House of the Black Heads Entry Ticket Riga

The House of the Black Heads and its famous façade

The building was first recorded in 1334 as the New House, a meeting hall for the merchant guilds of Riga. From the late fifteenth century it was rented by the Brotherhood of Black Heads, an association of young, unmarried foreign merchants and shipowners named after their patron, Saint Maurice, whose head appears on their emblem. They later became owners, and the house was the setting for feasts, receptions and celebrations for centuries.

Its famous gabled façade in Dutch Mannerist style was added in the early seventeenth century, with an astronomical clock showing the day, month and phase of the moon, figures of mythological gods, and the coats of arms of Riga and other Hanseatic cities. Destroyed in 1941 and cleared after the war, the house was rebuilt from old plans and photographs and reopened at the end of the 1990s, in time for Riga's 800th anniversary.

The ceremonial halls inside

With your House of the Black Heads tickets you climb to the restored ceremonial halls, where the brotherhood once held banquets and balls. The largest hall is lined with tall windows overlooking Town Hall Square, crystal chandeliers, carved and painted ceilings and portraits of rulers and patrons who visited or supported the brotherhood. Smaller rooms show period furniture, decorative tiles and objects that recall the wealth of Riga's merchants.

Information panels explain how the brotherhood worked, how it defended the city in times of war, and how the house hosted grand visits over the centuries. Is the House of the Black Heads worth visiting? If you enjoy history and grand interiors, yes: it gives a vivid picture of Hanseatic Riga, and the halls are rarely crowded, so you can take your time and photograph the details.

The medieval cellars

Beneath the rebuilt house lie the original medieval cellars, which survived the destruction of 1941. Their brick vaults and thick walls date back to the fourteenth century and are among the oldest spaces in Riga Old Town. Today they host an exhibition about the history of the house and the brotherhood, with archaeological finds, documents and objects recovered during excavations and reconstruction.

The cool, quiet cellars are a striking contrast to the light-filled halls upstairs, and many visitors find them the most atmospheric part of the visit. Allow around 20 to 30 minutes here. The default ticket also includes a cup of coffee, a good way to end the visit before heading back out to the square. The venue is listed as wheelchair-accessible; contact our team if you need details about access to the different levels.

Town Hall Square and the Old Town around it

The House of the Black Heads stands on Town Hall Square, the heart of Riga Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Opposite rises the Town Hall, and in the middle of the square stands a statue of Roland, the knight who symbolises the freedom of medieval trading cities. A plaque nearby recalls the brotherhood's tradition of decorating an evergreen tree here in the early sixteenth century, often cited as one of the first Christmas trees in Europe.

From the square it is a two-minute walk to St Peter's Church, whose tower has a lift to a viewing platform, and a short stroll to Riga Cathedral and the Daugava embankment. The House of the Black Heads opening hours are 10:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Sunday, so morning or early afternoon visits fit easily into a day exploring the Old Town on foot.