Latvijas Nacionālais dabas muzejs

About the museum

The history of the natural history museum in Riga began in 1773, when the city council accepted a donation from the Himzel family and set up the Himzel Museum, the first public museum in the Baltics. The founding year of the museum is considered to be 1845, when the Rīgas Dabaspētnieku biedrība (Riga Society of Naturalists) was established; the museum was set up the following year. In 1860 the society's museum added the Himzel collection, and in 1890 it became the natural science department of the Rīgas Doma muzejs (Riga Cathedral Museum).

After the outbreak of the Second World War the museum changed its name several times and was merged with other museums. In 1951 it moved into rooms of the Skolu muzejs (School Museum) at 4 Krišjāņa Barona iela, where it is still located today. In 1999 the museum passed from the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, and in 2020, marking its 175th anniversary, it was granted the status of a national museum.

The museum's collection comprises more than 200,000 items: botanical and mycological, geological, palaeontological, entomological and zoological collections. The permanent exhibitions present the structure and evolution of the Earth, minerals, Latvian birds and mammals, the animals of the world, insects, marine life, plants and fungi. On 11 December 2025 a new exhibition, “Skeletārijs” (Skeletarium), on the diversity of vertebrate skeletons opened. The museum is also an education centre: it hosts lessons for pupils and families, guided tours, lectures and thematic exhibitions, and since 1952 an annual mushroom exhibition every autumn.

Highlights

• Skeletārijs – new exhibition on vertebrate skeletons
• Exhibitions on Latvian birds and mammals
• Mineralogy and geology exhibitions
• The insect world and marine life
• Collection of more than 200,000 items

Permanent exhibitions

• Dinamiskā ģeoloģija un ieži – The exhibition explains the Earth's internal structure and dynamic processes.
• Latvijas putni – The exhibition introduces the bird species found in Latvia.
• Skeletārijs – Almost 300 items in an exhibition on the diversity of fish, amphibian, reptile, bird and mammal skeletons.

Founded

1845

Operated by

Vides aizsardzības un reģionālās attīstības ministrija

Admission & discounts

Discounts apply when a document confirming the status is presented.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum organises family days, “Curious Families” Saturdays, lessons for families and birthday celebrations at the museum; there is a room for changing and feeding babies.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Conference hall and seminar room on the fifth floor (each about 70–80 m²), a teaching room in the basement and exhibition halls on the ground and first floors; prices are listed in the museum's price list.

Plan your visit