History Museums

The Museum exposition reveals Latvia’s military political history with a special emphasis on the 20th century, a period during which the Latvian people had to fight to gain their independence on two occasions.

The Museum reveals Latvia's history from 1940 until 1991, when occupations by both the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany were experienced.

The Corner House, a project by the Occupation Museum, provides the opportunity for the wider public to gain insight into the former KGB, or ‘Cheka’, headquarters in Riga by preparing an exhibition on the institution’s operation in Latvia and a tour of the building.

The Mentzendorff House, with its 17th–18th century atmosphere, is the only museum of its kind in the Baltics. The museum introduces visitors to the traditions of a wealthy Rigan’s household.

To the spring 2025, the museum offers the opportunity to explore the grandest rooms of the restored castle: the vaulted cellars, the chapel, the former dining hall and the Lead Tower. Visitors can find their way around the castle by following a route of the castle's points of interest, visiting the exhibition of discoveries called Lost and Found, as well as the photo exhibition Then and Now. There will also be a program of educational and cultural events.

The Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum is one of the oldest open-air museums in Europe. Now its territory covers 87.66 hectares of forest on the banks of Lake Jugla. The museum displays 118 historic buildings from all Latvian regions - Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Zemgale and Latgale dating from the 17th century to the beginning of 1930s.

The Popular Front Museum is a modern history archive with specific documents and display items, reflecting the Latvian people's struggle for liberty at the end of the 20th century, to be known forever as the third Period of Reawakening or the Singing Revolution.

This is the oldest public museum in Latvia and one of the oldest in Europe, the origin of which dates back to 1773. The Museum's 16 exposition halls tell of the creation and development of Riga over more than 800 years, as well as shipping in the territory of Latvia from the 10th century until today.

"Dauderi" house, which belongs to the National History Museum of Latvia, is located in one of Rīga's neighbourhoods - Sarkandaugava. It was opened in 1990 and is the only museum in this area.