Riga Castle, on Pils laukums at the Daugava end of Old Riga, is the official residence of the President of Latvia and home to the Latvian National Museum of History. Founded by the Livonian Order in the 14th century and rebuilt by 1515, it draws travelers who want to see where medieval power and modern statehood share the same walls (source: latvia.travel).
Thick defensive towers rise beside later classical façades facing the square, reflecting centuries of rebuilding. The museum, here since 1920, occupies the reconstructed wing of the castle’s oldest section. Its entrance is on Daugavas gāte. After a 2013 fire and years of restoration, the museum reopened in 2024 with exhibitions, educational programs, and concerts (sources: LNVM, MeetRiga).
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
The presidential premises open to individuals only on dates the Chancery announces in advance. Groups book a slot that fits around the President’s schedule, so check president.lv early. The museum keeps its own hours, and its cash desk closes 30 minutes before the museum does (source: LNVM). Weekday mornings outside the June–August peak are quieter. Afterward, walk five minutes to Riga Cathedral and the Three Brothers houses, or stroll the Daugava embankment beside the castle.
