Heating Network Works in Riga's Cathedral Square Uncover 16th–17th Century Household Finds

Remains of everyday life of early Riga residents have been found in Cathedral Square (Doma laukums) in the Latvian capital during the reconstruction of a heating main. Ivo Valdovskis, a representative of the heat supplier AS Rīgas siltums, told the news agency LETA. The finds offer a glimpse of how townspeople lived in the late Middle Ages and the early modern period.

What was found

Valdovskis explained that archaeological supervision of the works exposed a small, previously unexcavated section of the archaeological cultural layer. It contained fragments of a clay tripod cooking pot with yellow glaze on the inside, as well as shards of stoneware vessels imported from German lands. These are linked to white Siegburg stoneware cups and brown salt-glazed jugs from the Cologne-Frechen area.

According to the company representative, the items point to food preparation and table culture, as well as to Riga's trade connections. The finds mainly date to the 16th–17th centuries.

The company stresses that the discovery shows untouched cultural layer sections may survive in Old Riga even near previously built utilities. Even in a small area, they can yield valuable information about the city's past.

Heating network rebuild

Rīgas siltums began rebuilding the heating networks in Cathedral Square on 7 September. The replacement of pipes that have served for more than 50 years is expected to improve heat supply security and reduce heat losses.

About the company

Rīgas siltums is one of the main heat suppliers in Riga. The Riga City Council owns 49% of its capital, the Latvian state 48.99%, SIA Enerģijas risinājumi. RIX 2%, and Latvenergo 0.005%. In the first half of its financial year, from 1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026, the group's turnover was 208.386 million euros, up 10.1% year on year. Group profit rose 20.6% to 40.254 million euros.