Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

Museum of the Occupation of Latvia is dedicated to the 50-year domination of the totalitarian regime during the occupation of the country until its restoration. The exposition of the Museum Collection is represented by historical documents and photographs reflecting the history of Latvia from 1939 to 1991. The museum is divided into 3 sections. The first section tells about the prehistory of the occupation of Latvia. The next section familiarizes visitors with the history of Latvia during the first Soviet occupation, the German occupation and the second Soviet occupation. The last section reviews the history of Latvia after 1980 and the return of independence in 1991

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The museum has also created traveling exhibitions (in several languages): “Latvia in 1939-1991: From Occupation to Freedom” is exhibited in Latvian schools and museums; “Latvia Returns to Europe” is exhibited in Europe (including the European Parliament building), Australia, Canada; “Latvia Returns to the Free World” is exhibited in the USA. The museum publishes a periodical – “Yearbook of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia”. The museum organizes evenings of Soviet anecdotes.

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History of the museum

The Museum of the Occupation of Latvia was founded in 1993 by the Foundation (since 2006 – Association) of the Museum of the Occupation. The Museum’s collection consists of about 30 thousand documents, photographs, written, oral and material evidence reflecting the history of Latvia from 1940 to 1991, as well as memorabilia from places of imprisonment and special settlement. Scientists from Latvia itself, as well as from Sweden, Great Britain, the USA and Russia participate in the museum’s research work. The project “Collection of video testimonies of deportation survivors” is supported by the European Commission within the framework of its Culture-2000 program.

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Practical information

  • Address: Riga, Strelnieku Iaukuma, 1.
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  • Opening hours: October – April: 10:00 – 17:00. Weekend: Monday. May – September: 10:00 – 18:00 daily.
  • Entrance is free.
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