Near Riga: Ikškile Ikšķile is 28km from Riga. The name comes from the Livonian word ükskül meaning village number one. It is one of the oldest Livonian settlements, there being a village on this site as far back as the 9th century. Ikšķile church, the oldest stone building in Latvia, was first built by Bishop Meinhard in 1185. It was rebuilt in 1879-1881. In the 1970s, with the building of the Riga hydroelectric power plant reservoir, it was stranded on an island. However, thankfully the ruins were preserved and a protecting roof built over them. In the summer, when the water level is low it is possible to walk to the church (as it is - on skis - in winter when the river freezes over).
Posted on: Thu, 20 Mar 2014 03:23:29 +0000
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