Three Brothers

The Three Brothers

A stop on the Riga audio-guided tour, the Three Brothers are the oldest set of dwelling houses in the city. Their three facades, so different, tell on their own more than two centuries of architectural evolution.

A nod to Tallinn

The ensemble owes its name as a tribute to the Three Sisters of Tallinn, in neighbouring Estonia, three medieval houses that a merchant had built for his three daughters. Riga wished to respond to this nod by naming its houses the Three Brothers. The oldest, at number 17, dates from around 1490.

What to see

With its white facade, its stepped Gothic gables and its simple interior arranged around a single large room, number 17 illustrates the medieval artisan's house, where one lived, worked and stored under the same roof. The two other houses, more recent, show the evolution of styles over the centuries.

Practical information

The Three Brothers are on Maza Pils street, in Riga's old town, near the castle. The facades can be viewed freely from the street; access conditions to the interior should be checked depending on the season.

Which is the oldest of the Three Brothers ?

The house at number 17, which dates from around 1490.

Where does the name Three Brothers come from ?

It is a nod to the Three Sisters of Tallinn, in neighbouring Estonia.