Historical and old photos of Jaunjelgava (german - Friedrichstadt)

A small historical reference In the XIII century on the site of modern Jaunjelgava castle was destroyed by the Crusaders. Subsequently, there was formed a settlement, known as Serena Neyshtedthen (it. Neustadtchen, «The new town"), then Ney Mita (germ. Neu-Mitau, "New Mitau"). In 1590 it was officially recognized by the Duke of Courland Friedrich. In 1621 Jaunjelgava was destroyed during the Polish-Swedish war, but was rebuilt. In 1647, by decree of the widow of Friedrich Magdalena received the status of the city called Husum. He survived several floods, fires, and in 1831 and 1848 - a cholera epidemic. From 1795 to 1924 was the county town. In 1812, Napoleon's troops took the city. In 1861 it was opened Rigaud Dvina railway linking Riga and Dvinsk (Daugavpils), in connection with which the waterway on the River Daugava has lost its meaning. Date of foundation: History: Population: 2 245 Sights:
Bakery, owner with family, 1930	Catholic Church	City fountain	Friedrichstrasse - post office and colonial goods store, owned by Robert Wilkow
Greek Catholic Church	Jewish cemetery	Kurland-monument, 1916	Lutheran Church

Lutheran Church	Lutheran Church, Catholic Church and fontain, 1925	Main Street after the destruction	Panorama of the city
Panorama of the city	Panorama of the city	Panorama of the city	Panorama of the city

Panorama of the city	Ferry across Daugava river, 1933	After the second world war	Pier
City government	City government	Riga street, Mitau street and Lutheran Church	Technical School, 1914

History

There is no evidence that territory of a modern Jaunjelgava had been inhabited before 15th century. However a selonian Sērene hillfort existed 5 km. from the modern town. A country estate Vecsērene manor was established around 1450 not far from modern town. During the 15th century territory of the town was used as a place where merchants from Riga transported their goods from boats to carriages because, due to Daugava rapids, it was hard to navigate further downstream. As a result, a small port emerged.

In 1567 Duke of Courland and Semigallia Gotthard Kettler called the small port as Neustadt. In 1590 next Duke Friedrich Kettler founded the town market and granted village rights to Neustadt. At that time about 60 families lived at the town. The village was devastated in 1621, during the Polish-Swedish war, and was re-established as a town in 1646 when widow of the Friedrich Kettler Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania in honour of her husband gave new name to the town - Friedrichstadt. In 1647 king of Poland Władysław IV granted town rights and approved Coat of arms of Friedrichstadt. In 1652 lutheran church was built in the town by order of duke Jacob Kettler. Town saw rapid development in the second half of the 17th century when after Second Northern War town was important transport hub.

In 1710 the plague epidemic started. Also there was several large fires in the town during 18th century. Also great damage was inflicted by four big floods. Biggest of them was in 1778 when around 100 houses were destroyed. In 1795 Friedrichstadt as a part of Duchy Of Courland and Semigallia was incorporated into Russian Empire and became part of Courland Governorate. During 1812 Napaleon's invasion in Russia several small battles was fought around the town. In 1831 and 1848 cholera, raged. During first half of the 19th century town prospered thanks to merchant activities. Local inhabitants owned warehouses, taverns for rafters and was involved in transportation of goods by carriages to Jacobstadt. In 1820 there were 24 taverns in the town.

After the opening of the Riga-Daugavpils railway line in 1861, the Daugava River waterway, and thus the city, lost its importance. However in the late 19th century there were still around 10 banks and various insurance offices, 60 merchant enterprises, 23 industrial enterprises and a hospital in the town.

In 1909 telephone connection was established between Friedrichstadt, Riga and Jelgava. During Latvian War of Independence town was heavily damaged when after heavy fighting it was liberated by Latvian army from West Russian volunteer army. During Republic of Latvia town was renamed Jaunjelgava (literary: New Jelgava). In 1930s 3.5 km long and 3 m. high dam was constructed to protect town from floods.

Origin: en.wikipedia.org