Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation

The oldest museum in the Baltic States, the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation (Rīgas vēstures un kuģniecības muzejs) traces its origins to 1773, when it began as the private collection of Nikolaus von Himsel, a Riga doctor. It is also one of the oldest museums in Europe.

Over the centuries the collection has grown to more than half a million items, the largest body of material evidence of Riga's history. As its name suggests, it covers both the city's past and its navigation history. It suits visitors who want a thorough grounding in Riga's history.

The museum occupies part of the Riga Dom Cathedral ensemble in Old Riga, so the building is itself part of the city's historic core.