- Address: Smilšu iela 20, Rīga, LV-1050;
- Opened: in 1919;
- Phone: +371 67228147;
- Website: www.karamuzejs.lv;
- Opening Hours: Apr - Oct - Mon. - Sun. from 10:00 to 18:00, Nov - Mar - Mon. - Sun. from 10:00 to 17:00.
In Riga , a considerable number of historical buildings have survived, which once served as a defense of the city from the invasion of enemies. For example, the Powder Tower was part of the city's fortification, but now it serves more peaceful purposes. The interior is occupied by the Military Museum, which is very popular with tourists. Thus, two goals are immediately achieved: to see the medieval structure and to learn a lot of interesting and new information about the military history of Latvia .
History of the Museum
The military museum in the Powder Tower, Riga, appeared after the building was overhauled in 1892. He pushed aside the student entertainment center, which occupied several premises. In 1916, first opened the Museum of Latvian Rifle Regiments, it was the exhibits from this collection that started the collection of antiques, related to the military affairs of Latvia. The museum received its modern name three years later, in 1919, and the Military Museum of Latvia became known. When the place for expositions became scarce, a new building was added to the Powder Tower.
Military museum - description
The Military Museum in the Powder Tower, Riga, is the oldest and largest museum in Latvia, dedicated to the history of the armed forces of the country. To meet the curiosities can already be on the way to the building, next to it is placed the original sculpture, made in a modern way. She is a man sitting astride either on a horse or on a wolf.
Tourists are invited to get acquainted with how the military business arose, learn the way of its formation. The largest number of exhibits will tell you about the state of the armed forces in the 20th century. In total, the museum has 22 thematic collections, so that everyone can find and read exactly with that part of the military history that interests him the most. In fact, it's extremely difficult to get around and see about twenty-five thousand exhibits personally.
The schedule of the museum
Before visiting it is worth to familiarize yourself with the schedule of work, because it varies depending on the season. For example, in the summer, during active tourism, the Military Museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm every day, but from November to March inclusive moves to a reduced schedule - from 10 am to 5 pm. Visiting the museum is paid, but a unique collection of documents, photographs, orders and military forms is worth the asking price. If you want, you can hire a guide who speaks Russian or English. Payment for his services costs a little more than a tour in Latvian.
Where is the museum?
The Military Museum of Latvia is located in Riga on Peschanaya street, 20. Nearby there are other unique monuments of antiquity, so visiting one building, it will be easy to get to another.