Convent Courtyard (Riga)

 store / shop, hotel, cafe, pedestrian area, souvenir shop, courtyard, interesting place, invisible, listed building / architectural heritage, historic district

Konventa Sēta, which lies between Skārņu street and Kalēju street, was first mentioned in the 13th century when it was a fortified area, protecting the Sword Brothers. When the Brothers moved to their new castle, the building was converted into an almshouse and convent.
The monks of the convent, however, were not popular. On Good Friday 1523, when they made their annual grand procession through the city and suburbs, the good citizens locked the city gates and would not let the clerics back in. The poor monks were compelled to walk to the archbishop's residence some 100 kilometres away to find shelter.
The books that the monks had left behind were collected and became the basis for the first Riga library, while the buildings were rented; first as stables and then as a store for ammunition.
The area was renovated in the 1990s and now is a peaceful oasis in the busy life of the Old City.