Here is a list of 10 interesting and may be even unusual historical museums in Riga, that I would recommend everyone to visit.
1. Zanis Lipke Memorial
Zanis Lipke is a Latvian Schindler. During World War II, he saved more than 50 Jews by hiding them in the basement of his barn. In the museum, you can see in what conditions lived the ghetto residents rescued by Lipke.
Working hours: Tuesday – Wednesday: 12:00 – 18:00. Thursday: 12:00 – 20:00. Friday: 12:00 – 18:00. Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00
Adress: Mazais Balasta dambis 9
Website: http://www.lipke.lv/en
2. Art Nouveau Museum
The Riga Art Nouveau Museum is located on the most beautiful street in Riga. Albert Street can be safely called an open-air museum of Art Nouveau. Entering the museum, you find yourself in an apartment from the beginning of the 20th century, you will find out how lived people of that time. The exposition consists of both household items and clothes, as well as multimedia sketches and interactive games.
On the top floor of the same house, there is another museum in an Art Nouveau apartment – the Museum of Janis Rosenthal and Rudolf Blaumanis.
Working hours: Tuesday – Sunday 10:00-18:00
Adress: Alberta iela, 12
Website: http://jugendstils.riga.lv/eng/
3. Riga Fashion Museum
The Fashion Museum was created with the support of the famous fashion historian – Alexander Vasiliev. The exhibition is updated every 6 months. The exposition is completed by printed and photo materials, light, and sound. In the museum, visitors can try on historical outfits, and learn what a crinoline and other historical dress items are.
Working hours: ежедневно 11:00-18:00
Adress: Grēcinieku, 24-1
Website: https://www.fashionmuseumriga.lv/eng/
4. Mencendorfa nams
Pre-revolutionary Riga is known more like a merchant city. Mentsendorf’s House – is the house of a rich Riga merchant that was built in the late 17th century. Museum visitors can get to know how looked like a basic merchant facility until the 1939th. The building has 3 parts: living rooms, warehouse and store.
Working hours: Wednesday – Sunday 11:00-18:00
Adress: 18 Grēcinieku iela, Rīga
Website: http://www.rigamuz.lv/mn/en/
5. Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
The Museum of Occupation tells about the most controversial period in the history of Latvia from 1940 to 1991 when the country was alternately under the conditions of German and Russian occupation. The museum exposition tells how the totalitarian regime affected Latvia and its people.
Working hours: daily 11:00-18:00
Adress: 7 Raiņa bulvāris, Rīga
Website: http://okupacijasmuzejs.lv/en/
6. The KGB Museum
The KGB Museum is a part of the LatvianMuseum of Occupation, it is dedicated to the work of the KGB in Latvia. The exposition includes creepy cellars with prisoners’ cells, walkways, and interrogation rooms.
Working hours: ежедневно 10:30-17:30
Adress: Brīvības iela 61
Website: http://okupacijasmuzejs.lv/en/visit-us/exhibition-history-of-kgb-operations-in-latvia/
7. Riga Ghetto Museum
This is an open-air museum built on the border of the former Jewish ghetto. The exhibition consists of stands with the names of Latvian Jews – victims of the Holocaust, as well as photographic materials about the Holocaust in Latvia.
Working hours: Monday – Sunday 10:00 – 18:00. Saturday is the day off.
Adress: Maskavas iela, 14a
Website: https://www.liveriga.com/en/2823-riga-ghetto-museum
8. Popular Front Museum
In the Museum of the Popular Front, you can get acquainted with the latest history of Latvia. The Popular Front in Latvia was formed in the 80-90s. Its activity was pointed to the struggle for the independence of the state. Visitors can see the real historical documents and emotionally experience the events of those years through the interactive exhibition.
Working hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00-17:00
Adress: Vecpilsētas iela 13/15
Website: http://lnvm.lv/en/?page_id=831
9. The 1991 Barricades Museum
The museum has collected information about the events of 1991 in Latvia, it tells about how the Republic of Latvia was created. Within one day, on the streets of Riga appeared barricades and the city was full of protesters.
Working hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00 – 17:00. Saturday: 11:00-17:00
Adress: Krāmu iela 3
Website: http://barikades.lv/en/
10. The ethnographic open-air museum of Latvia
It is one of the oldest open-air museums in Europe. On an area of almost 90 hectares are installed real residential and farm buildings of peasants, artisans, and fishermen of the 17-20th century, which were brought from all over Latvia.
Working hours: daily 10.00 – 17.00.
Adress: Brīvdabas iela 21
Website: http://brivdabasmuzejs.lv/en/
Read next: The best of Riga. How to plan a Wonderfull weekend in Riga?
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