21.07.2011

Latvijas Pastsdedicates special envelope to eight-hundredth anniversary of Riga Cathedral

To celebrate the 800^th anniversary of Riga Cathedral (also known as the Riga Dom Cathedral), Latvijas Pasts has released a special envelope with a unique image of the cultural and architectural monument of Latvia. The first day cancellation event for the envelope will take place on July 25, the day when the foundation stone of Riga Cathedral was laid, from 9 AM to 6 PM.

In the newly-issued envelope, artist Ģirts Grīva has portrayed Riga Cathedral in water colors with a view from Doma Square. The cancellation released alongside the envelope graphically depicts the golden weathercock at the top of the Dom Cathedral. The envelopes with the first-day cancellation will be available for purchase for LVL 0.35, and they have a total print run of 1000.

Riga Cathedral belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Latvia. It is the largest medieval church in the Baltic states and an architectural monument of national significance. The foundation stone of the Riga Dom Cathedral as the seat of the bishop of the Diocese of Livonia was laid on July 25, 1211, and the ceremony was headed by Bishop Albert. The organ of the Cathedral, built in 1883/1884, is among the most valuable historical organs in the world. Restoration of the Riga Dom Cathedral has been ongoing since 2005. The impressive building has also been included in the 2006 World Monuments Watch of the World Monuments Fund.

View the special envelope for the eight-hundredth anniversary of Riga Cathedral here.

The next new stamp issue is planned for August 5.

About VAS Latvijas Pasts

Latvijas Pastsensures the widest availability of postal services throughout Latvia by maintaining more than 600 post offices. The primary function of the company is provision of the universal postal service; Latvijas Pasts also provides philately, transport and express mail, financial intermediation, payment, press subscription and retail services. Latvijas Pasts is a fully state-owned company with approximately 5000 employees.

Additional information:

Agija Tērauda,
VAS Latvijas Pasts
Public relations specialist
Phone: +371 67608504
E-mail:agija.terauda@pasts.lv
www.pasts.lv