Museums in Riga: how Latvians preserve history? Reviews of tourists

Riga is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Baltics. It represents a vivid historical example in the epicenter of modern civilization with a rich collection of medieval facades and green parks.

Museums of Riga

In the capital of Latvia there is a strong concentration of various and equally unique museum and exhibition complexes. The most visited are the following Riga museums:

• History of medicine, nature, railway;
• Artistic, ethnographic;
• Aviation, shipping;
• Fire fighting, water supply;
• Botanical Garden;
• A bicycle museum;
• Memorial house-exposition and fairy-tale park in the Tervet forest.

Museums of Riga, in which historical values and paintings of famous masters are represented, are actively visited by guests of the city, excursion groups, local residents. And after returning home in their reviews, tourists share their emotions and vivid impressions.

About the Powder Tower

One of the city's attractions is the Powder Tower, which is a protective structure from the attack of possible enemies from the main entrance.

The tower 26 meters high, about 20 meters in diameter and 3 meters thick by walls, was named for the reason of the historical storage of huge explosive charges there. A unique feature of this structure is the unusual entrance. To get into the tower earlier it was possible only on the staircase attached to the doorway. The hole was at a height of five meters from the ground.

In the famous tower once housed a hall for fencing, a dance floor and even a student's pub. At the moment, here is the Military Museum of the city, offering visitors a rich exposition of modern weapons.

The Powder Tower on its territory contains a lot of underground bunkers, considered old custodians of various historical documents of a special state importance of Latvia. These shelters were once a safe place to shelter the city's gold reserves from plunder.

Riga Ethnographic Museum

Near the center of Riga is one of the oldest European ethnographic museums. There is a huge collection of various economic and residential buildings from all over the country.

The museum differs in that it is located in a beautiful forest park area under the open sky and allows visitors to not only get acquainted with the old way of life and economy of the old Riga, but also become a participant of colorful theatrical performances, exhibitions and annual fairs. There local craftsmen bring textile, ceramic and wicker handmade goods. They can become great gifts and souvenirs for friends and family.

In summer, on the museum territory, you can take a leisurely stroll along the shore of Lake Jugla and visit the ancient church, which provides an opportunity for couples in love to order a memorable wedding ceremony in a historical place. At this time of year, organ and folk music concerts are held in the exhibition halls.

In winter, those who visit the ethnographic museum, Riga amicably gives sledding, ice fishing and the minimum extreme descent on skis on the existing high hills.

In the small territory of the complex there is an old "pillar" mill of the XIX century, a cozy bathhouse, as well as several building structures that make up a fully equipped fishing village with all necessary household items and tools.

History of Riga and navigation

The oldest museum complex is not only the capital of Latvia, but the whole of Europe, it is considered a museum of the history of Riga and navigation. The building of the XVIII century is made in the classical architectural style of the Enlightenment.

The museum consists of three branches:

• The building of the seaworthy school in Ainazi;
• House-museum of Mencendorff;
• Museum of photography of Latvia.

The name of the Ainazh School is that it was there that in the middle of the 19th century a new system of training in seaworthy art was tested. To him, 18 merchant ships were assigned, intended for mastering the practical component of the cadets in the new program of studies.

The museum presents an impressive collection of more than half a million exhibits of numismatics and archeology. In addition, you can explore the history of navigation, see the photos of the best graduates who have received diplomas.

Reviews of tourists about the museums of Riga

Anyone who has ever visited the main museums in Riga responds only with a positive side. Most of all the bright reviews about the ethnographic complex of the city. The historical collections presented there are described very vividly and brightly! According to tourists' reviews, interesting excursions to the remarkable places of the city are complemented by delicious and inexpensive national cuisine.