The House of the Black Heads began in the fourteenth century as a meeting house for Riga’s merchant guilds and became the home of the Brotherhood of Black Heads, a society of unmarried merchants, shipowners and foreigners named after their patron, Saint Maurice. Over the centuries it gained the ornate stepped gable, clock and statues that made it the jewel of the Town Hall Square. German bombing in 1941 left it a ruin, and the Soviet authorities cleared what remained in 1948. It was rebuilt between 1996 and 1999, and today you can tour the reconstructed halls and the medieval cellars, which survived beneath the rubble, while a self-guided or guided visit tells the story of the brotherhood and the building.
What you see: the facade is the star, so walk around the square first and look at the gable, the astronomical clock and the figures of Neptune, Mercury, Unity and Peace. Inside, the grand ceremonial halls are reconstructions, richly furnished and used for official receptions, while the brick cellars below are genuinely medieval and feel quite different. The visit is short and works well alongside a walk through the square.
Plan around the opening days: Tiqets lists the house as open Thursday to Sunday only, with entry from late morning to late afternoon, and official events can close the halls at short notice. Book a mobile ticket ahead and keep a backup plan for the other days.
The Christmas tree story: the Black Heads are credited locally with decorating one of the first Christmas trees in the Town Hall Square in 1510, and a plaque in the square marks the spot. It is a nice detail to look for if you visit in December, when a tree stands there again.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided or guided visit to the rebuilt ceremonial halls and the original medieval cellars of the guild house.
Best time
Late morning on a Thursday to Sunday, before or after a walk round the Town Hall Square.
How long
About 45 minutes to an hour inside.
Tips
Check the open days before you go, as the house closes Monday to Wednesday and for official events.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-timers who want to see inside Riga’s signature building.
- Families
- A short visit that suits older children; combine it with the illusion museum nearby.
- Couples
- See the facade lit up in the evening after a daytime visit inside.
- Pair with
- Riga Old Town, St Peter’s Church and Cosmos Illusion Museum.
- Time needed
- About an hour.
Good questions
Is the House of the Black Heads original?+
The building is a 1990s reconstruction of the guild house destroyed in the Second World War; the cellars are original medieval work.
When is the House of the Black Heads open?+
Tiqets lists it as open Thursday to Sunday, roughly late morning to late afternoon, and closed Monday to Wednesday.
Do I need to book tickets?+
It is wise to book a mobile ticket ahead, especially at weekends, and to check for event closures.
Who were the Black Heads?+
A brotherhood of unmarried merchants, shipowners and foreigners in Riga, named after their patron Saint Maurice.
Is there a combined ticket?+
Yes, Tiqets sells a combination with the Cosmos Illusion Museum, a few minutes away on Dome Square.
