Riga Museums

Museums in Riga, Latvia

Riga is a city of many names - city of parks, city of Art Deco, the city of inspirations. But you can add another name to this list - a city of museums. With over 50 museums, scattered over the capital of Latvia, it's a city of museums indeed. We have put together a short list of museums to visit when in Riga.

National History Museum of Latvia

The National History Museum of Latvia is the largest repository of Latvian material culture. The Museum’s permanent exposition of Latvian history reflects the history of Latvia until 1940.  Separate exhibitions explore particular themes of Latvian history in more detail.

Source: National History Museum of Latvia website

Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia

Founded in 1924, the Latvian Ethnographic Museum is one of the oldest open-air museums in Europe. Historical dwellings, peasants', fishermen's and artisans' homesteads, a tavern and windmills have been gathered here from all over Latvia. Masters of 18 different crafts demonstrate their work: spoon-carvers, bee-keepers, potters and others. Services are held at Usma Church every Sunday. The organ and folk music concerts and regular craft fairs that take place in the summer time are not to be missed. The collection contains 100 000 items.

Source: Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia website

Occupation Museum of Latvia

The Museum's goal is to portray life during the three occupation periods suffered by Latvia and Latvians. The items of the exhibition tell about Latvia during the fifty+ year-long subjugation: about power politics, about Soviet and Nazi terror, about the destruction of Latvia's economy, about Soviet and Nazi totalitarian ideologies, about the opposition to the regimes, and finally how Latvians regained their freedom in 1991. There is also a virtual tour available on the Museum’s website.

Source: Occupation Museum of Latvia website

Riga Motor Museum

Riga Motor Museum is the biggest antique vehicle museum in the Baltic countries. It has gained acknowledgement in Europe and in the whole world. The exposition of the museum is dedicated to the historical development of cars, motorbikes and bicycles, there are more than 200 exhibits.

Source: Riga Motor Museum website

Museum of Foreign Art

The Museum of Foreign Art has established the greatest collection of foreign art in all of Latvia covering a period which begins in the 5th millennium before the birth of Christ and ends at the beginning of the 20th century. The collection includes several basic groups of art – the art of Ancient Egypt, the art of the Far East, and the art of Western Europe.

Source: Museum of Foreign Art website

Mentzendorff’s House

The Mentzendorff's House – a branch of the Riga Museum of History and Navigation – brings you in the cosy atmosphere of the 17 th –18 th century dwelling house. Having been opened since May 18, 1992, it is the only museum presenting social culture traditions of wealthy Rigans.

Source: Mentzendorff's House

Krisjanis Barons Museum

Pictured on the 100Ls banknote, Barons is one of the most revered men in Latvian history. He is known for his work as a folklorist. Krisjanis Barons Museum is hosted in his former appartment where the permanent exhibition displays photographs, manuscripts and original furniture from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Source: Krisjanis Barons Museum website

Firefighting Museum of Latvia

Latvia Firefighting museum was opened in 1980 and is located in three stories in one of the part of building. This unusual museum offers visitors the opportunity to explore the fascinating history of firefighting in Latvia. The museum is divided into small halls, where is exhibited large collection of fire equipment, fire hand pumps, steam pumps, fire engines, medals, insignia etc...

Source: Firefighting Museum of Latvia website

Museum of Decorative Arts and Design

The Museum is situated in the former St. George’s Church (1204), the oldest surviving stone building in Riga. Explore Latvian tapestries, woodcuttings and porcelain surrounded by the impressive 17th century woodwork and white dolomite walls.

Source: Museum of Decorative Arts and Design website

Riga Zoo

The Riga Zoo’s history dates back nearly 100 years. Walk its spacious grounds and learn about animals from 475 different species. Guided tours are available. For schoolchildren, there are interesting activities in the “Zoo Class”, which supplements traditional curricula. There are horseback rides available both within the zoo and outside of it.

Source: Riga Zoo website