Built as a museum in honour of the Latvian Red Riflemen (elite force assembled from Latvian WWI veterans for Lenin’s personal protection) in 1971 to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of Lenin, this building became a home for the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia in 1993. Exhibitions are dedicated to Nazi and Soviet occupations that Latvia lived through in the various periods of first and second half of modern history.
The museum’s stated mission is to:
“Show what happened in Latvia, its land and people under two occupying totalitarian regimes from 1940 to 1991;
“Remind the world of the crimes committed by foreign powers against the state and people of Latvia;
“Remember the victims of the occupation: those who perished, were persecuted, forcefully deported or fled the terror of the occupation regimes.” (The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, Occupation Museum Foundation, Riga (2005))
Various exhibits display the cruel acts committed against people of Latvia and the systematic destruction of their nation’s sovereignty. One of the most interesting ones are reconstructed “Gulag” barracks helping guests to visualise harsh living conditions in Siberian labour camps.
All exhibits are available in English, German, Latvian and Russian comments, English and Russian speaking guides and you can also go for an audio guide.
Address
Latviešu strēlnieku laukums 1
Rīga, LV-1050, Latvija
Contacts
Phone number: +371 6721 2715
Website: www.occupatlonmuseum.lv
Working Hours
Mon: Closed
Tue – Sun: 1100-17:00
Prices
Admission: donations
Audio guide: 2Ls
Photos: 2Ls