Museum of Decorative Arts and Design
Looking for a quieter side of Riga? This optional 3-hour excursion takes you to the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, hidden in a peaceful Old Town courtyard. The building itself is a treasure: it is the former St. George's Church, the oldest surviving stone building in Riga, built as a chapel for the castle of the Order of the Brothers of the Sword. Inside, thick Romanesque walls and massive 17th-century wooden beams create a very special atmosphere, and you'll hear how the former church spent centuries as a warehouse for goods like hemp, flax and ship-mast pines.
The collections show how Latvian artists have shaped beauty in everyday objects, from textiles, ceramics and porcelain to metal, wood, leather, glass and modern design, spanning from the late 19th century to the present. A highlight is the largest existing collection of works by the Baltars porcelain workshop, whose artists were founders of Latvian modernism, with bold geometric forms inspired by Cubism, Futurism and Art Deco. If you love art, craft and design, this optional excursion is a perfect addition to your guided tour.