Several museums in Riga offer an insight into the history, culture and experiences of Latvia’s Jewish community throughout different periods. These museums serve as important centres of remembrance and education. Through exhibitions, personal stories and authentic historical testimonies, they explore both the everyday life of the Jewish community and the tragic events of the 20th century, including the Holocaust and the courage of those who risked their lives to save others. Visiting these museums provides a deeper understanding of Jewish cultural heritage in Latvia and its significance in contemporary society.
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.
Opening Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12–18
Wednesday: 12–18
Thursday: 12–18
Friday: 12–18
Saturday: 10–16
Sunday: Closed
- Address:
- Mazais Balasta dambis 9
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.
Opening Hours:
Monday: 10–18
Tuesday: 10–18
Wednesday: 10–18
Thursday: 10–18
Friday: 10–18
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 10–18
- Address:
- Lastādijas iela 14A
Museum “Jews in Latvia”
The Jews in Latvia Museum is one of Latvia’s most important centres for researching and preserving Jewish history and culture. Founded in 1989 by Holocaust survivors, with historian Marģers Vestermanis playing a leading role, the museum was established to preserve historical evidence of Jewish life in Latvia and pass this heritage on to future generations.
Located in the Riga Jewish Community Centre, the museum’s permanent exhibition explores the history of Jews in Latvia from the 16th century to the end of World War II. It highlights everyday life, traditions, social and cultural activities, and the Jewish community’s contributions to Latvia’s development. Special attention is devoted to the tragedy of the Holocaust and its lasting impact.
The museum houses a diverse and continuously growing collection of historical documents, artefacts, personal testimonies and private archives donated by the public. Beyond preserving Jewish heritage in Latvia, the Jews in Latvia Museum serves as an important centre for education and dialogue, fostering a deeper understanding of Latvia’s multicultural history and the significance of Jewish cultural heritage in contemporary society.
Working hours:
Monday: 11:00–17:00
Tuesday: 11:00–17:00
Wednesday: 11:00–17:00
Thursday: 11:00–17:00
Friday: 11:00–17:00
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: 11:00–17:00
- Address:
- Skolas iela 6
Museum of the Occupation of Latvia
The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, founded in 1993, explores Latvia’s history under three successive occupations between 1940 and 1991: the first Soviet occupation (1940–1941), Nazi German occupation (1941–1944), and second Soviet occupation (1944–1991). The Holocaust has been an integral part of the museum’s exhibitions and research since its establishment. During the Nazi occupation, approximately 73,000 Latvian Jews and a further 16,000 Jews deported to Latvia from other European countries were murdered.
The museum’s exhibition traces the Holocaust in Latvia step by step, from restrictions, registration and confiscation of property to forced isolation in ghettos and mass killings. It also examines how society responded to these events: the small number of rescuers who risked their lives to save others, the minority who participated in the crimes, and the majority who remained bystanders.
Since 2022, the museum’s permanent exhibition has been housed in its renovated building in Riflemen Square (Strēlnieku laukums), in the heart of Riga’s Old Town.
Opening hours:
Monday: 10–18
Tuesday: 10–18
Wednesday: 10–18
Thursday: 10–18
Friday: 10–18
Saturday: 10–18
Sunday: 10–18
- Address:
- Latviešu strēlnieku laukums 1
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