Latvia
Swedish Gate
 |
This is the oldest remaining portion of the Old Town fortifications, the rest having been progressively knocked down because artillery made them obsolete. This fragment was built between the 13th and 16th centuries and restored during Soviet times, hence its rather 'new' appearance. It used to run between the Bishops' Castle and the Castle of the Brothers of the Sword. At the end of Aldaru, is the Swedish Gate built in 1698 to celebrate the Scandinavians' occupation of the city, and the only such structure left in Old Riga. The apartment above belonged to the city executioner or bende, who would put a red rose on the window ledge on the morning before a head rolled.
Like many other medieval buildings, this one has a legend too: Back in the days in the place of the Swedish Gate, there was a house that belonged to a rich merchant. Like any other merchant at that time he had to pay a tax to bring goods into the town of Riga. As he was a clever merchant, he though “instead of paying, I’d rather get rid of the house and build a gate”. And so he did. And that’s how the Swedish Gate got erected.
Since the wall has been gradually falling apart, several restoration works took place over 80s and 90s. This is visible by the colour of the bricks that you can easily notice. However, the Swedish Gate is the only structure in the Old Town of Riga that preserved its original looks.
