swedish Gate on the left side one can notice part of Troksnu Street, which shows the inner part of the fortification, as it was until the sixteenth century, when the street was construction free. In case of war the City protectors gathered together. Every craft protected one part of the fortification wall. These men were in full armament and with six leather buckets. The last ones are supposed for fire emergency. Later requirement was to bring salted beef skin, which could cover on the roof to hinder the fire. The members of the Great Guild and Blackhead Organization formed cavalry entities.

© Artificial Intelligence     Laboratory, IMCS,     University of Latvia