Saint Meinrad is a small island located within the city of ikšķile. The ikšķile city is located in the West of Ogre district, about 30 km from Riga.

In 1966-1974 years after the construction of the Riga hydroelectric power station, the island of St. meinard was born. Before this land was situated on the banks of the Daugava.
Despite the fact that the island is quite small and almost artificial, it has considerable historical significance. On it are the ruins of the first Christian Church built in 1184, the first preacher and Bishop Latianara. In ikšķile Canon Sibirskogo monastery of the Augustinian Meinhard (in Latvian his name began to be pronounced as Maynard) founded the first Christian mission. It is believed that thanks to Maynard, Latvia became a Christian.

The Church was the first religious edifice of stone (dolomite) in Latvia. Also in the building was used in red brick. The vaults of the temple were covered with plaster, and now the remaining parts of the walls covered with cement to protect it from external environmental conditions. Complete renovation and rebuilding of the Church were carried out in 1879-1881. In 1916 the Church was destroyed by artillery fire. Most likely, it was destroyed by the Germans, fearing that his way may be organized supervision and regulation of the Latvian fire arrows. The surviving part of the Church was one of the 2 rooms. The second hall is completely destroyed.

In 1974, after the construction of the Riga hydroelectric power station from the walls of the temple on the surface leaving only the upper part. On the ruins of the Church with a metal roof. Near the temple hid flooded Riga reservoir ruins of the first stone castle built for defense missions and baptized Liv from the attacks of the pagans. Thus, the base of the island was a mound that was created during the construction of the castle.

Saint meinard – famous among pilgrims from Latvia and other countries. Day of the Holy Maynard is celebrated on August 14. In honor of the Saint on the island took place the opening ceremony on the first Sunday after August 15. Going on holiday a large number of people not only from Latvia but also from neighbouring countries.

In August, the reservoir water down for a week, so pilgrims to the island can be reached by walking along the former road was flooded by the reservoir) along which preserved stumps once the existing alley. In the rest of the year on the island are ferried by boat.

On the shore near the island of St. meinard erected a memorial stone with the name of the city ikšķile in Latvian, Livonian and German. Also here the idea of the artist E. Simovich installed ten metal cross, and the intention of the sculptor J. Carolus stone altar. Given the opportunity to arrange for the sacrament of marriage, of baptism.