Peitav Synagogue
Synagogue Historic synagogue in Riga, active Jewish congregation
In central Riga, the Peitav Synagogue (Peitav Shul) is the city’s main Orthodox synagogue; visitors come for Jewish heritage, weekday services and its restrained 20th‑century architecture.
Peitav Synagogue is an active Jewish house of worship located in Riga’s Old Town. It serves as a central place of worship and community gathering for Riga’s Jewish population.
The synagogue contains a main prayer hall and spaces for religious services and community events; it is visited both for worship and by those interested in Riga’s Jewish heritage. The building stands among the compact streets of the Old Town.
The synagogue remained standing through the Second World War while many other local Jewish sites were destroyed, and in the post-war and post-Soviet periods it has returned to active use for religious and communal functions.
Situated in central Riga within the historic Old Town area, the synagogue is accessible on foot from other central landmarks and sits within the city’s dense urban fabric.
- Survival and active use: One of the few synagogues in Latvia that survived wartime destruction and later resumed active religious services and community use.
Tips for Visiting Peitav Synagogue #
- Contact the synagogue ahead of your visit to confirm opening hours and any visitor rules-Peitav is an active congregation and access can be limited outside scheduled visiting times.
- Avoid Friday afternoon/early evening and Saturday morning (Shabbat) and major Jewish holidays when services are held; plan visits on weekday mornings when quieter and staff are likelier to answer questions.
- The synagogue is centrally located in the Riga area-combine a short visit with nearby Old Town sites, but respect any photography or dress requests made by on-site staff.
Best Time to Visit Peitav Synagogue #
For visiting Peitav Synagogue, choose weekday hours outside main prayer times; check opening hours and any visitor policies beforehand.
Weather & Climate near Peitav Synagogue #
Peitav Synagogue's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -6°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (658 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 80 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (77 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (67 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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