2. Sand Tower
One of the most important fortification in
ancient Riga’s walls ‘cause it guarded
cities gate to the west. First it was known
as Sand Tower and first mentioned in
year 1330. It was named as Sand Tower
‘cause of dunes in front of it. But then in
15th century it was reconstructed for
weapon storing. Since 17th century to
now days we know it as Powder Tower
‘cause then city’s garrison started to store
gunpowder in it. Within its 3 meter heavy
walls for some years city’s prison and
torture chambers was situated. In now
days there is museum of war
Author: Rihard
Tīrums
4. Triangula Bastion history-
Rīga,Lativa
• From its foundation in 1201 Riga always had fortification wall system surrounding it. In the
16th and 17th centuries a new type of defensive system was developed in Riga to protect
town against artillery attack. The territory of the present Old Riga was surrounded with an
earthen rampart. Positioned at the corners of the rampart and the major gates were
projecting polygonal fortifications – bastions. In the moat in front of these, artificial
fortified triangular islands – ravelins – were built. A separate fortress, the Citadel on the
bank of the Daugava downstream from the castle, provided additional protection. All this
made Riga one of the strongest fortified centers on the eastern shore of Baltic Sea.
• Over the course of time, the fortification systems were improved: the outer walls of the
defenses were faced with stone blocks, the moat was broadened and forward defenses
were added in front of the rampart. As firearms developed, the fortifications gradually lost
their importance and began to hinder urban development. Between 1857 and 1864 the
wall was taken down. Only part of the moat was preserved to form the city canal, and an
artificial mound, called Bastejkalns, was thrown up at the site of the former Sand Bastion.
• The Triangula Bastion, the smallest though highest of the bastions, was reconstructed in
1727. The fortification was pentagonal in plan, open on the side facing the town. The width
of the Bastion at the city rampart reached 61 meters, while the distance from rampart to
the outermost point 35 meters. The bastion wall was 7–8 meters high, built at an angle of
50-70 degrees. It was faced with blocks of pink and grey dolomite. Behind decorative
blocks, the 2,1 meter thick wall itself was built of rough grey dolomite. Inside the fortified
area there was another, inner wall repeating the shape of the outer wall and separated
from it by a distance of 5 – 11 meters. The space between the walls was filled with sand.
6. Riga Castle
•
Riga castle is the symbol and home of Latvian secular authority. The Castle’s
construction began in 1330 as the construction of the residen ce for Master of
Livonian Order. Inner dissents resulted in the degradation of the previous
residence, White Stone Castle, belonging to the Master of the Livonian Order,
and the inhabitants of Riga were forced to build a new one. When the Master’s
residence moved to Cesis in 1484, the citizens of Riga raised the castle again, and
after some time it was rebuilt once again. Originally the castle was fortress-like 3
story building with an inner courtyard and four towers. During the renovation of
the castle in 1495–1515 two towers were altered, the interior was wrapped with
cellule and stellar arches, above the gates were placed sculptural relief of the
order’s patroness, St. Mary, and the order’s master, Valter von Pletenberg. The
largest rebuilding took place in XVIII and XIX centuries. In 1783 the main
structure of the castle was rebuilt, a three story construction, to serve the needs
of Riga Province’s authority. In 1818 at the castle’s front the premises for the
general province’s representation were erected for governor-general of Vidzeme.
In 1938 the castle’s front premises was renovated and furnished to the needs of
the president of Latvia. Since 1995 the President of Latvia is using the restored
government’s premises. Some parts of the castle house museums and other
cultural institutions.
•
8. Swedish Gate
• Swedish Gate is one of Old Town sights, located next to
another one famous Riga sight Jacob's Barracks.
Swedish Gate was one of the eight gates in Riga Defensive
Wall. This gate was built in 1698 making way through already
built house.
All gates in Riga were opened at sunrise, and closed down at
sunset.
