Latgale neighbourhood

Latgale neighborhood
Neighborhood ofRiga
Latgales Street, the main thoroughfare
Location in Riga
Country	Latvia
City	Riga
District	Latgale Suburb
Area
• Total	7,594 km2(2,932 sq mi)
Population (2018)
• Total	31,918
• Density	4.2/km2(11/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2(EET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+3(EEST)
Website	apkaimes.lv

Latgale neighbourhoodofRigais situated on the right bank of theDaugava.The neighborhood is located to the south ofOld Riga.Until 2024 the neighbourhood was namedMaskavas forštate(German:MoskauerVorstadt) also known asMaskavas priekšpilsētaand colloquially asMaskačka,a name derived from the road historically connecting Riga toMoscow.

History

See also:Riga Ghetto

The history of Maskavas forštate, whose name in English literally meansMoscowSuburb,goes back to at least the 14th century, in some parts the medieval street network has been preserved. However, the area is first mentioned in 1348 by the name ofLastādija(German:Lastadie).

Architecturally, the neighborhood reflects its history as an area ofRussian,BelarusianandJewishmigration, especially characteristic wooden homes.

During theNazi occupation of Riga,the neighborhood was turned into aghettofor Jews. Today, there are memorials on the site of theGreat Choral Synagogueand the Old Jewish Cemetery. Most of the prewar buildings remain standing.

Prior toWorld War II,the area was referred to in official Latvian documents as theStatistical District Latgaleand informally asLatgales apkaime(Latgale neighborhood) before becoming known asMaskavas forštate(Moscow Suburb). After independence from theSoviet Union,it reverted to its prewar name in 2024 as part ofderussificationefforts by the Latvian government.

Demographics

In the 1980s and 1990s the area developed a reputation for drug abuse and criminal activity. New buildings, offices, shops and the migration of local families have changed the district's economic profile in the 21st century.

By 2008, Maskavas Forštate had an average level of criminality along with theCentreandOld Riga.The Ministry of the Interior of Latvia divided Riga into 9 districts with the following levels of criminality:

• 2 - High (more than 2900 criminal offences): Located in the periphery of Riga.
• 4 - Average (between 2100 and 2700 criminal offences):Centre,Old Riga,Maskavas forštate.
• 3 - Low (less than 1700 criminal offences):Purvciems,Mežaparks(One of the wealthier areas of Riga).

Based on the number of criminal offences against foreigners, Maskavas forštate was the 3rd safest district in Riga according to the statistics.

Architecture

Wooden buildings

The area has a notable legacy of diverse religious buildings, reflecting its history as a destination for numerous migrants.

• TheLutheranJesus Churchis the biggest wooden classical building in Latvia.
• Grebenstchikov Old Believer House of Prayeris the largest in the world.

TheCentral Marketis located next to therailway stationin a series of formerZeppelinhangars.

Protected Heritage status for older wooden houses has prevented their demolition, and a process ofgentrificationis underway.

Higher Education

Baltic International Academy

Lomonosova Street (lv) is the location of a cluster of higher education institutions.

• Baltic International Academy
• Transport and Telecommunication Institute
• ISMA University
• College of Economics and Culture(lv)

The building of theLatvian Academy of Sciencesis located on Akadēmijas Square. Nearby is the Riga Building College.

The Latvian Academy of Culture(lv) is onLudzas Street(lv).

Transport

Tram on Latgales street

The suburb is defined by theRiga–Daugavpils Railwaywhich borders it on the north and east along withmarshaling yards.If theRail Balticaproject is competed as planned in Riga, part of therailway embankmentseparating the suburb from the city centre will be replaced by an overpass bridge, greatly restoring access to the suburb.

CentralandVagonu Parksstations are accessible from the area.Rigas Satiksmeoperates a tramline down Latgales street and bus services throughout.

In popular culture

Some scenes in the television adaptation of theRobert HarrisnovelArchangel,starringDaniel Craig,were filmed on Latgales (formerly Maskavas) iela and Katoļu iela.

The 1995 adaption ofThe Dogs of Rigafeatured scenes set atRiga Central Market.In the 2012 adaptation, in theWallanderTV seriesfeaturingKenneth Branagh,the main character visits Latgale Market (Latgales tirgus) on Firsa Sadovņikova street.

Gallery

• 
  Lutheran Church of Jesus
• 
  St. Francis Catholic Churchand school
• 
  Old Believer's House of Prayer
• 
  All Saints Orthodox Church
• 
  Orthodox Church of the Annunciationfrom the spire of theAcademy of Sciences
• 
  Holy Archangel Mikhail Orthodox Church
• 
  St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Church
• 
  Orthodox Church of Our Lady of Kazan
• 
  St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church
• 
  Ruins of theGreat Choral Synagogue
• 
  Central Marketand railway tracks
• 
  Quarter ofSarkanie Spīķeriold warehouses now reconstructed as offices and exhibition halls (Latgales 24).
• 
  Hay Market

External links

• Riga historical encyclopaedia
• Latgale suburb area historyin Latvian
• The Virtual Jewish History TourHistory of the Riga ghetto