Maskavas Forštate
Encyclopedia
Maskavas Forštate also Maskačka is an old Riga
neighbourhood situated on the right bank of the river Daugava. This neighborhood is located to the south of the old City of Riga along the road connecting Riga to Moscow
, from which its name is derived.
Maskavas Forštate has many inhabitants from south-eastern Latvia and also quite many from Belarus and Russia. Their influence can be seen in the local architecture - there are many Russian elements, wooden houses often have ornaments characteristic for Russians and Belarussians.
During the Nazi occupation of Riga
, the neighborhood was turned into a ghetto for Jews. Today, there are memorials on the site of the synagogue and the old Jewish cemetery. Most of the prewar buildings remain standing.
Riga is divided into 9 districts with the following levels of criminality:
In the past, Maskavas Forštate was the most dangerous district in Riga, which is the reason for many stereotypes.
But new buildings, offices, shops, migration of local families has made the district’s improvement possible.
A further development of Maskavas Forštate was limited due to it being awarded “Protected Heritage” status, which is the reason why the old wooden houses are still in the area. Today, some renovations of wooden houses have been undertaken.
Although Maskavas is now safe, there is sometimes a feeling of insecurity created by the ambience of old wooden houses not renovated, especially for tourists from Western Europe.
Based on the number of criminal offences against foreigners, Maskavas Forštate is the 3rd safest district in Riga (out of 9 districts) according to statistics from the Latvian Ministry of the Interior.
novel Archangel, starring Daniel Craig
, were filmed on Maskavas Iela and Katolu Iela.
Video
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
neighbourhood situated on the right bank of the river Daugava. This neighborhood is located to the south of the old City of Riga along the road connecting Riga to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, from which its name is derived.
History
The history of Maskavas Forštate district goes back to at least 14th century - this could be the second oldest urban part of Riga after Old City. Up to this day in some places the medieval street network has been preserved.Maskavas Forštate has many inhabitants from south-eastern Latvia and also quite many from Belarus and Russia. Their influence can be seen in the local architecture - there are many Russian elements, wooden houses often have ornaments characteristic for Russians and Belarussians.
During the Nazi occupation of Riga
Occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany
The occupation of Latvia by Nazi Germany was completed on July 10, 1941 by Germany's armed forces. Latvia became a part of Nazi Germany's Reichskommissariat Ostland — the Province General of Latvia...
, the neighborhood was turned into a ghetto for Jews. Today, there are memorials on the site of the synagogue and the old Jewish cemetery. Most of the prewar buildings remain standing.
Average level of criminal offences
Maskavas Forštate district has an average level of criminality along with the Centre and Old Riga. Ministry of the Interior StatisticRiga is divided into 9 districts with the following levels of criminality:
- 2 HIGH (more than 2900 criminal offences). Located in the periphery of Riga.
- 4 AVERAGE (between 2100 and 2700 criminal offences). Centre, Old Riga, Maskavas Forštate.
- 3 LOW (less than 1700 criminal offences). Purvciems, Mežaparks (One of the wealthier areas of Riga).
In the past, Maskavas Forštate was the most dangerous district in Riga, which is the reason for many stereotypes.
But new buildings, offices, shops, migration of local families has made the district’s improvement possible.
A further development of Maskavas Forštate was limited due to it being awarded “Protected Heritage” status, which is the reason why the old wooden houses are still in the area. Today, some renovations of wooden houses have been undertaken.
Although Maskavas is now safe, there is sometimes a feeling of insecurity created by the ambience of old wooden houses not renovated, especially for tourists from Western Europe.
Based on the number of criminal offences against foreigners, Maskavas Forštate is the 3rd safest district in Riga (out of 9 districts) according to statistics from the Latvian Ministry of the Interior.
Points of interest
- It's the only district of Riga where churches of 5 differents confessions are located.
- The Jesus Church is the biggest wooden building in Latvia.
- Grebenshikov's old-believer preaching-house is the biggest in the world.
- The Oldbeliever's church is the only gold-plated Oldbeliever's church in the world.
- The Central market, which at the start of the 20th century was the biggest and most modern market in Europe.
In popular culture
Some scenes in the television adapation of the Robert HarrisRobert Harris
Robert Harris or Rob Harris may refer to:* Robert Harris , MP for Steyning* Robert Harris , English Puritan* Robert Harris , governor of Anguilla...
novel Archangel, starring Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig
Daniel Wroughton Craig is an English actor. His early film roles include Elizabeth, The Power of One, A Kid in King Arthur's Court and the television episodes Sharpe's Eagle, Zorro and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles: Daredevils of the Desert...
, were filmed on Maskavas Iela and Katolu Iela.
External links
- Riga historical encyclopaedia
- Latgale suburb area history in Latvian language
- The Virtual Jewish History Tour History of the Riga ghetto
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