The splendid House of Blackheads - a replica of original building which was built here in 14th Century for unmarried German merchants is one of the most photographed and tourist visited places in Riga.
The original House of Blackheads building
| MAIN FACTS |
|
| LOCATION |
Latvia, Riga |
| ARCHITECTURE |
Mannerism, Neo-Gothic |
| BUILT |
14th Century |
| ARCHITECT |
? |
| RATING (8,5/10) |
 |
was erected during the first third of the 14th century for the Brotherhood of Blackheads, a guild for unmarried merchants, shipowners, and foreigners in Riga. Major works were done in the early 17th century, adding most of the Mannerist ornamentation.
The building was bombed to a ruin by the Germans on June 28, 1941 - a week after the launching of Operation Barbarossa - and the remains were demolished by the Soviets in 1948. It was rebuilt between 1996 and 1999 - more than 5000 people participated with their donations.
Today the House of the Blackheads is a museum. The historical cellar is the only original part of the building which survived World War II and during the Soviet Occupation times (until the 1990s) was buried underground and not visible. Historical cellar is one of the most unique places in Old Riga, where it is possible to walk through authentic underground of Old Riga where the remains - wall fragments, floor and even the wooden stairs are originals, and some of that is dated even in 14th century. This is former storage for goods and part of it was space for hypocaust - warm air furnace. Now there are interesting, interactive exhibitions relating to trading in Riga and the Brotherhood of Blackheads history. (CC, Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_the_Blackheads_(Riga))
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