Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. Riga, Latvia

In the heart of Riga, on Latvian Riflemen’s Square, you will find the renovated “House of the Future” – the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia. This place is more than just an exhibition; it offers a deep dive into the history that unites all the Baltic countries. If you want to understand modern Latvia, its character, and its path to freedom, this museum is a must-see.

The museum has undergone extensive renovation and today it represents a modern space whose primary mission is to preserve the memory of those unjustly convicted, murdered and repressed, and to remind the world of crimes against humanity.

The main exhibition, entitled “Latvia under the Occupation of the Soviet Union and National Socialist Germany 1939–1991,” covers half a century of struggle and hope. Here, you can trace in detail the history of three occupations, the tragic cycle of regime changes from 1940 to 1991. Visitors will also learn true stories of deportations to the Gulag, of those who persevered, and of the heroic deeds of the Forest Brothers. This is an emotional journey through time, revealing the spiritual strength of the people that allowed them to regain independence and become a full-fledged part of modern Europe.

The museum offers audio guides in various European languages, including Lithuanian, Estonian, and English. You can embrace the history in your native language, immersing yourself in the details of each era.

In collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Latvia, an audio guide in Spanish was added on May 6. The audio guide is narrated by Ambassador Manuel Alhama Orenes himself.

The historical exhibits are complemented by modern interactive elements: visualizations, touchscreens, and multimedia installations. This allows visitors to engage with history by exploring maps, documents, and archival footage in a digital format.

The museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions. Until the end of July 2026, you can explore the unique exhibition “To Serve and to Believe,” dedicated to the repression of the church and believers. You’ll see handmade crosses, Bibles printed in Riga as early as 1884 and passed through Siberian camps, and even fairy tales written by repressed priests for children in prison.

Tickets are available at the box office or on the museum’s website: www.okupacijasmuzejs.lv

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Riga, Latvia