Kārzdaba Orthodox Church and Kārzdaba Cemetery
Kārzdaba is another lost witness of history. Once it was one of the most prominent centers of Orthodox culture in the Vidzeme highlands. Please observe safety and caution in the vicinity of the building.
The place is located in a picturesque area. The territory is surrounded by a rich park. An old, thick alley leads to the church. There is an old Kārzdaba cemetery opposite the church.
Kārzdaba used to be a crown manor, a prominent regional Orthodox center with an Orthodox church, a famous parochial school and two primary schools. The Orthodox Church was founded in 1846, and as late as 1932 it had around 2,000 members. The church ceased to function during Soviet rule. The building is slowly decaying and the congregation no longer exists.
Pēteris Sarķis (1862-1895) is buried in the cemetery. He was a teacher, a writer, a pioneer of the genre of fables in Latvian literature. In 1896, the writer's friends and admirers of his work erected a tombstone for him on his grave. A memorial place for General Roberts Kļaviņš (1885-1941), Cavalier of the War Order of Lāčplēsis, has been created in the cemetery. During the revival, sand from the possible resting place of the general in the Komunarka mass grave near Moscow was reburied with military honors. The cemetery also contains the resting place of Olga Kligere from Kusen. She was the prototype of the main character of a book "Mēness meitiņa" written by Rainis (1925). "Mēness meitiņa" is one of the most beautiful collections of Rainis love lyrics.
The mossy cross stone on the side of the road near the graves was installed in honor of the 50th anniversary of the existence of the Kārzdaba parish in 1896.
The remarkable church was built in 1875. Its architect is Robert August Pflug (1832-1885), who also designed the Orthodox Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ in Riga. It is said that the church had important artistic values. There is a bell from the time of Catherine, painted with orders, a large altar painting and 4 more paintings in gilded frames, etc.
Working time
This place is always available.