History Museum Of Latvia (Latvijas Vestures Muzejs)
This museum shows the life of the early Latvians; their clothing, things around the house, kitchen stuff, how they make their livelihood; and interestingly, the furnitures of rich Latvian citizens.
They also have religious artifacts that dates back from the 16th-18th century.
This is quite a big museum which also have rooms for exhibitions. Entrance fee is Ls2, but free every Wednesday. There's a Ls1 charge for taking photos. If you'll be in Riga, this is a must-see museum because it is where the President's Palace is. You could not get in there, but it's as close as you can get to it. They also have changing of the guards, which is quite good to see; the same one like in their Freedom monument.
I guess I'll end my museum-hopping entries here. The rest of the museums are not that interesting. Hope you enjoyed it somehow.
Gorgeously . . .
Mrs. G
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Latvian Museum Hopping --> Part 6
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Latvian Museum Hopping --> Part 5
Museum Of Foreign Art (Arzemju Makslas Muzejs)
Obviously this had art pieces and paintings by artists all over the world. They also held exhibitions by any visiting artist. The entrance fee depends on which exhibit you want to see, but mostly the charge is Ls2.
They were having an exhibition by Korean artists from the Netherlands when we were there. Of course, taking photos were not allowed.
I like this museum because the staff were all very nice and helpful. I actually think because they were fond of Kaiden. Every room got 1 attendant, and almost all of them gave Kaiden some sweets. They even want us to have another round when we were about to leave. They told us to come back and it will be for free!
Gorgeously . . .
Mrs. G
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Latvian Museum Hopping --> Part 4
Arsenals Museum Of Arts
This museum just have art pieces in it from various artists. They also hold exhibitions here. Ls2.50 is the entrance fee.
> > > They have this huge and steep stairs that leads you to some more paintings.
Gorgeously . . .
Mrs. G
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Latvian Museum Hopping --> Part 3
Museum of Decorative Art and Design (Dekorativas Makslas un Dizaina Muzejs)
This museum obviously have art pieces in it. There's a Ls3=$7 entrance fee and I think about Ls1=$2.25 charge to take photos. The Ls3 fee was just for the Latvian art pieces, and if you want to see the Russian ones, it will cost you another Ls3 to view it. Talk about charging!
There wasn't much photo because I didn't pay for it. These were just taken discreetly as Kaiden and I went around. They have amber art pieces, where Latvia is said to be famous for. We didn't stay there for long because it's quite boring.
Gorgeously . . .
Mrs. G
Friday, August 1, 2008
Latvian Museum Hopping --> Part 2
Mentzendorff's House (Mencenddorfa Nams)
This house is a 17th-18th century architectural monument in its own right (their words). It was once owned by a rich Riga merchant that has antique furnitures and unique frescoes. You have to pay Ls3=$7 to get in and additional Ls5=$12 if you want to take photos. At first I thought they have some kind of a photo session inside, well, blame it on the language barrier! The lady meant that you can take photos around but with a fee!
We were also asked to wear a cloth over our shoes as we go up from the ground floor to the attic. The floors were not even spotlessly clean nor shiny.
I have never been to a museum where you have to pay just get photos around. All I know is some museums prohibits picture taking. But to charge you for it? I guess it's only here! There actually is nothing special about this museum. Just an old house converted into one. And the photo fee is was just absurd, it will cost you more for taking photos than getting in!
Gorgeously . . .
Mrs. G
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Latvian Museum Hopping --> Part 1
Latvia has museums everywhere! Just in Riga (mainly in the Old Town) alone, boasts about 19 of them!
We have physically been to about 9 museums, though have passed/stood by most of them. I just don't find some of those museums interesting enough for us to take time and visit it.
Ethnographic Open-Air Museum (Etnografiskais Brivdabas Muzejs)
This has been the first open-air museum that I have been to. Is is huge, with a 100 hectares of Latvian houses, farmsteads, windmills, wooden churches and things about Latvian that dates back from the 16th to the 19th century.
We had such an enjoyable time there and took tons of pictures that I accidentally lost! You might remember how I raved on about it in here!
Museum of War (Kara Muzejs)
This museum showcases the complex military/political history of Latvia, struggling for independence during the 1st and 2nd World Wars, plus their strife under the Soviet occupation that lasted from the 1940's till 1991; when the USSR collapses.
This 4 storey museum is also known as the Powder Tower. Entrance is free. It holds a lot of Latvia's rich history, especially during the communist times. This has been one of the best museums I have ever been to. The collection pieces that they have from weapons, photos, documents, awards and other stuff, are very well preserved and presented.
Gorgeously . . .
Mrs. G