Hotels near House of the Black Heads

The House of the Black Heads (Melngalvju nams) is the most photographed building in Riga - a step-gabled brick facade covered in astronomical clocks, coats of arms, sandstone reliefs and pale stone dressings. The original building was a Great Guild extension from 1334 and later served as the assembly hall of the Brotherhood of Blackheads, an association of unmarried German merchants and shipowners. It was destroyed by German artillery in 1941 and the Soviet authorities demolished the ruins in 1948. The current building is a faithful reconstruction completed for Riga's 800th anniversary in 2001.

Inside, a museum of the merchant brotherhood covers the ground and cellar floors (6 EUR entry) with the restored Grand Hall, silver plate collection and merchant portraits. The building doubles as the presidential state reception venue - the President of Latvia moved offices here in 2012 during renovations at Riga Castle. The exterior at Town Hall Square (Ratslaukums) can be viewed freely at any time and is best floodlit after dark.

Pro Tip: Photograph the facade from the far corner of Ratslaukums near the Roland statue - you get the full step-gable profile with the reconstructed Town Hall behind. The interior is worth it only if you enjoy merchant history; the exterior is the real draw.