Three Brothers

Take a look at these three very different façades in front of you. These are the Three Brothers, a group of buildings that tell the story of over two centuries of architectural evolution. You’re standing in front of the oldest residential complex in Riga, named after the Three Sisters in neighboring Estonia. The Three Sisters are three medieval houses built by a merchant for his daughters in Tallinn, and they’re quite popular, so Riga decided to pay a little tribute to its neighbor by naming its houses the Three Brothers. Now, can you guess which of these houses is the oldest? That’s right, it’s number 17, dating back to around 1490. With its white façade, Gothic gables (those stair-step peaks reaching to the sky), and a simple interior with a large single room, it reflects the kind of medieval artisan house where people lived, worked, and stored everything under one roof. The middle building, with its façade from 1646, shows a more elaborate style influenced by Dutch Mannerism, a sign of Riga’s growing trade links with the Netherlands. Finally, on your left, the younger brother shows off a narrower, more decorative Baroque style, reflecting the trend for more ornate façades at the end of the 17th century. Did you spot the green color of the façade and the sculpted mask above the entrance? These elements were meant to protect the inhabitants from evil spirits. Looks like we’re safe!