Latvian War Museum — Attraction in Riga

Somewhat disappointing experience. Latvia was a melting pot in the last 100 years and something between the various Russian and German regimes. As a result, some serious fighting took place in LatviA in the WW1, after it during the war of independence and also in WW2. This gives a potential to a really interesting war museum, but…

The first caveat - 2 out of 3 floors have exhibits just in Latvian. For each subtopic there is a sheet of paper in English with description of the exhibits. However, it is very tiring to read it on small sheet of paper in English and then try to match it with the actual exhibit. Only the floor dedicated to WW1 and war of independence contains normal English translations.

Secondly, some of the topics are painfully brief and incomplete. For instance, the description of the course of the war of independence is incomprehensible and I would fail to understand the actual developments on the front if I have not studied the subject before. There is no detsiled description of battles and some key engagements (e.g. around Liepaja) are almost bot mentioned.

Another example is the WW2 which fails to describe the 6 Soviet offensives against the Courland pocket or the involvement of the two Latvian SS divisions. Ironically, they sell a mug with the arm shield of these units in the museum shop.

As for exhibits, expect some weaponry, mainly firearms, where nothing stands out.

It is free, but I would rather pay and receive more...

So we approached this museum expecting to pay and was actually free! It's larger than you think when you first enter and its quite a comprehensive collection of materials that are logically spread out date wise, each floor seems to be sectioned off to a particular era which is fantastic if you are particularly interested in 1 period over another. Some of the information is missing in English which is a shame but then I'm certainly not complaining, maybe I should work on my Latvian a bit more. Whilst the museum is free there's also a canny little locker room downstairs which is also free!!!! Amazing service. The only thing which tickled me was that we seemed to be followed around a LOT by the museum staff....maybe I just looked dodgey 😂 but I can't understand why because all the exhibits I could have put in my pockets (if I was so inclined....which I'm not by the way) were behind glass. So I really don't quite understand the need to follow people around, I actually thought we were being as respectful as possible. Still - top spot, defo...

Visiting the Latvian War Museum in Riga was a deeply immersive experience that brought Latvia's complex military history to life. Housed in a historic tower within the Old Town, the museum offers a chronological journey through Latvia's conflicts, from medieval battles to the World Wars and Soviet occupation.

The exhibits are thoughtfully curated, featuring authentic artifacts like uniforms, weapons, and personal letters that vividly portray the struggles of Latvian soldiers. The section on Latvia's fight for independence is particularly moving, showing the resilience of a nation determined to maintain its sovereignty.

The museum’s atmosphere is solemn yet engaging, with multimedia displays and detailed narratives that captivate history enthusiasts. The staff were knowledgeable and willing to provide insights, enhancing the experience. It's a must-visit for anyone interested in military history or understanding Latvia's past and its impact on the present. The visit left me with a deep respect for the country's...