During archaeological excavations at St. Peter's Church, the foundation and fragments of the walls of a historic 13th-century temple were discovered

As noted by archaeologists, the find provides new information about the location and size of the historic temple, as well as about the medieval construction of Riga. The walls of the ancient church were found beneath the current altar area - in a section that had previously been considered a later addition to the temple. This means that previous notions about the history of the church's construction will need to be revised, says the head of the archaeological research, Mārtiņš Lūsens. Researchers established that the width of the discovered walls is about two meters. In several places, it is evident that later constructions of the church rest on the ancient foundation, which was reused during the reconstruction of the temple. In certain areas of the excavation, the foundation was found at a depth of about six meters. Alongside the ancient structures, archaeologists found burials, crypts, fragments of historical floors, parts of tombstones, and elements of church interiors, including marble fragments of the former pulpit. The discovered structures are being documented through measurements, drawings, and three-dimensional scanning. Archaeological research and testing of the church's foundation strength are ongoing. During the reconstruction, it is planned to leave two excavation sites open so that the historical structures are accessible to visitors, and researchers can monitor their condition. The German parliament has allocated more than 33 million euros for the reconstruction of St. Peter's Church. In addition to religious activities, after the reconstruction, the church is planned to host exhibitions, concerts, and conferences, improve accessibility to the tower for visitors, and update the organ. St. Peter's Church is one of the most important monuments of medieval architecture in Riga.