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Ikšķile Church Ruins on St. Meinard Island

Explore Latvia's oldest stone ruins on a Daugava River island, a historical landmark and spiritual sanctuary with medieval origins.

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The Ikšķile Church ruins, located on St. Meinard Island in the Daugava River, are the oldest stone building ruins in Latvia. Built in 1185 under Bishop Meinard's guidance, the church was destroyed in 1916 and is now a conserved historical site surrounded by the waters of the Riga HES reservoir.

A brief summary to Ikšķiles baznīcas drupas uz Svētā Meinarda salas

Local tips

  • Visit during the summer months for a chance to walk to the island when the water levels are low.
  • Be mindful of nesting birds and avoid disembarking on the island between May and August.
  • Attend the St. Meinard's Days celebrations, which usually take place on the first Sunday after August 15th.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Ikšķile town center, head towards the Daugava River. Depending on the water level of the Riga HES reservoir, you might be able to walk directly to St. Meinard Island via a path that emerges when the water is low. This path follows the route of a former alley, with tree stumps visible on either side. Check local conditions beforehand, as this option is only available during specific times of the year. No cost for access.

  • Public Transport

    Take a bus from Ogre or Riga to Ikšķile. From the Ikšķile bus stop, it's a walk towards the Daugava River. From there, access to the island is either by boat or, during low water levels, via the walking path. Bus fares from Riga to Ikšķile range approximately from €2 to €4. Boat fares to the island may vary, inquire locally.

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Discover more about Ikšķiles baznīcas drupas uz Svētā Meinarda salas

The ruins of Ikšķile Church on St. Meinard Island represent a significant historical and spiritual site in Latvia. The island, artificially created in the Daugava River, is home to the remains of the first stone building in the country. Constructed around 1185 under the leadership of Bishop Meinard, the church marked the beginning of Christianity's spread in the region. Meinard, a canon of the Augustinian Order from the monastery in Segeberg, Holstein, invited craftsmen from Gotland to build the church, as stone construction was then unknown in the Baltics. Before the founding of Riga in 1201, the church served as the seat of the Livonian Bishop. It underwent significant reconstruction between 1879 and 1881 but was eventually destroyed in 1916 during World War I. In the 1970s, the construction of the Riga Hydroelectric Station (HES) led to the flooding of the surrounding area, transforming the site into an island. Today, the ruins are preserved, and a roof has been built over them for protection. A 10-meter-high metal cross and a stone altar stand on the island, created by artists E. Samovičs and J. Karlovs, respectively. Since the 1990s, St. Meinard's Days have been celebrated near the church. The island is accessible by boat, or on foot during summer months when the water level in the Riga HES reservoir is lowered. From May to August, visitors are asked to avoid disembarking to protect nesting wild birds.

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