Riga was founded by German crusaders and merchants under Bishop Albert of Buxhoeveden, who arrived at the mouth of the Daugava river with a fleet to convert the peoples of Livonia to Christianity and to extend German influence. The Livonian Brothers of the Sword, a military order, was set up to defend the colony. The city became a member of the Hanseatic League and a major centre of trade between Western Europe and Russia. Later it was ruled by Poland-Lithuania, Sweden and then Russia, under which it grew into a major industrial port. Its Art Nouveau architecture and old town are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It has been the capital of independent Latvia since 1918, apart from the Soviet period.
Before and after
- 12th centuryConstruction of Maiden Tower
- c. 1200sKilwa becomes a great Swahili trading city
- c. 1200sThe rock-hewn churches of Lalibela are carved
- 23 April 1200Death of Zhu Xi
- c. 1201Origins of Riga
- 13th centuryConstruction of Roskilde Cathedral
- 13th centuryConstruction of Nidaros Cathedral
- 13th centuryConstruction of Lincoln Cathedral
- 13th centuryConstruction of Konark Sun Temple
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- from 618 CE to 907 CETang dynasty
- 622 CEConstruction of Prophet's Mosque
- 637 CEConstruction of Potala Palace
- from 800 CE to 1258Islamic Golden Age
- 1070Construction of Windsor Castle
- 1386Construction of Heidelberg University
The era
This moment belongs to the Medieval world (500 CE to 1500 CE), kingdoms, faiths and trade routes. You can also browse everything in the 13th century.