The Žanis Lipke Memorial in Rīga, Latvia

Tag : Atlas Obscura

The Memorial to Zanis Lipke and all Latvian saviours of the Jews

The Zanis Lipke Memorial sits next to the original site of Lipke's home, it was from this residence that he arranged shelter for rescued Jews. 

In 2007, a monument to Lipke and all the Latvian saviors of Jews was built next to a memorial previously constructed on the site of the Great Synagogue.

The monument is composed of a tilting white wall 39 feet (12 meters) long and 19 feet high (6 meters), which looks like it's falling. The memorial's columns are inscribed with the names of 20 people who are considered the saviors of Jews

Lipke personally managed to save more than 50 Jews and is portrayed in pride of place on the central column of the memorial.

A quote from the Book of Isaiah is visible on the left part of the monument. A student at the Art Academy of Latvia, Elīna Lazdiņa, designed the monument.

The monument was unveiled by Latvia's president Vaira Vike-Freiberga.