St John’s Courtyard

Jāņa sēta, or St John’s Courtyard, is a small historic inner courtyard tucked away in the heart of Riga’s Old Town. It stands on a highly symbolic site, as this is where Bishop Albert, the founder of Riga, established his first residence along with the city’s very first church, making it the birthplace of the city. Today, only a few traces of the original castle remain, but if you turn around, you can still spot fragments of the old medieval fortification walls. Surrounded by historic buildings, cobblestones, and cafés, the courtyard has become a quiet and pleasant spot away from the tourist crowds, while still preserving an atmosphere steeped in history.