Lielais Kristaps (Big Christopher), Riga
Big Christopher is the legendary founder of Riga, who is widely recognized as the city鈥檚 protector from floods and other natural calamities. Sailors and fishermen would habitually ask Big Christopher for help whenever they ventured out to the sea.
Legend has it that Big Christopher was a ferryman who used to carry people across the Daugava river. One night he heard a baby crying on the opposite side of the river and rushed to its rescue. As he picked up the baby from the water and carried it to the bank, the closer he got to the bank, the heavier the baby would grow. Finally, as he reached the dry land and put the baby down, he fell asleep almost immediately because of the extreme exhaustion. The next morning, when he woke up, to his surprise Christopher discovered, instead of the baby, a big pile of money.
According to the legend, that money was used to build the city of Riga. Some people claim that the baby was none other than Jesus himself, although the authorities prefer to keep it free from religious context so that everyone could love Big Christopher regardless of their faith and recognize him as the city鈥檚 benefactor.
In 1683, a wooden statue of Big Christopher with the baby was installed in the place where the hero supposedly lived. Riga citizens come regularly to the statue; they bring flowers and light candles when asking for Big Christopher's protection. Today, the original statue can be seen at the Latvian Museum of History and Navigation, while its replica adorns the Daugava river bank.
Legend has it that Big Christopher was a ferryman who used to carry people across the Daugava river. One night he heard a baby crying on the opposite side of the river and rushed to its rescue. As he picked up the baby from the water and carried it to the bank, the closer he got to the bank, the heavier the baby would grow. Finally, as he reached the dry land and put the baby down, he fell asleep almost immediately because of the extreme exhaustion. The next morning, when he woke up, to his surprise Christopher discovered, instead of the baby, a big pile of money.
According to the legend, that money was used to build the city of Riga. Some people claim that the baby was none other than Jesus himself, although the authorities prefer to keep it free from religious context so that everyone could love Big Christopher regardless of their faith and recognize him as the city鈥檚 benefactor.
In 1683, a wooden statue of Big Christopher with the baby was installed in the place where the hero supposedly lived. Riga citizens come regularly to the statue; they bring flowers and light candles when asking for Big Christopher's protection. Today, the original statue can be seen at the Latvian Museum of History and Navigation, while its replica adorns the Daugava river bank.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Riga. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Lielais Kristaps (Big Christopher) on Map
Sight Name: Lielais Kristaps (Big Christopher)
Sight Location: Riga, Latvia (See walking tours in Riga)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Riga, Latvia (See walking tours in Riga)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Riga, Latvia
Create Your Own Walk in Riga
Creating your own self-guided walk in Riga is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Riga Old Town Walking Tour
The area that is home to present-day Riga has hosted inhabitants since the days of the Vikings. With a sheltered natural harbor nearby, the River Daugava made Riga a stop on the Vikings' Dvina-Dnieper trade route to Byzantium.
Trade allowed the area to flourish, and the Livs, a Finnic tribe, settled it. In the early Middle Ages, the town's economy revolved around fishing, trading, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Trade allowed the area to flourish, and the Livs, a Finnic tribe, settled it. In the early Middle Ages, the town's economy revolved around fishing, trading, and... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles
Art Nouveau Architecture Walk
An architecture lover in general and that of Art Nouveau in particular will find plenty to look at in the quiet center of Riga. J奴gendstil (Latvian: Art Nouveau) architecture makes up roughly one third of all buildings in the heart of Latvia's capital. In fact, the city boasts the highest concentration of Art Nouveau structures anywhere in the world.
Constructed during a period of rapid... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Constructed during a period of rapid... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Historical Churches and Cathedrals
One great thing about Riga is that the majority of its religious sites are concentrated in the historic center. A variety of faiths found in the Latvian capital is fairly broad for such a small country and includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Lutheran, to mention but a few.
The 13th-century Riga Cathedral is perhaps the most significant house of prayer in the city. The imposing mix of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
The 13th-century Riga Cathedral is perhaps the most significant house of prayer in the city. The imposing mix of... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Traveler's Choice of 12 Uniquely Latvian Souvenirs from Riga
Reemerged after regaining independence in the early 1990s, Latvia is anxious to reveal its beauty to the outside world. The country's capital Riga is a good showroom for the country's cultural riches and traditions. Here's the list of the unique Latvian products to look for while in...