Located to the north of the town, near the north entrance to Salvatierra, the church of Santa María is a temple-fortress that once formed part of the wall. It was built between the late 15th and early 16th century on top of an earlier church, and has excellent stalls. It belongs to the late Gothic.The core is rectangular, with three naves. The central nave stands out, wider and taller than the rest.The sacristy is from the late 17th century, spacious, simple and with a beautiful balcony. The main entrance is Gothic, from the early 16th century, and is topped by a 17th century steeple.
Inside, the front of the wonderful, richly decorated Plateresque choir is dominated by a large crest of Emperor Charles V. The main altarpiece is a masterpiece by Renaissance artist Lope de Larrea.The church of Santa María also has outstanding images such as the Virgin of the Rosary, Mary Magdalene and Andra Mari de Sailurtegi. The organ is an outstanding piece from 1806, by Manuel Antonio de Carvajal.
References:House of the Blackheads (Melngalvju nams) is a building situated in the old town of Riga. The original building was erected during the first third of the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild for unmarried German merchants in Riga. Major works were done in the years 1580 and 1886, adding most of the ornaments.
The structure was bombed to a ruin by the Germans June 28, 1941 and the remains demolished by the Soviets in 1948. The current reconstruction was erected from 1995 to 1999. Today the House of Blackheads serves as a museum and sometimes concert hall.