Riga Castle, the residence of Latvian presidents, will open its doors to all visitors on 14 May, between 15:00 and midnight, as part of the international culture event ‘European Night of Museums’. For the first time in the history of the event, visitors choosing to come to Riga Castle will be allowed to admire the gift room where president’s office keeps official gifts presented to different heads of state.
Visitors will have access to all official quarters of the Riga Castle located in its front part: Coats of Arms Hall, White Hall, Ambassador Accreditation Hall and Festival Hall, and many other areas, such as the Main Foyer, stairs, Green Hall and Blue Foyer, Riga Room, Dorothea’s Room and the office of the first President of Latvia Jānis Čakste. Sets of highest state decorations will also be put on display on the Long Night of Museums.
Riga Castle Long Night of Museums visitor programme includes various musical performances prepared by National Armed Forces and National Guard.
The theme of Riga Castle Long Night of Museums visitor programme is establishment of Latvian statehood hundred years ago after the victory in War of Independence when Constitutional Assembly was finally able to start building the institutional framework of the independent Latvia. Adoption of constitution, Satversme, and institutional framework began the development of Latvian State as a democracy. The first president of Constitutional Assembly, Jānis Čakste, also became the first president of the state and is considered one of the symbolic figures for Latvian statehood and democracy.
Riga Castle is a unique piece of Baltic heritage, which has embodied power for many centuries to become the symbol of our statehood a century ago. Presidents of Latvia who have resided in the Riga Castle before the first occupation of Latvia and after restoration of independence have all had significant impact on how Latvia developed as a state.
NB!: You will be required to go through a security check at the entrance into the Riga Castle. Please do not bring any huge bags, food, animals or metal objects with you. Given the enormous interest and limited capacity, please be advised that may be required to wait and stand in queue to get into the Riga Castle with other visitors.