St. Maynard Island - a small island located in the city of Ikšķile. The town is located in the west of Ikskile Ogre region, about 30 km from Riga.

In 1966-1974 years after the construction of Riga HES island of St. Maynard was born. Previously, this land is located on the banks of the Daugava.
Despite the fact that the island is very small and almost artificial, it has considerable historical significance. On it are the ruins of the first Christian church built in 1184 was the first preacher and bishop LatviiMeynardom. It is in the area of ​​Ikskile Canon Zeberskogo monastery of the Order of Augustinian Meinhard (in the Latvian language his name was pronounced as Maynard) founded the first Christian mission. It is believed that due to Maynard, Latvia became a Christian.

The church was the first religious building stone (dolomite) in Latvia. Also in the building it was used red bricks. The vaults of the church were covered with plaster, and now the rest of the walls are covered with cement to protect against external environmental conditions. Complete repair and reconstruction of the church were carried out in 1879-1881, respectively. In 1916, the temple was destroyed by artillery fire. Rather, it destroyed the Germans, being careful that its bell tower can be organized supervision and regulation of fire Latvian riflemen. The surviving part of the church was one of the 2-rooms. The second hall is completely destroyed.

In 1974, after the construction of Riga HES from the walls of the temple was only on the surface of the upper part. On the ruins of the church installed a metal roof. Near the temple hid Riga reservoir flooded ruins of the first stone of the castle, created to defend the mission of the baptized and Liv from the raids of the Gentiles. Thus, the base of the island became a mound that was created during the construction of the castle.

The island of St. Maynard - famous among pilgrims from Latvia and other countries. St. Maynard's Day is celebrated on 14 August. In honor of the saint of the island runs a ceremony on the first Sunday after August 15. On the feast is about to a large number of people not only from Latvia, but also from neighboring countries.

In August, the water in the reservoir goes down for a week, so the island can be reached on foot pilgrims on the former road (reservoir was flooded), along which stumps preserved once the existing mall. The rest of the year are ferried to the island by boat.

On the shore near the island of St. Maynard erected a memorial stone with the name of the city of Ikšķile in Latvian, Liv and German. There is also the idea of ​​the artist E.Samovicha ten-installed metal cross, and on a plan Ya.Karolvsa sculptor - a stone altar. The opportunity to organize the sacrament of marriage, baptism.