KGB Corner House

Overview

The KGB Corner House (Stūra māja) is the former headquarters of the Soviet KGB in Riga, now preserved as a memorial and museum of Soviet-era repression. The building's interrogation rooms, cells, and offices have been left largely intact, providing a chilling window into the machinery of state terror.

Highlights

• Original cells: Small, windowless holding cells in the basement where political prisoners awaited interrogation.
• Interrogation rooms: Preserved offices with period furnishings and KGB documentation.
• Execution courtyard: The inner courtyard where prisoners were shot during Stalin's purges.

History

Built in the 1910s as an apartment building, the structure was requisitioned by the NKVD/KGB after the Soviet occupation in 1940. It served as the secret police headquarters until 1991. The museum opened in 2014 after years of debate over the building's future.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Guided tours are highly recommended — they provide essential context.
• Tip 2: Book in advance; group sizes are limited due to the small spaces.
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.