Riga Castle

Riga Castle

A stop on the Riga audio-guided tour, Riga Castle stands on the banks of the Daugava. It is today the official residence of the president of Latvia.

A centuries-old centre of power

Originally built in 1330, then rebuilt at the end of the fifteenth century after being destroyed in local revolts, the castle remained for centuries the centre of power in the region. It passed successively under Teutonic, Polish-Lithuanian, Swedish and Russian rule, before becoming the presidential residence in 1922.

What to see

The differences in colours and materials visible on its facades tell this long history: the grey stone core dates from the medieval castle, the yellow parts were added by the Swedes in the seventeenth century, and the white facades correspond to the Russian transformations of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Preserved rather than uniformised, these additions give the building its patchwork appearance.

Practical information

Riga Castle is on the bank of the Daugava, in the old town. A presidential residence, it can be viewed from outside; access conditions should be checked depending on the season.

Who resides in Riga Castle ?

The president of Latvia; the castle has been his official residence since 1922.

Why are its facades of different colours ?

Each colour corresponds to an era: medieval, Swedish, then Russian, preserved instead of being uniformised.