Latvijas Sporta muzejs

About the museum

The idea of a sports museum arose as early as the 1930s, when the circus artist and jeweller Kārlis Vītoliņš gave his sporting awards and a collection of bicycles to Voldemārs Šmidbergs. Šmidbergs, a photographer and collector of sports relics, later gathered at his house in Riga, at 11 Augļu iela, around 10,000 posters, photographs, medals, cups, sports equipment and diplomas – at the time the largest collection of its kind in Latvia.

In 1974 Šmidbergs bequeathed his collection to the future Sports Museum, whose establishment began in 1985. The Latvijas Sporta muzejs was officially founded on 1 January 1990, and since February 1992 it has been located in Old Riga, on Alksnāja iela. The museum building is part of a complex of 16th–19th-century residential buildings and warehouses that has survived fires and reconstructions over time.

The museum's main exhibition, “Latvijas olimpiešu Goda zāle. ZELTS. SUDRABS. BRONZA” (Hall of Honour of Latvian Olympians. GOLD. SILVER. BRONZE), opened on 14 November 2018 and is dedicated to the centenary of the Latvian state and of sport. It honours Olympians from the Stockholm Games to the present day. Visitors can also see the awards and memorabilia of outstanding athletes, and after the tour children can try their strength on a 7-metre climbing wall under supervision.

Highlights

• Hall of Honour of Latvian Olympians
• Awards and memorabilia of Olympic medallists
• Daiņis Ozols' bronze wheel from the 1992 Olympic Games
• 7-metre climbing wall for children
• Museum in Old Riga, Alksnāja iela

Permanent exhibition

• Latvijas olimpiešu Goda zāle. ZELTS. SUDRABS. BRONZA – The exhibition honours Latvian Olympians and the Olympic medals they won, from the Stockholm Games to the present day.

Founded

1990

Admission & discounts

Museum employees enter free. Payment in cash only.

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

After the tour, children can climb the 7-metre climbing wall under the supervision of an experienced instructor. Children's birthdays can be celebrated at the museum.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties

The museum holds birthday celebrations for children (room hire €35 per hour).

Plan your visit