Maskavas Forštate (german: Moskauer Vorstadt) also known as Maskavas priekšpilsēta and colloquially as Maskačka, is a suburb of Riga situated on the right bank of the

Daugava , be, Заходняя Дзвіна (), liv, Vēna, et, Väina, german: Düna , image = Fluss-lv-Düna.png , image_caption = The drainage basin of the Daugava , source1_location = Valdai Hills, Russia , mouth_location = Gulf of Riga, Baltic ...

. The neighborhood is located to the south of Old Riga along the road historically connecting Riga to

Moscow Moscow ( , US chiefly ; rus, links=no, Москва, r=Moskva, p=mɐskˈva, a=Москва.ogg) is the capital and largest city of Russia. The city stands on the Moskva River in Central Russia, with a population estimated at 13.0 millio ...

, from which its name is derived.

History

The history of Maskavas Forštate, whose name in English literally means ''Moscow Suburb'' goes back to at least the 14th century, in some parts the medieval street network has been preserved. However, the area is first mentioned in 1348 by the name of Lastādija (). 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 Great Choral Synagogue and the Old Jewish cemetery. Most of the prewar buildings remain standing.

Demographics

In the 1980s and 1990s the area developed a reputation for drug abuse and criminal activity. New buildings, offices, shops and the migration of local families have changed the district's economic profile in the 21st century. By 2008, Maskavas Forštate had an average level of criminality along with the

Centre Center or centre may refer to: Mathematics * Center (geometry), the middle of an object * Center (algebra), used in various contexts ** Center (group theory) ** Center (ring theory) * Graph center, the set of all vertices of minimum eccentri ...

and Old Riga. The Ministry of the Interior of Latvia divided Riga into 9 districts with the following levels of criminality:''Ministry of the Interior''
Statistic year 2008 * 2 - High (more than 2900 criminal offences): Located in the periphery of Riga. * 4 - Average (between 2100 and 2700 criminal offences):

, Old Riga, Maskavas Forštate. * 3 - Low (less than 1700 criminal offences):

Purvciems Purvciems is a neighbourhood in the Vidzeme Suburb of Riga, Latvia. Its name literally translates as "marsh village". It is located on the east bank of the River Daugava, to the east of the City Centre and is defined roughly as the area between ...

Mežaparks Mežaparks (german: Kaiserwald) is a neighbourhood of Northern District in Riga, the capital of Latvia. It consists of a residential area to the South and a large urban park to the North of the same name – Mežaparks. The neighbourhood is ...

(One of the wealthier areas of Riga). Based on the number of criminal offences against foreigners, Maskavas Forštate was the 3rd safest district in Riga according to the statistics.

Architecture

The area has a notable legacy of diverse religious buildings, reflecting its history as a destination for numerous migrants. *The

Lutheran Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and Protestant Reformers, reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Cathol ...

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 Central Market may refer to: *Central Market, a 2009 album by Tyondai Braxton Fresh food markets * Adelaide Central Market, Australia * Cardiff Central Market, Wales *Central Market, Hong Kong * Central Market, Casablanca, Morocco * Riga Central ...

is located next to the

railway station Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a prep ...

in a series of former

Zeppelin A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship named after the German inventor Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin () who pioneered rigid airship development at the beginning of the 20th century. Zeppelin's notions were first formulated in 1874Eckener 1938, pp ...

hangars. Protected Heritage status for older wooden houses has prevented their demolition, and a process of

gentrification Gentrification is the process of changing the character of a neighborhood through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses. It is a common and controversial topic in urban politics and planning. Gentrification often increases the ec ...

is underway.

Higher Education

Lomonosova Street ( lv) is the location of a cluster of higher education institutions. * Baltic International Academy *

Transport and Telecommunication Institute Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TTI) ( lv, Transporta un Sakaru Institūts, TSI) (russian: Институт Транспорта и Связи, ИТС) (previously known as RCAII and Riga Aviation University) is the largest university- ...

* ISMA University *

College of Economics and Culture A college (Latin: ''collegium'') is an educational institution or a constituent part of one. A college may be a degree-awarding tertiary educational institution, a part of a collegiate or federal university, an institution offering ...

( lv) The building of the

Latvian Academy of Sciences The Latvian Academy of Sciences ( lv, Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmija) is the official science academy of Latvia and is an association of the country's foremost scientists. The academy was founded as the ''Latvian SSR Academy of Sciences'' ( lv, L ...

is located on Akadēmijas Square. Nearby is the Riga Building College. The Latvian Academy of Culture ( lv) is on Ludzas Street ( lv).

Transport

Maskavas Forštate, Latgale Suburb, Riga, Latvia - panoramio (32)

The suburb is defined by the Riga–Daugavpils Railway which borders it on the north and east along with marshaling yards. If the

Rail Baltica Rail Baltica (also known as Rail Baltic in Estonia) is a high-speed railway under construction between Warsaw, Poland and Tallinn, Estonia, with further connections to Finland via Baltic Sea cruiseferries or the proposed Helsinki–Tallinn Tunn ...

project is competed as planned in Riga, part of the railway embankment separating the suburb from the city centre will be replaced by an overpass bridge, greatly restoring access to the suburb. Central and Vagonu Parks stations are accessible from the area. Rigas Satiksme operates a tramline down Maskavas street and bus services throughout.

In popular culture

Some scenes in the television adaptation of the Robert Harris novel

Archangel Archangels () are the second lowest rank of angel in the hierarchy of angels. The word ''archangel'' itself is usually associated with the Abrahamic religions, but beings that are very similar to archangels are found in a number of other relig ...

, starring

Daniel Craig Daniel Wroughton Craig (born 2 March 1968) is an English-American actor who gained international fame playing the secret agent James Bond in the film series, beginning with '' Casino Royale'' (2006) and in four further instalments, up to '' ...

, were filmed on Maskavas Iela and Katolu Iela. The 1995 adaption of ''

The Dogs of Riga ''The Dogs of Riga'' ( sv, Hundarna i Riga) is a Swedish detective mystery by Henning Mankell, set in Riga, the capital of Latvia. It is the second book of the Kurt Wallander series, and was translated into English by Laurie Thompson. The book ...

'' featured scenes set at Riga Central Market. In the 2012 adaptation, featuring

Kenneth Branagh Sir Kenneth Charles Branagh (; born 10 December 1960) is a British actor and filmmaker. Branagh trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and has served as its president since 2015. He has won an Academy Award, four BAFTAs (plus ...

, the main character visits Latgale market on Firsa Sadovņikova street.

Gallery

File:Рига, 2012 Riga - panoramio.jpg, Lutheran Church of Jesus File:Sv.Franciska katoļu baznīca, Rīga, 2017.jpg, St. Francis Catholic Church and school File:Grebenščikova vecticībnieku baznīca Rīgā 04.JPG, Old Believer's House of Prayer File:Rīgas Visu Svēto pareizticīgo baznīca (1880 J.Baumanis), Katoļu iela 10a, Rīga, Latvia - panoramio (1).jpg, All Saints Orthodox Church File:Rīgas Vissvētās Dievmātes Pasludināšanas pareizticīgo baznīca.jpg, Orthodox Church of the Annunciation from the spire of the

Academy of Sciences An academy of sciences is a type of learned society or academy (as special scientific institution) dedicated to sciences that may or may not be state funded. Some state funded academies are tuned into national or royal (in case of the Unit ...

File:Rīga, pareizticīgo baznīca Maskavas ielā 2004-04-12.jpg, Holy Archangel Mikhail Orthodox Church File:Rīga, Jāņa Priekšteča pareizticīgo baznīca 2002-11-03.jpg, St. John the Forerunner Orthodox Church File:Chapel in Riga (8228905325).jpg, Orthodox Church of Our Lady of Kazan File:Saint Gregory the Illuminator church in Riga.JPG, St. Gregory Armenian Apostolic Church File:Memorial.Choral Synagogue (Riga) 02.jpg, Ruins of the Great Choral Synagogue File:16-08-31-View from Latvian Academy of Sciences building-RR2 4257.jpg,

Central Market Central Market may refer to: *Central Market, a 2009 album by Tyondai Braxton Fresh food markets * Adelaide Central Market, Australia * Cardiff Central Market, Wales *Central Market, Hong Kong * Central Market, Casablanca, Morocco * Riga Central ...

and railway tracks File:Spīķeru apbūves ansamblis,Maskavas iela, Rīga 24.JPG, Quarter of ''Sarkanie Spīķeri'' old warehouses now reconstructed as offices and exhibition halls. Maskavas street 24. File:Maskavas01.jpg, Hay Market

References

External links

Riga historical encyclopaediaLatgale suburb area history
in Latvian

History of the Riga ghetto ;Video
Astro'n'out "Daļa Rīgas"
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maskavas Forstate Neighbourhoods in Riga Russians in Latvia Holocaust locations in Latvia