Our Lady of Sorrows Church

Our Lady of Sorrows Church

A contemplative stop on the Riga audio-guided tour, Our Lady of Sorrows Church strikes the mind with its name. Built in 1785 to serve the minority Catholic community, then rebuilt in the nineteenth century in a neo-Gothic style, it is recognisable by its white facade.

A unique blue roof

The church stands out for its tall tower with a pale blue roof, a rare detail in the city. It is the only church in the historic centre to have a roof of this colour, chosen during the reconstruction to underline its silhouette and affirm the Catholic presence in a city long dominated by Lutheranism and Orthodoxy.

What to see

Dedicated to the Virgin of the Seven Sorrows, the church has become a symbol of resilience, evoking the situation of Catholic worshippers who kept their faith in a diverse religious environment. Enter this place of worship with quiet and respect for silence.

Practical information

Our Lady of Sorrows Church is in Riga's old town. Like any active place of worship, it is visited with respect for silence and services; hours should be checked depending on the season.

What is special about Our Lady of Sorrows Church ?

Its tall tower with a pale blue roof, unique among the churches of Riga's historic centre.

To whom is the church dedicated ?

To the Virgin of the Seven Sorrows; it has become a symbol of resilience for the city's Catholics.