Great Guild


In the Middle Ages in the capital of Latvia there were guilds that united people of one profession. A large guild in Riga was called the guild of merchants. There was also the Small Guild - the guild of artisans. Guilds in Riga are long gone, but the buildings in which they were located, are now popular attractions.

History of the Big and Small Guilds of Riga

Since 1226 in Riga there was an association of citizens of German nationality - the so-called guild of the Holy Cross and the Trinity. In 1354, the guild divided into merchant and artisan. The association of merchants was called the guild of St. Mary, the association of artisans - the guild of St. John the Baptist, by the names of patrons of both estates. The "big" guild of merchants began to be called in the people because the merchants rebuilt a building larger than the craftsmen.

A large guild monopolized trade flows and assumed the function of an intermediary between foreign traders. The small guild also was a monopolist in its field: a craftsman who was not a member of the guild, could not even get the rank of a craftsman.

In this form, the Great and Small Guilds existed until the late 1930s. In the last decades of their existence, however, they have lost their former role and status, now playing the role of clubs that unite rich Baltic Germans.

Modern building guilds

Unfortunately, the first buildings of guilds - the very ones where they made deals, held meetings, arranged festivities, - have not survived to the present day. Only in the basement of the Great Guild remained a fragment of a medieval stone wall with a column.

The modern building of the Great Guild dates from 1854-1857. buildings, Malaya - 1864-1866 years.

Since the end of World War II, the building of the Great Guild has been owned by the Latvian State Philharmonic. The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra performs here, classical and modern music concerts are held regularly. In the building of the Small Guild there is a museum and a school of artisans. They also give concerts, organize cultural events.

It is worth getting on an excursion to both guilds to see the magnificent interiors of the premises: stained-glass windows, mosaics made in the XVII century. chandeliers, spiral staircases.

How to get there?

The Great and the Small Guilds are in the center of the Old Town , on the street. Amatu, across the street from each other.

The movement of public transport on the territory of the Old City is closed, so from other areas you will have to stop outside. A tourist who has just arrived in Riga will get to the guilds without much difficulty.

  1. From the bus station and the railway station Riga- Pasajieru to the Great and the Small Guilds you can walk for 12-15 minutes. The way will pass past the sights of the Old City, so do not give up such a walk.
  2. From Riga International Airport, there is a bus no. 22. You should get off at the "11 November Naberezhnaya" stop. The bus departs every 20 minutes. and it takes about half an hour. From the "Embankment 11 November" to both guilds will take 7-9 minutes. on foot.