The First Christmas Tree - Riga, Latvia
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N 56° 56.837 W 024° 06.388
26V E 675993 N 6315243
sculpture of a Christmas tree located in front of the Blackheads House on the Town Hall Square in Riga, Latvia
Waymark Code: WMYX0T
Location: Latvia
Date Posted: 08/04/2018
Views: 10
This sculpture of a Christmas tree is located in front of the Blackheads House on the Town Hall Square in Riga, Latvia.
It commemorates the tradition of decorating Christmas trees which originated in 1510 in Riga at this very place. In 2010, when Latvia celebrated the 500th anniversary of this festive tradition that now spans across the world, this sculpture was placed here.
The tree is usually placed on octagonal sign implanted in the pavement. Each side of the sign has an engraving in a different language. The English side reads: The First New Year's Tree in Riga in 1510.
On Holidays, the sculpture is moved aside and replaced with a real decorated Christmas tree.
Regarding the history of the Christmas tree, it is not totally clear whether the birthplace of the Christmas Tree was in Tallinn or Riga. As the two Blackheads Fraternities were related, one might conclude that it happen in both cities in the same years.
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