Description of the attraction
Saint Maynard Island is a small island located in the city of Ikskile. The city of Ikskile is located in the west of the Ogre region, about 30 km from Riga.
In 1966-1974, after the construction of the Riga hydroelectric power station, the island of St. Meinard was born. Previously, this land was located on the banks of the Daugava.
Despite the fact that the island is quite small and practically artificial, it has considerable historical significance. On it are the ruins of the very first Christian church, built in 1184 by the first preacher and bishop of Latvia, Meinard. It was in the region of Ikšile that the canon of the Zeber Monastery of the Augustinian Order, Meinhard (in Latvian, his name began to be pronounced as Maynard), founded the first Christian mission. It is believed that thanks to Maynard, Latvia became Christian.
The church was the first religious building made of stone (dolomite) in Latvia. Also, red brick was used in the construction. The vaults of the temple were covered with plaster, and now the remaining parts of the walls are covered with cement to protect from external environmental conditions. Complete renovation and reconstruction of the church was carried out in the years 1879-1881. In 1916, the temple was destroyed by artillery fire. Most likely, it was destroyed by the Germans, fearing that observation and regulation of fire by Latvian riflemen could be organized from its bell tower. The surviving part of the church was one of 2 halls. The second hall has been completely destroyed.
In 1974, after the construction of the Riga hydroelectric power station, only the upper part of the temple walls remained on the surface. A metal roof has been installed on the ruins of the church. Near the temple, the ruins of the first stone castle, created to defend the mission and the baptized Livs from the raids of the pagans, were hidden by the flooded by the Riga reservoir. Thus, the foundation of the island was the embankment that was created during the construction of the castle.
St. Meinard Island is a famous place among pilgrims from Latvia and other countries. Saint Maynard's Day is celebrated on 14 August. In honor of the saint, a solemn ceremony is held on the island on the first Sunday after August 15. A large number of people gather for the holiday not only from Latvia, but also from neighboring countries.
In August, the water in the reservoir goes down for a week, so pilgrims can get to the island on foot along the former road (it was flooded by the reservoir), along which the stumps of the once existing alley have been preserved. During the rest of the year, boats are transported to the island.
A memorial stone has been erected on the shore near the island of St. Meinard with the name of the city of Ikskile in Latvian, Livonian and German. Also here, according to the idea of the artist E. Samovich, a ten-meter metal cross was installed, and according to the idea of the sculptor J. Karolvs - a stone altar. The opportunity to organize the sacrament of a wedding, baptism is provided.
