St. James's Cathedral
Religious Site Roman Catholic cathedral in Riga, historic episcopal seat
Roman Catholic cathedral in Riga’s Old Town dating to historic city layers; visitors attend services and examine the church’s architecture within the compact medieval centre.
St. James’s Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Riga’s Old Town, representing one of the city’s longstanding churches. The building dates to the medieval period and has been altered and restored over subsequent centuries.
Inside visitors encounter ecclesiastical furnishings, liturgical artwork and features added during later renovations; the cathedral functions as an active place of worship for the local Catholic community. Guided or public access is subject to service times and parish schedules.
The structure was established in medieval Riga and has undergone multiple phases of repair and modification as the city evolved. Its fabric reflects a mixture of medieval origins and later architectural interventions made to accommodate changing liturgical and community needs.
The cathedral stands in Riga’s compact Old Town, within walking distance of other central historic sites. It is located in the city centre of Riga, Latvia.
- Visiting: Active Roman Catholic parish with regular services and occasional concerts; check parish schedules for visiting times.
How to Get to St. James's Cathedral #
St. James’s Cathedral sits in Riga Old Town (Doma laukums area). From Riga Central Station it is an easy walk of roughly 1.2 km (about 12-20 minutes) into the pedestrianised Old Town; follow the main streets toward Dome Square to reach the cathedral. By car it is in the city-centre Old Town area (short local drive from Central Station).
Best Time to Visit St. James's Cathedral #
Visit in late spring to early autumn for the best combination of mild weather and regular opening hours, or shoulder seasons for fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near St. James's Cathedral #
St. James's Cathedral's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -6°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (659 mm/year).
January
January is freezing 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 (42 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 (47 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 (60 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 (78 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 (76 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 (66 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 (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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