Museums in Riga offer deeper insight into the history, culture, and experiences of Jews in Latvia across different periods. They serve as important centres of memory and learning, presenting everyday life, personal stories, and authentic testimonies alongside the tragic events of the 20th century. Visiting these museums provides a meaningful way to better understand Jewish cultural heritage in Latvia and its significance in contemporary society.
Museum “Jews in Latvia”
The Museum “Jews in Latvia” is one of the key centres for exploring Jewish history and culture in Latvia. It was founded in 1989 by a group of Holocaust survivors, led by historian Margers Vestermanis, with the aim of preserving and passing on evidence of Jewish life in Latvia to future generations.
Located in the building of the Riga Jewish Community, the museum features a comprehensive permanent exhibition covering Jewish history in Latvia from the 16th century to the end of World War II. The exhibition highlights everyday life, traditions, social and cultural activities, as well as the community’s contribution to Latvia’s development. A significant section is dedicated to the tragedy of the Holocaust and its consequences.
The museum’s collection is diverse and continues to grow благодаря public involvement and contributions from private archives. It serves not only as a repository of historical evidence but also as a space for education and dialogue, fostering understanding of Latvia’s diverse society and the importance of Jewish cultural heritage.
- Address:
- Skolas iela 6
Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum
The Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum is located in the Spīķeri district, next to the historic Moscow Suburb - the area where the Riga Ghetto was established during World War II. This part of the city is unique for its largely preserved historical layout, offering visitors an authentic sense of place.
Opened in 2010, the museum serves as both a memorial to Holocaust victims and an educational centre. Its grounds feature a memorial wall listing the names of more than 70,000 Latvian Jews who perished in the Holocaust, as well as Jews deported from other European countries.
The exhibitions explore not only the tragedy of the Holocaust but also Jewish life in Latvia before the war - including traditions, education, and contributions to cultural and public life. The museum is both a place of remembrance and a space for learning and reflection, encouraging dialogue about history, humanity, and tolerance.
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- Lastādijas iela 14A
The Žanis Lipke Memorial
The Žanis Lipke Memorial, located in Ķīpsala, is one of the most powerful remembrance sites in Riga, dedicated to courage and humanity during World War II. It honors Žanis Lipke, a local resident who, risking his own life and that of his family, rescued more than 50 Jews by hiding them in a specially built bunker on his property.
The memorial is set within the quiet wooden architecture of Ķīpsala, near the Daugava River, and stands out for its symbolic and thoughtful design. The dark, minimalist structure resembles an overturned boat - a metaphor for a rescuer carrying people to safety. Inside, the space is designed to create an emotional connection with the past, using narrow passages, subdued lighting, and wooden elements to evoke the atmosphere of the time.
At the heart of the exhibition is a reconstructed bunker, reflecting the conditions in which those rescued had to live. The memorial also tells the personal stories of Žanis Lipke and the people he saved, highlighting acts of courage, compassion, and moral choice during the war.
More than a historical site, the memorial is a place for reflection on humanity, responsibility, and the values that remain relevant today.
- Address:
- Mazais Balasta dambis 9
