Maskavas Forštate

Maskavas Forštate (German: Moskauer Vorstadt; English: Moscow District), also known as Maskačka is a suburb of Riga situated on the right bank of the Daugava. The 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.

History

See also: Riga Ghetto

The history of Maskavas Forštate district goes back to at least the 14th century, in some parts the medieval street network has been preserved.

Architecturally, the neighborhood reflects its history as an area of Russian, Belarusian and Jewish migration, especially characteristic wooden homes.

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.

Safety

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 Statistic Riga 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

Maskavas Forštate is the only district of Riga where churches of 5 different confessions are located.

• The Jesus Church is the biggest wooden classical building in Latvia.
• Grebenstchikov Old Believer house of prayer is the largest in the world.
• The Central market, located in a series of former Zeppelin hangers.

In popular culture

Some scenes in the television adaptation of the Robert Harris novel Archangel, starring Daniel Craig, were filmed on Maskavas Iela and Katolu Iela.

Gallery

• 

  Lutheran Church of Jesus

• 

  St. Francis Catholic church and school

• 

  Old Believer's House of Prayer

• 

  All Saints Orthodox Church

• 

  Maskavas Street, the main thoroughfare

• 

  Church of the Annunciation from the spire of the Academy of Science

• 

  Hay Market

External links

• Riga historical encyclopaedia
• Latgale suburb area history in Latvian language
• The Virtual Jewish History Tour History of the Riga ghetto

Video

• Astro'n'out "Daļa Rīgas"