Last week’s fire at Riga Castle has left the Latvian landmark with heavy damage, including the destruction of the roof and several rooms.
The castle, which was built in the mid-14th century, is normally the residence of Latvia’s president, Andris Berzins, and home to the National History Museum. A government official commented that some significant items in the museum suffered water damage but none was destroyed.
Advertisement
The fire began on Riga Castle’s upper floors late in the evening of June 20 after construction workers left the site at the end of the day. Dozens of firefighters were called to put out the fire, which lit up the night in the Latvian capital. No one was killed in the fire, but one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.
Riga Castle was founded in 1330 by the Livonia Order and served as the headquarters for the military order during the later Middle Ages. It was destroyed by the people of Riga in 1484 but soon rebuilt, and over the centuries it has been used as an administrative centre for various governments.
Advertisement
Work to renovate and restore the castle began in December. Marite Straume, a spokeswoman for the company carrying out the restoration, says that they will be able to continue their work on most the castle. She adds, “At the same time, we are also participating in clean-up operations in areas where it has been deemed safe to work – getting rid of debris and construction waste and drying water-damaged items and the rooms themselves. In the more dangerous areas, like the White Hall, the floor must first be reinforced before work can safely begin.”
Last week’s fire at Riga Castle has left the Latvian landmark with heavy damage, including the destruction of the roof and several rooms.
The castle, which was built in the mid-14th century, is normally the residence of Latvia’s president, Andris Berzins, and home to the National History Museum. A government official commented that some significant items in the museum suffered water damage but none was destroyed.
The fire began on Riga Castle’s upper floors late in the evening of June 20 after construction workers left the site at the end of the day. Dozens of firefighters were called to put out the fire, which lit up the night in the Latvian capital. No one was killed in the fire, but one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.
Work to renovate and restore the castle began in December. Marite Straume, a spokeswoman for the company carrying out the restoration, says that they will be able to continue their work on most the castle. She adds, “At the same time, we are also participating in clean-up operations in areas where it has been deemed safe to work – getting rid of debris and construction waste and drying water-damaged items and the rooms themselves. In the more dangerous areas, like the White Hall, the floor must first be reinforced before work can safely begin.”
Here are videos about the fire
Related Posts
Subscribe to Medievalverse