Die Petrikirche in Riga: Zur Diskussion über die Baugeschichte und zur Stellung innerhalb der “Hansegotik”

Riga St. Peter's Church construction history since the 19th century has been intensively and controversially debated. Until today, important issues have not been clarified. This article does not give in to controversy issues and attempts to give new impulses to the discussion. From the art historian's point of view, the only but unfinished new building in Livonia with a choir apse and chapel crown is one of the oldest churches in Eastern Baltic area, whose constructional elements are derived from the Northern French stone cathedrals, which were transplanted to the Eastern Baltic brick. In addition, a special role is attributed to the church of St. Mary in Rostock, the basic plan of which has been repeated in Riga up to specific details, so that one can speak of a direct copy. The brickwork and some of the decorative elements also have a Rostock touch. The person responsible for this transfer was Johannes Rumeschottel, Rostock's mason supervisor and bricklayer, whose activities in Riga are evidenced by the account book for the construction of the altar choir. From this source it is possible to obtain various details of the building process and to know the craftsmen involved. In addition to St Mary's Church in Rostock, the Schwerin Cathedral and the Cistercian church in Doberan, which the builder knew, can be mentioned as examples of some of the construction details. It would be desirable for future restoration work to be accompanied by thorough building surveys and archaeological studies with new evidence to better support judgements related to the building history.