This article explores an intriguing legend surrounding Kuldīga, Latvia, focusing on a girl named Katrīna who reportedly had a vision of constructing a church in the town. Despite her noble intentions and hard work to raise funds for the project, local authorities responded to her dream with hostility, ultimately leading to her tragic fate of execution. The narrative raises questions about the authenticity of such tales and how they may have evolved over time through various cultural influences and storytelling.

Following her death, Katrīna was posthumously declared innocent and later canonized, highlighting the complexities surrounding narratives of guilt and innocence in historical contexts. The church dedicated to her became a significant cultural artifact in Kuldīga, and her story remains a point of local pride. It serves to illustrate the historical role of women in cultural heritage and the impact of oral traditions in shaping local identity.

Today, St. Katrīna stands as a symbol of Kuldīga, with her church still recognized for its unique architecture and the story embedded in the city’s cultural fabric. This article, part of the Latvian Radio 3 series 'Did You Know?', delves into such interesting but often overlooked historical tales, inviting reflection on their implications for present-day understanding of local heritage.