- Address: Smilšu iela 20, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia;
- Working hours: every day from 10:00 to 18:00;
- Phone: +371 67 223 743;
- Website: karamuzejs.lv;
- Sightseeing: The Military Museum of Latvia.
In Riga , the capital of Latvia , there are many medieval buildings that serve as a reminder of the history of the city. All of them are in different condition, so it's sometimes difficult to judge the architecture of that time. Among the buildings can be identified a building that is perfectly preserved - it is the Powder Tower.
Currently, for its intended purpose, the tower is not used, but it has become a refuge for the branch of the Military Museum . Once the Powder Tower and 24 other buildings of the same type were combined into the city's city fortification system. There is an assumption that the tower was first built in a quadrangular shape, then it was made semi-circular, such a Powder Tower is presented in the photo.
History of the Powder Tower
The first mention of the building dates back to 1330, then the tower was the main defense of the city gate. The original name of the structure was the Sand Tower, it was given to it because of the characteristics of the surrounding area. The sandy hills that stretched around gradually disappeared, but the name was fixed for many years.
The construction of the tower began after the conquest of Riga by the Knights of the Livonian Order. Master Eberhardt von Montheim ordered to strengthen the defense of the city, as a result of which a tower was erected in the north of the city line defense.
Since it was a strategically important point of defense, it was many times equipped to improve. Therefore, at first the tower was made six-story, and then between the fifth and sixth floors made a special pantry for catching the cores.
The name from Peschanaya to Porokhovaya was changed around the time of the Swedish-Polish war (1621), when the tower was completely destroyed and then rebuilt. The new name is not accidental - during the siege of the city around the building flew clouds of powder smoke.
After the capture of Riga by the troops of Peter I the tower was abandoned. During that time, while Latvia was a part of the Russian Empire, the city was reconstructed. As a result, all elements of the protective system, except for the Powder Tower, were eliminated.
Powder Tower, Riga - use
Since 1892 the building was used as a student entertainment center, this appointment was carried out until 1916. Fencing halls, dances and a beer hall were equipped here. The capital renovation of the building was carried out by the students of the Riga Polytechnic.
Then the building was given to the Museum of Latvian Rifle Regiments. After Latvia's accession to the USSR, the Nakhimov Naval School opened in the tower, and then the Museum of the October Revolution. After the return of Latvia's independence in 1991, the tower housed an exposition of the military museum.
The view, in which the building appears before modern tourists, appeared in the 17th century. Since that time, the height of the tower is 26 m, the diameter is 19.8 m, the wall thickness is 2.75 m. According to unconfirmed reports, under the Powder Tower are bunkers built during the Second World War, but classified, have not yet been found.
Where is the tower?
The Powder Tower is located at: Riga , ul. Smilshu, 20.