House of the Blackheads, Riga

Name: House of the Blackheads
Address: Ratslaukums 7, Riga, 1050, Latvia
Telephone: +371 67 043 678

#27 among attractions in Riga

Architecture, Vernacular architecture, Museum, Historical place

Gallery (7)

Map

Gallery

Photo details 1. Wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Diliff / URL • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Paris 16 / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Pierre André Leclercq / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Diliff / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Zairon / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / File Upload Bot (Magnus Manske) / URL • 7. En.wikipedia.org / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Diliff / URL

Facts and practical information

The House of the Blackheads, nestled in the heart of Riga, Latvia, is a historical gem and a stunning example of Gothic architecture blended with elements of Dutch Renaissance. This ornate building, which originally dates back to the 14th century, was a guildhall for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, an association of unmarried merchants, shipowners, and foreigners in Riga.

The House of the Blackheads is renowned for its richly decorated façade, which features sculptures, reliefs, and a striking Dutch Renaissance gable. The building's name is derived from St. Mauritius, the black patron saint depicted in the guild's coat of arms. Over the centuries, the House of the Blackheads has played a significant role in the social life of Riga, serving as a venue for meetings, banquets, and ceremonies.

During World War II, the original structure suffered extensive damage, but it was meticulously reconstructed in the 1990s, with great attention to historical detail. The reconstruction efforts restored the building's former glory, making it once again a prominent sight in Riga's Old Town.

Today, the House of the Blackheads is open to the public and serves as a museum and cultural venue. Visitors can explore the grandeur of its historical halls, admire the intricate interior decorations, and learn about the rich history of the Brotherhood of Blackheads and the building itself.

Local name: Melngalvju nams Architectural style: BaroqueCoordinates: 56°56'50"N, 24°6'24"E

Address

Ratslaukums 7Centra (Vecpilsēta)Riga 1050 Latvia

Contact

+371 67 043 678

Website

Social media

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Riga

Day trips

House of the Blackheads – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: St. Peter's Church, Triangula Bastion, Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation, Riga Cathedral pipe organ.

~400 ftNE
Medieval church with a high steeple
St. Peter's Church, Riga
2 min walk • St. Peter's Church, with its towering spire piercing the skyline, stands as an architectural marvel in the heart of Riga, Latvia. This Gothic-style church, originally built in 1209, has been a dominant fixture of Riga's cityscape for centuries and is now one of its...
~790 ftNW
Modernist architecture
Triangula Bastion, Riga
4 min walk • The Triangula Bastion is a historic fortification in the heart of Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Nestled on the eastern side of the city, near the mouth of the River Daugava, this bastion is a testament to Riga's rich military history and architectural prowess.
~930 ftNW
Museum, History museum, Specialty museum
Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation, Riga
5 min walk • Steeped in centuries of maritime and urban history, the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation is a cultural treasure nestled in the heart of Riga, Latvia. As one of the oldest and richest museums in the Baltic States, it serves as a testament to Riga's storied...
~980 ftN
Square
Riga Cathedral pipe organ, Riga
5 min walk • The Riga Cathedral pipe organ is a magnificent instrument and a historic treasure nestled within the walls of the Riga Cathedral in Riga, Latvia. Known for its remarkable size and intricate craftsmanship, the organ was constructed in the late 19th century and has since...
~240 ftNW
Lutheran church dating from 13th century
Riga Cathedral, Riga
2 min walk • The Riga Cathedral, also known as the Dome Cathedral, stands as a monumental piece of history in the heart of Riga, Latvia. This magnificent church, with its towering presence, is not only the largest medieval church in the Baltic states but also a pivotal symbol of...
~780 ftE
13th-century church in the Gothic style
St. John's Church, Riga
4 min walk • St. John's Church stands as a beacon of historical and architectural significance in the heart of Riga, Latvia. This medieval church, with its origins tracing back to the 13th century, is a testament to the city's rich past and devotion to spiritual life.
~90 ftSW
Museum, History museum
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, Riga
1 min walk • The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia is a museum and historic educational institution located in Riga, Latvia.
~890 ftNE
Concerts and shows, Theater
Russian Theatre, Riga
5 min walk • The Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre, colloquially referred to as the Russian Theatre or the RRT, is a Russian-language theatre in Riga, Latvia. It is located on 16 Kaļķu iela, Riga.
~980 ftSE
Museum, Specialty museum, History museum
Riga Film Museum, Riga
5 min walk • Riga Film Museum is the only museum of its kind in Latvia. It holds various exhibitions that display different aspects of cinema art, actors and film history.
~620 ftNE
Museum, Art museum
Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, Riga
3 min walk • The Latvian Museum of Decorative Arts and Design is an arts museum in Riga, Latvia. The museum was established on 1 January 1989 and opened to the public on 6 July 1989. It is located in the former church St. George's Church, Riga, the oldest surviving stone building in Riga.
~1010 ftN
Theater, Architecture, Concerts and shows
Riga Merchant Guild, Riga
5 min walk • The Riga Merchant Guild, also known as the Large Guild of Riga or St. Mary's Guild was a German Merchant guild in Riga, the Latvian capital, which existed from 1354 to 1936. A precursor, the Heilig-Kreuz-Gilde was founded around 1252.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When is House of the Blackheads open?

House of the Blackheads is open:

Monday closed
Tuesday 11 am - 6 pm
Wednesday 11 am - 6 pm
Thursday 11 am - 6 pm
Friday 11 am - 6 pm
Saturday 11 am - 6 pm
Sunday 11 am - 6 pm

Which popular attractions are close to House of the Blackheads?

Nearby attractions include Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, Riga (1 min walk), Gallery Makslas Banka, Riga (1 min walk), Latviešu strēlnieku piemineklis, Riga (2 min walk), Kaļķu iela, Riga (2 min walk).

How to get to House of the Blackheads by public transport?

The nearest stations to House of the Blackheads:

Trolleybus

Grēcinieku iela • Lines: 27, 9 (3 min walk)
11. novembra krastmala • Lines: 27, 9 (3 min walk)

Bus

Grēcinieku iela • Lines: 22, 322 (3 min walk)
11. novembra krastmala • Lines: 10, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 3, 32, 322, 338, 344, 346, 363, 370, 371, 38, 39, 4, 43, 54, 55, 7, 8 (3 min walk)

Tram

Grēcinieku iela • Lines: 1, 10, 2, 5 (3 min walk)
13. janvāra iela • Lines: 10, 2, 5 (7 min walk)

Train

Rīga-Pasažieru (16 min walk)
Torņakalns (31 min walk)