House of the Blackheads (Riga)

House of the Blackheads

Rātslaukums 7, Rīga, LV-1050
+371 67043678
pasakumucentri@riga.lv
www.melngalvjunams.lv

Already for 700 hundred years the House of Blackheads pleases and enraptures inhabitants and guests of Riga. This is one of the most magnificent buildings in Riga, preserving both the unique historic heritage of the legendary Brotherhood of Blackheads, and the history of Riga.

The House of Blackheads was built in the distant 1334 as a constituent of Riga's Town Hall ensemble. Historically, the basic function of this building was promotion of entrepreneurship – for several centuries it was the place for gathering of merchants and navigators. It was a building, which literally maintained the economic circulation in Riga and its trade connections with Western and Eastern partners.

The spirit of the House of Blackheads was created by the strenuous and joyful Blackheads, who, being young and unmarried merchants, stood out with their temper and great enthusiasm of organizing various celebrations and cultural events. Their enthusiasm made this building one of the main centres of culture, which determined the pulse of the public life of the entire city.

For centuries the House of Blackheads was the cultural epicentre of Riga, gathering the most respectable inhabitants of Riga and their guests, during celebrations organized by the Blackheads and their successors. This building, which is situated in the heart of Old Riga, is the symbol of Riga and among the central premises of representation of Riga – not for nothing also the President of Latvia has chosen the House of Blackheads as his temporary residence for almost four years!

Also nowadays the House of Blackheads offers the most luxurious and prestigious premises for organization of significant events, concerts, solemn dinners, banquets, conferences and other cultural events. Each event, organized in the royal premises of the House of Blackheads, becomes unforgettable, because it is filled with the special atmosphere of this building and mysterious fortune of the Blackheads.
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The Blackheads House, initially called the New house, has been first recorded in 1334. Its original design had been of a common medieval building, and final appearance is a result of numerous reconstructions.

The house was built as a place for meetings and festivities for various public organizations in Riga. In the 17th century a joyous and enterprising foreign, mainly german, merchants association - the Blackheads Company, became the main occupants of the building. The patron of the association, a roman legion commander, who was tortured to death, was St. Mauritius. His image is seen on the coat of arms, and has become its most recognizable feature.

The house, considered the most beautiful in the city, together with the city hall and other buildings in Riga was demolished during the Second World War.

After the war the interest about the Blackheads house never ceased, different reconstruction projects were developed. In 1991 in the St. Peters church was an exhibition organized in honor of the organization of Blackheads and their building. In 1992 archeological excavations begun on the location site of the original building and in 1995 a large issue was published about the Blackheads house and the brotherhood. This was the year when the reconstruction was begun. Since 1999 Riga is proud again about its re-erected building. And the wish once written on the gate of the Blackheads house is fulfilled: “Should I ever crumble to dust, rebuild my walls you must”
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House of the Blackheads, a venue for exhibitions, concerts and other events, is a landmark of Riga Old City and the Latvian capital’s most magnificent edifice.

House of the Blackheads was built in 1334 as a venue for meetings and banquets held by Riga’s various public organizations. The building was destroyed by bombs in the Second World War but was fully rebuilt in 1999.

Travel through the centuries at House of the Blackheads

• Admire the opulent facade of the House of the Blackheads featuring  various architectural styles and artistic  trends of various periods,
• Take a tour of the House of the Blackheads and picture in your imagination the receptions and concerts that were held at the sumptuous Conference Hall during the times of the Blackheads Society.
• Take a look at the works of our artisans, craftsmen and antique restorers: crystal chandeliers, the painted ceiling of the Conference Hall, the exact replicas of 19th century chairs and sofas, weaponry and armor sets, portraits of the nobility in gilded frames, stained glass with colorful ornamentation, the Blackheads’ Coat of Arms and girandoles.
• Inspect the museum’s treasures at the Medieval cellar;
• See the items that once belonged to the Brotherhood of Blackheads: snuffboxes, silverware, paintings and pottery;
• Explore not only the oldest historical exhibits but also those from more recent times;
• Attend festive events which in the interiors of House of the Blackheads will have a special aura and a truly festive atmosphere;
• See the replica of the Statue of Roland, symbol of the Medieval Hanseatic cities, with the original located in St. Peter’s Church.

The Brotherhood of Blackheads
Towards the end of the 14th century, the guilds uniting Riga’s merchants and craftsmen were joined by a brotherhood of banquet caterers to upper classes which quite significantly called themselves Blackheads. Its members included young and unmarried merchants of foreign, mostly German, descent. When traveling and supplying exotic goods from overseas, they managed to protect their ships and caravans from pirates and robbers. The Blackheads chose St. Maurice as their patron saint, who traditionally was depicted as a black soldier in knight’s armor. After obtaining their tenant’s rights and entering holy wedlock, members of the brotherhood become part of Riga’s patrician elite, serving as councilors, members of the Great Guild and respected members of the city’s community. The 17th century merchant organization, the Brotherhood of the Blackheads, became the sole tenant of the House of the Blackheads.
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