Latvijas Etnogrāfiskais brīvdabas muzejs

About the museum

The Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum was founded in 1924 to preserve Latvia’s rural building heritage. Historic buildings from various regions of Latvia were moved to the site by Lake Jugla and re-erected there; visitors were first able to see the historic buildings in the summer of 1932.

Today the museum covers more than 80 hectares of pine forest. It contains farmsteads typical of Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme and Latgale, craftspeople’s houses and workshops, windmills, forges, and potters’ and tar kilns. The layout of each farmstead – the living house, cowshed, laidars (a type of barn), bathhouse and granary – is based on research and reflects the way of life from the 17th to the 20th century.

The site also includes the Kurzeme fishing village farmsteads “Mauri” and “Lurķi”, the Liepāja harbour warehouse “Bezdelīga”, the Lutheran church of Usma, the Livonian fisherman and farmer’s farmstead “Dēliņi”, a Latgale smallholder’s farmstead, and a residential threshing barn with a school. Over the year the museum holds traditional seasonal festivals, an annual fair and museum education programmes. The museum also owns the rural exhibition “Vēveri” in Vecpiebalga and the fisherman–farmer’s farmstead “Vītolnieki” in Rucava.

Highlights

• Farmsteads from Kurzeme, Zemgale, Vidzeme and Latgale
• Windmills, forges, potters’ and tar kilns
• Usma Lutheran church and the Liepāja harbour warehouse “Bezdelīga”
• Traditional seasonal festivals and annual fair
• A walk through the pine forest by Lake Jugla
• Café “Pūnīte” and the Priedes krogs (inn)

Permanent exhibition

• Rīgas ekspozīcija – zemnieku sētas un sabiedriskās celtnes – Farmsteads from various regions, craftspeople’s houses, a church, a school and a fishing village show Latvian rural life from the 17th to the 20th century.

Founded

1924

Admission & discounts

Summer season (1 May–31 October): adults €9, pensioners €6, students and pupils €4, people with Group III disabilities €4, groups of 10 or more €7 per person. Winter season (1 November–30 April): adults €6, pensioners €4, students and pupils €3. On Lielā diena (“Great Day”), at Easter, at Mārtiņi (Martinmas) and at the Bluķa vilkšana (Yule log pulling) event in winter, summer prices apply. Events run by other organisations (such as “Gaismas taka” and others) may have a different ticket price.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The museum lies in a forest of around 86 hectares. In good weather the main paths can be driven by wheelchair, but the paths have a natural surface and in autumn, winter and after rain they are affected by mud, snow and ice. There is a ramp up to the exhibition hall. The historic wooden buildings have narrow doors, stone porches and high thresholds. Toilets for people with mobility impairments are located next to the exhibition hall.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

Family ticket for 1–2 adults with 1–4 children under 18. The museum offers museum education sessions and seasonal festivals. Children under seven may ride children’s bicycles on the grounds.

Getting there & parking

The museum can also be reached by the cycle route “Centrs – Berģi”; secure bicycle racks are at the main entrance and the West Gate. Cycling is not permitted on the museum grounds.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant

In summer the café “Pūnīte” operates next to the Vidzeme farmstead (serving outdoors). The Priedes krogs (inn) serves traditional Latvian dishes.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The museum rents out its grounds, rooms and exhibits for events.

Plan your visit