Riga Art Nouveau Centre, Riga

The Riga Art Nouveau Centre is the only institution in the Baltic States where visitors can gain a comprehensive understanding of the historical heritage of Art Nouveau in an authentic setting that showcases the movement's distinctive features.

The Centre is one of Riga's youngest museums. It is housed in an early 20th-century apartment where, following a thorough restoration, an authentic early-1900s interior has been recreated to reveal the many facets of Art Nouveau in detail-from the layout of the home to small decorative elements such as door and window handles.

The multi-story building that houses the museum was completed in 1903 as a private residence for the prominent Latvian architect Konstantīns Pēkšēns. The plans were developed in collaboration with Eižens Laube. One of the building's most distinctive features is its grand central spiral staircase.

The exhibits-furniture, tableware, paintings and sculptures, clocks, clothing, embroidery, and other household items from the early 20th century-came directly or indirectly from homes where they once played an active role in daily life. Adding to the atmosphere are the museum attendants, dressed in elegant Art Nouveau-style attire.