- Address: Brīvības gatve 440, Vidzemes priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1024, Latvia;
- Opened: in 1932;
- Website: brivdabasmuzejs.lv;
- Phone: +371 67 994 106, +371 67994515;
- Working hours: every day from 10:00 to 17:00.
On the shore of Lake Juglas, just a few kilometers from the center of Riga , one of the oldest museums in Europe is located - the Latvian Open-Air Ethnographic Museum. It is also the largest museum of its kind, occupying over 80 hectares of land. Here are built buildings from all corners of the country, which in due time were used as a dwelling or in economic needs.
About the museum
The museum was built in Riga in 1924, but visitors entered this territory only in 1932, when its grand opening took place. Everyone who has ever walked through museum spaces will say that he did not feel the spirit of the museum, because he literally plunged into the world, which existed a couple of hundred years ago.
The open-air ethnographic museum in Riga is very different from its kind. This is due, first of all, to the fact that its exposition began to be formed in the pre-war period, and therefore most of the objects retained their original appearance. From all corners of Latvia in the museum were brought 118 old buildings, in which previously lived and worked peasants, fishermen and artisans. The buildings were sent to Riga from Kurzeme, Vidzeme, Latgale and Zemgale. Most of the exhibits were built in the 17th century.
What to do for tourists?
In the summer, a sightseeing tour of the museum can be made on foot or on a bicycle. Those who will be in the Ethnographic Museum in the open air during the snow season, will be able to walk around the countryside on skis, go sledging or try all the delights of ice fishing. The exhibition hall, located in the premises of the former barn, regularly updates the exposition. There are often held various events, exhibitions, celebrations and master classes, in which all the guests of the museum can participate. Traditionally, in June a fair is held on the territory of the museum.
In addition, tourists can:
- learn how in ancient times Latvians took baths, decorated their yards, weaved carpets and bedspreads, led everyday life;
- to get acquainted with the traditional Latvian farm, included in the cultural canon of the state;
- wander through different peasant and fishing yards, look at the tools of their labor, interiors of different periods and regions, compare the level of prosperity of the upper layers of the population of that time;
- visit the museum archive;
- try your hand at ancient crafts - to make something out of clay, to cast a coin or to try to weave a basket;
- to participate in one of the old street games;
- to attend a concert of organ music;
- buy original souvenirs made of genuine leather, amber and wood.
Information for tourists
- The museum works without days off from 10:00 to 20:00 in the summer season and from 10:00 to 17:00 in the winter season. It is worth noting that in winter tourists can visit only the Courtyard of the Kurzeme peasant and the Kurzeme village of fishermen, all other buildings for this period are closed.
- In the summer season, the cost of tickets increases and is 4 euros for adults, 1.4 euros for schoolchildren, 2 euros for students and 2.5 for pensioners. As for the family ticket, its cost in this period reaches a mark of 8.5 euros.
- After a walk through the territory of the museum, you can refresh yourself and restore your strength in the tavern located on the territory of the complex.
- In the souvenir shop you can buy unusual gifts made by local artisans.
How to get there?
The car to the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum can be reached on the A2 and E77 highway, moving in the direction of Riga-Pskov, or along the A1 and E67, if you go in the direction of Riga - Tallinn . As a guide, you can use Lake Juglas, beyond which the museum is located.
In addition, the buses go to the museum under numbers 1, 19, 28 and 29. To get to the museum, you will need to stand at the "Museum in the open air".
Fans of bicycle tours will be able to get to the museum by the cycle track Center - Bergi, which is 14 kilometers long. His two-wheeled comrades can be left on a free bicycle park, located directly in front of the museum entrance.