Riga Church of Our Lady of Sorrows is the first stone sacred buildings in Riga, built after the Reformation in Livonia. In its place stood a small chapel, consecrated in 1865. In 1875 he passed through Riga Austrian Emperor Joseph II, who, visiting this small temple was surprised and angered the poor and unsightly view of the chapel. He donated a considerable sum of money for the construction of a representative of the church.

The foundation stone of the future church was consecrated in 1784, and a year later was consecrated a newly built church in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows, conducted the service, Bishop Janis Benislavskis. The construction of the church donated the future emperor of Russia Pavel I, the Polish king Stanislaw Poniatowski and other Polish magnates. In addition, they provided financial assistance, within its capabilities, local Catholics. According to the instructions of the Empress Catherine II, all the buildings on the castle square, including the church were to be built in the classical style.

Built church was a three-nave building in the church led three entrances, the main located on the side. The church itself has been performed in the classical style, but some parts belonged to the Baroque.

In May, 1854 in Riga, I visited the Russian Emperor Nicholas I, who, after examining the temple, said that the building is roomy enough, and it is too narrow. Notes emperor accelerated the repairs. In 1858, the cardinal began restoration of the building, which lasted 2 years. The head of the restructuring was a young and talented architect Johann Daniel Felsko.

Last reconstruction of the church Our Lady of Sorrows, which resulted in the temple acquired a modern appearance, took place in 1895. The architect of the project was the German master Wilhelm Bockslaff. It gives the building a neo-Renaissance shape and expanded its premises for completion by the rite of baptism.

As a result, the church acquired a graceful eclectic finish almost unchanged survived to this day. The height of the church, including the steeple is 35 meters. The main entrance is from the Castle Square. The length of the church is 48 meters, width - 17 meters. The church as well as a three-nave and initially shape the type it belongs to the church hall type buildings. The top of a three-storey tower, serving as a dominant, crowned by a pyramidal spire.

Regarding the interior is worth noting that after several reconstructions, each brought something of his own that it was a bizarre mixture of all architectural styles. Here you will notice the elements of classicism, this style church was originally made. The first elements of the restructuring brought romance and Gothic, and of all the later Renaissance elements appeared. Church successfully underwent periods of war and Soviet times, all the while she was acting.