Riga Castle

Riga Castle in the Latvian capital is now the official seat of the country's president and an important historic landmark of the city. Its history goes back to the 13th century, when the Livonian Brothers of the Sword built a fortress for their order on this site. After destruction and political conflicts between the city and the order, the complex was rebuilt in the 14th century on the northwest corner of the city center. The original fortress was surrounded by a moat and had a four-towered structure in the convent-house style. Over the centuries, the building served various rulers, was remodeled in the 18th and 19th centuries for the provincial government, and was known as the Palace of Pioneers during the Soviet era.

Inside the castle, traces of the late Gothic architecture are still preserved, above all in the chapel and the refectory, while most of the other medieval rooms were converted into offices by later alterations. An essential part of the complex is the Latvian History Museum, which opened in 1991 after the country regained its independence. The collection now comprises one million objects documenting the development of the country. After a severe fire in 2013 that badly damaged the building, the castle underwent extensive renovation. The museum wing was spared by the flames, but had to be vacated for a long time. The museum is scheduled to reopen in the historic part of the castle in spring 2026, so visitors will once again be able to experience Latvia's rich history in the restored rooms.