The uncovered historic cobblestone dates back about 200 years.
The 19th-century paving hasn't been marked in the roadworks project. Finding it was a surprise to both the builders and the city's management. An eyewitness believes that without his intervention, the paving would have already been removed.
“The speed at which they began to tear it…. Here the “bobcat” has about a 10-minute job to rip it apart,” eyewitness Juris Millers said.
“The cobblestone at this stretch of the street, as at the former old gates, was created for donor money shortly after 1825,” said Millers.
The works were suspended. Experts from the National Heritage Board came to confirm the historic importance of the cobblestone on the ground and concluded that this cobblestone is of historic value.
“At the moment, we see that it is in a very good state. Well, of course, it needs to be repaired, but it's not dug up or damaged otherwise. As a result, the government certainly wants it saved,” said Ieva Marta, head of the regional division of the National Heritage Board.
It is possible that the cobblestone stretches a long distance on the Klusā Street.
The decision on what to do with it should be taken immediately, since the delay in the works could inconvenience the traffic organization during the Song and Dance festival.
“We plan to perform a 3D scan in the near future. After a 3D scan and a permit from the Heritage Board, the plan is that this historic [paving] is removed and stored, and at the time of street reconstruction, we will again, in consultation with the board, develop a project that will probably include replacing of this historic paving throughout the street. But it will be a separate project,” said the Rīga City Council Transport Department's director, Jānis Vaivods.
