Art Nouveau Museum

Overview

The Art Nouveau Museum (Rīgas Jūgendstila muzejs) occupies a fully restored apartment at Alberta iela 12, offering a unique immersion into the domestic life of Riga's bourgeoisie around 1903. Every detail — wallpaper, furniture, kitchen, and bathroom — has been painstakingly reconstructed.

Highlights

• Period interiors: A spiral staircase, stained-glass windows, and original tile stoves transport visitors to 1903.
• Mikhail Eisenstein facade: The museum building itself is one of the most spectacular Art Nouveau facades in the city.
• Interactive displays: Touchscreens provide architectural context and neighbourhood walking maps.

History

The building was designed by Konstantīns Pēkšēns in 1903. After decades of Soviet-era subdivision into communal flats, the apartment was restored in 2009 using period photographs and surviving decorative fragments.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Start here before walking the Art Nouveau district — the context enriches the experience.
• Tip 2: The spiral staircase alone is worth the visit for photographers.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.