Dekoratīvās mākslas un dizaina muzejs
Latvia's largest collection of professional decorative arts and design is housed in the oldest surviving stone building in Riga – the former St George's Church.
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About the museum
The museum is housed in the former St George's Church (Sv. Jura baznīca) at the corner of the Konventa sēta (Convent Yard) in Old Riga. The building was constructed as the chapel of the castle of the Sword Brothers' Order; it is first mentioned in the Indriķa hronika (Chronicle of Henry of Livonia) in 1209, and it is the oldest surviving stone building in Riga. It was once also called the “White Stone Castle”, because it was built of light Daugava dolomite. Later the building was used as a warehouse, and in the 20th century it held theatre props.
From 1986 to 1989 a Polish firm for the restoration of ancient monuments restored the building and adapted it for museum purposes. In 1989 the Decorative Applied Arts Museum was founded; in 2005 it was renamed the Dekoratīvās mākslas un dizaina muzejs (Decorative Arts and Design Museum). Today the building is a state-protected architectural monument, and the museum is part of the Latvijas Nacionālais mākslas muzejs (Latvian National Museum of Art).
The museum's collection comprises more than 11,000 items, of which around 500 are on display in the exhibition halls. The permanent exhibitions present Latvian decorative arts and design from the late 19th century to the present day, and the museum regularly holds design lectures, discussion series and creative workshops.
Highlights
- Oldest surviving stone building in Riga – former St George's Church
- Permanent exhibition “Klasiskās vērtības” (Classic Values)
- Open-format exhibition “Dizaina process” (Design Process)
- Virtual exhibition on the textile factory “Rīgas audums”
- Collections of Latvian textile art, ceramics and porcelain
Permanent exhibitions
- Klasiskās vērtības – Latvian decorative art and design from the late 19th century to the 1960s.
- Dizaina process – Open-format exhibition on Latvian design from the 1960s to the present day and on the role of design in society.
- Rīgas audums. Laikmeta raksti – Virtual introduction to the textile factory “Rīgas audums” – one of the most striking brands in the Latvian textile industry.
- Founded
- 1989
- Operated by
- Latvijas Nacionālais mākslas muzejs
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €7 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3.50pupils, students, pensioners, persons with a Group III disability, people in need and on low incomes, and individual holders of the Latvian Honorary Family Card (on presentation of a document) |
| Children & teens | €3.50Free admission for children of pre-school age. |
| Seniors | €3.50Pensioners, on presentation of a document. |
| Visitors with disabilities | freecompanion free · Free admission for persons under 18 years of age with disabilities, persons with Group I and II disabilities, and one accompanying person for a child with a disability or for a person with a Group I disability. |
| Students & apprentices | €3.50 |
| Groups (10+ people) | €5.60 per personTicket for a group of 10 or more persons (the discount applies only if tickets are bought in a single payment): permanent exhibition €5.60 for adults and €2.80 for discount groups. |
| Families | €10Family ticket €10 – one adult with 1–4 children or a large family (on presentation of the “3+ Family Card”); €16 – two adults with 1–4 children. |
| Combined ticket (whole permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions), adult | €12 |
| Combined ticket, discount group | €6 |
| Large exhibition hall, adult | €9 |
| Large exhibition hall, discount group | €4.50 |
| Family ticket – 2 adults with 1–4 children | €16Admission to the entire museum. |
| Annual ticket, adult | €70Valid for one year in all museums of the Latvijas Nacionālais mākslas muzejs. |
| Annual ticket, pupil, student, pensioner | €35 |
| Guided tour in Latvian | €30Must be booked at least 2–3 weeks in advance. |
| Guided tour in a foreign language | €50Must be booked at least 2–3 weeks in advance. |
Free admission: On the last Sunday of each month, the permanent exhibition on the first and second floors; on 18 May (International Museum Day); during the European Museum Night
Tickets can be bought on site or remotely via the Mobilly app. Free admission also applies to, for example, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, employees of Latvian museums, students of the Latvijas Mākslas akadēmija (Latvian Academy of Art) and Ukrainian civilians. If the last Sunday of the month is a public holiday and the museum is closed, the offer is not moved.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The step-free entrance at ground level is from Skārņu iela (help is needed to open the doors). A narrow lift (doors 60 cm, floor area 80 × 105 cm) serves the first and second floors. The large exhibition hall has 6 steps to overcome, and each of the exhibitions has 3 steps. Portable chairs are available in the ground-floor foyer. An audio guide is available for the exhibition “Klasiskās vērtības”. Some public tours take place with sign language interpretation. The nearest free car parking spaces for people with disabilities are at the junction of Kungu iela and Kaļķu iela (2 spaces) and at the junction of Mārstaļu iela and Peitavas iela (2 spaces).
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Family ticket | €10 · Family ticket €10 – one adult with 1–4 children or a large family (on presentation of the “3+ Family Card”); €16 – two adults with 1–4 children. |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
Visitors can come in with pushchairs, which can be left in the ground-floor cloakroom. A baby changing table is available in the toilets on the first floor.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
11. Novembra krastmala · 10-min walk
Nearest “Rīgas satiksme” stops: “11. Novembra krastmala” (buses 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 32, 38, 39, 43, 54, 55; trolleybuses 9, 27) and “Grēcinieku iela” (trams 1, 2, 5, 10; bus 22; trolleybuses 9, 27).
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
The museum is in Old Riga; it is not possible to drive up to it and there is no visitor car park. Passengers can be dropped off at Reformācijas laukums 1 (Reformation Square).
The nearest bicycle parking is at Rātslaukums 1 (Town Hall Square).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check
- Lockers
- Wi-Fi
Free public Wi-Fi network “Tet-free”. Children's pushchairs for indoor use are also available in the cloakroom.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Tours and school visits can be booked by phone: +371 6783 0917. Assistance dogs are permitted in the museum. Visitor numbers are usually lower on weekdays after 15:00 and at weekends until 12:00. |
