Legend of Riga - Riga, Latvia - Engrish Signs on Waymarking.com

This box in the middle of a park along the shores of the river, explains the legend of Riga. The plaque says, "'Once upon a time, long ago, before the city of Riga was founded, a tall strong man named Lielais Kristaps (Big Christopher) carried people across the river Daugava. Kristaps lived in a cabin on right bank of the river.

While sleeping on night, Kristaps heard a small child crying on the other side of the river. He immediately rose to fetch the child, and began to carry it across the river. Half way across, the child became so heavy that Kristaps barely managed to get to the other bank. Exhausted, he laid the child down to sleep in his shack, and fell asleep himself.

The following morning Kristaps awoke to find a large chest of gold coins where the child had been. Upon his death, the money was used to found the city of Riga, the first building was build on the spot where Kristaps cabin had once stood.'

Gint Upitis in 1997 ade a copy of the original wooden sculpture built by Michael Brinkman in 1693. The original statue is located in Museum of History of Riga and Navigation."

Original Language: Latvian Translation of foreign language portion of the sign: The plaque should have said "'Once upon a time, long ago, before the city of Riga was founded, a tall strong man named Lielais Kristaps (Big Christopher) carried people across the river Daugava. Kristaps lived in a cabin on THE right bank of the river. While sleeping on night, Kristaps heard a small child crying on the other side of the river. He immediately AROSE to fetch the child, and began to carry it across the river. HALFWAY across, the child became so heavy that Kristaps barely managed to get to the other bank. Exhausted, he LAY the child down to sleep in his shack, and fell HIMSELF ASLEEP. The following morning Kristaps awoke to find a large chest of gold coins where the child had been. Upon his death, the money was used to found the city of Riga, the first building was BUILT on the spot where KRISTAPS' cabin had once stood.' Gint Upitis in 1997 made a copy of the original wooden sculpture built by Michael Brinkman in 1693. The original statue is located in THE Museum of History of Riga and Navigation."

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