The Three Brothers () is a building complex consisting of three houses, situated in

Riga Riga ( ) is the capital, Primate city, primate, and List of cities and towns in Latvia, largest city of Latvia. Home to 591,882 inhabitants (as of 2025), the city accounts for a third of Latvia's total population. The population of Riga Planni ...

Latvia Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to t ...

. The houses together form the oldest complex of dwelling houses in Riga. Each house represents various periods of development of dwelling house construction.

History

The building at 17 Maza Pils Street is the oldest, dating from the late 15th century. The exterior of the building is characterised by crow-stepped gables, Gothic decorations, and a few early

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...

details. Originally the building consisted internally of one large room and an attic used for storage. The house was restored in 1955–57 by architect Pēteris Saulītis. The neighbouring house, 19 Maza Pils Street, has an exterior dating from 1646, with a stone portal added in 1746. The style of the building shows influences from Dutch

Mannerism Mannerism is a style in European art that emerged in the later years of the Italian High Renaissance around 1520, spreading by about 1530 and lasting until about the end of the 16th century in Italy, when the Baroque style largely replaced it ...

. The last house of the three, located in 21 Maza Pils Street, is a narrow

Baroque The Baroque ( , , ) is a Western Style (visual arts), style of Baroque architecture, architecture, Baroque music, music, Baroque dance, dance, Baroque painting, painting, Baroque sculpture, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished from ...

building which gained its present look probably during the late 17th century. The Three Brothers complex today houses the State Inspection for Heritage Protection and the Latvian Museum of Architecture. On April 1, 2020, the

European Commission The European Commission (EC) is the primary Executive (government), executive arm of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with a number of European Commissioner, members of the Commission (directorial system, informall ...

awarded Three Brothers the European Heritage Label.

Location

The Three brothers are located in the center of

Vecrīga Vecrīga ("Old Riga") is the historical center and a neighbourhood (as Vecpilsēta) of Riga, Latvia, located in the Central District on the east side of Daugava River. Vecrīga is famous for its old churches and cathedrals, such as Riga Cathed ...

, very close to central Dome Square and nearby

Saeima The Saeima () is the parliament of the Latvia, Republic of Latvia. It is a unicameral parliament consisting of 100 members who are elected by proportional representation, with seats allocated to political parties which gain at least 5% of the p ...

. The buildings are at the addresses 17, 19 and 21 Maza Pils Street ().

References

External links

* {{Coord, 56.9504103, N, 24.1041863, E, type:landmark_region:LV-RIX, display=title Buildings and structures in Riga Three Brothers Gothic architecture in Latvia Houses completed in 1646 1646 establishments in Sweden