The building was originally constructed in 1901 as a private residence for the local merchant and diplomat, Arthur Medem.
The museum's collection contains over 100,000 individual items, making it one of the largest regional holdings in Latvia.
Architect Paul Max Bertschy, who designed the building, is responsible for many of the iconic red-brick structures that define the visual aesthetic of Liepāja.
The museum preserves the 'Liepāja Fortress' collection, documenting the remnants of the massive defensive system built by the Russian Empire at the turn of the 20th century.
Liepājas muzejs is the largest museum in the Kurzeme region, housed in a historic building designed by architect Paul Max Bertschy. The permanent collection features ethnographic artifacts, historical documentation of Liepāja’s development, and extensive art archives. It serves as a regional repository for the history of Latvian maritime culture and the city’s industrial evolution. The museum maintains significant photographic collections capturing urban life from the late 19th century onwards. Visitors can explore changing temporary exhibitions covering both local contemporary art and international history. The site operates as a cultural research center, documenting the impact of military and Soviet-era history on the local landscape. It is centrally located in the Kūrmājas prospekts district, notable for its concentration of 19th-century architecture.
The main staircase in the grand hall, which retains original architectural details and woodwork.
Check the museum's official website calendar before visiting, as specific exhibit halls may be closed during installation periods.
Walk the surrounding Kūrmājas prospekts to see the ornate residential villas, many of which share the same architectural era as the museum.
Allow extra time for the ethnographic department, which contains unique items related to local Curonian folk traditions.
Do not overlook the second-floor exhibits, which are often quieter and contain detailed historical documents that casual visitors frequently skip.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume and avoid touching glass display cases or artifacts; photography is generally permitted without flash.
