Eastern and Central Europe (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

RĪGA 81

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST

Brīvības Gatve 440. Map F1.

Tel 6799 4106. @ 1, 19, 28.

# May–Sep: 10am–5pm daily;

Dec–Feb: 10am–5pm Wed–Sun.

& 8 5 Sun (Usma Church).

http://www.brivdabasmuzejs.lv.

Latvian Ethnographic

Open-Air Museum w

Latvijas etnogrāfiskais brīvdabas muzejs

Occupying 86 ha (213 acres) of woodland on the shores
of Lake Jugla on the city’s eastern edge, this site
includes over 118 homesteads, churches, windmills and
other structures from across Latvia. Founded in 1924,
the site is organized according to Latvia’s administrative
regions – Vidzeme, Kurzeme, Zemgale and Latgale –
drawing attention to variations in building design and
living arrangements in different parts of the country.
With craftspeople working on site during the summer,
and many buildings containing everyday artifacts, the
museum offers an insight into 19th-century rural life.

STAR SIGHTS

. Kurzeme Peasants’
Homestead
. Usma Church
. Usma Church
Most wooden churches
were replaced by stone
buildings in the 19th
century, making this
a rare example.
. Kurzeme Peasants’
Homestead
This wooden building with a
reed-thatched roof is typical of
19th-century rural architecture
in southwest Kurzeme.

Handicrafts

Handicraft displays

include tradi tional

wickerwork.

Old Believers’ House

Located in a Latgale village,

the house exhibits a loom

for weaving and a samovar

used to boil water for tea.

Dutch Windmill

Built in 1890, this windmill,

from Latgale, has a movable

“cap” including sails, a

shaft and a gear wheel.

Entrance

Kurzeme

Fishermen’s

Village

Zemgale Peasants’

Homestead includes

a dwelling-house,

a bathhouse and

a granary.

Vidzeme Spinning Wheel-

Maker’s Homestead

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