Located in the Sarkandaugava neighbourhood of Riga, Dauderi is a branch of the Latvian National Museum of History and the only museum in this part of the city. Housed in a striking late 19th-century mansion surrounded by a historic park, the museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore Latvia’s cultural heritage beyond the city centre.
Combining impressive architecture with fascinating collections, Dauderi tells the story of Latvia’s first period of independence and the cultural legacy preserved by Latvians in exile.
A mansion with a remarkable history
Built in 1898, Dauderi was originally the family residence of Adolf von Bingner, owner of the Waldschlössen brewery. The red-brick mansion is of pronounced Eclecticism with German Neo-Romantic influences, featuring decorative towers, columns and richly detailed façades.
The surrounding park was designed by Riga's then-main garden architect Georg Kuphaldt. It includes a pond and artificial castle ruins, creating a picturesque setting that complements the historic building.
From presidential residence to museum
Over the years, the mansion has served many purposes. It later became the property of the Latvian Credit Bank and was offered as a summer residence to Kārlis Ulmanis, President of Latvia during the interwar period.
During the Soviet era, the building housed a kindergarten, a fish processing facility and a tasting hall. Despite these changes and years of neglect, many original interior details, including fireplaces, wooden wall panels and ceiling paintings, have survived.
Collections and exhibitions
Since opening as a museum in 1990, Dauderi has been the home to the extensive collection donated by Latvian exile Gaidis Graudiņš.
The collection includes numismatics, military uniforms, decorations, jewellery, traditional costumes, works of art, books and archival materials. Together, these objects offer valuable insight into Latvia’s cultural history, the first period of independence and the experiences of Latvian exiles abroad.
Visitors can explore exhibitions dedicated to national identity, historical memory and the contributions of Latvian exiles to preserving the country's cultural heritage.
Why visit
A visit to Dauderi offers the chance to discover a different side of Riga. As the museum is housed in a striking late 19th-century mansion in the Sarkandaugava neighbourhood and surrounded by a scenic park, it offers a unique combination of architecture, landscaped gardens and exhibitions exploring Latvia’s cultural heritage.
Historical highlight
Built in 1898 as the family residence of brewery owner Adolf von Bingner, Dauderi is one of Riga’s finest examples of eclecticism architecture. Its distinctive red-brick façade, decorative towers and elegant interiors reflect the prosperity of Riga at the turn of the 20th century.
Over the years, the mansion has witnessed many chapters of Latvian history, including serving as a summer residence for Latvian President Kārlis Ulmanis during the interwar period.
How to get there
Dauderi is located in the Sarkandaugava neighbourhood, approximately 7 kilometres north of Riga’s city centre. The museum is easy to reach by public transport. Trams 5 and 8 stop at “Aldaris”, while buses 2, 11, 24 and 58 stop at “Muzejs Dauderi”. Visitors can also take a train from Riga Central Station to the “Dauderi” stop.