The three houses were constructed by a single family, the Līvet family, who were wealthy merchants.
The name 'Three Brothers' was inspired by a similar collection of houses in Prague known as 'Three Sisters'.
The middle house (No. 19) is the only one in the group that retains its original layout almost entirely intact.
The oldest house (No. 17) was used for both living quarters and trade, featuring a large room on the ground floor for storing goods.
During the 1950s restoration, the façades were unified to create the cohesive appearance seen today.
The buildings were designated as a state architectural monument in 1967.
The courtyard features a wall embedded with stone coats-of-arms from dismantled merchant guild houses.
Number 21, the youngest 'brother', is notable for its ornate stone portal and window frames.
The Three Brothers complex comprises the three oldest residential houses in Riga, dating from the 15th to the 17th centuries. Each building represents a different period of architectural development, illustrating the evolution of Riga's urban housing styles. The white house (No. 17) is the oldest, built in the late 15th century, featuring a stepped gable and a layout influenced by medieval design. The middle house (No. 19), completed in 1646, displays Dutch Mannerism with its decorative gables and stone portals. The yellow house (No. 21) dates to the late 17th century and represents the Late Baroque style. The complex serves as the home to the Latvian Museum of Architecture, which occupies the premises to exhibit architectural heritage. The houses were restored collectively in the 1950s by architect Pēteris Saulītis after suffering significant damage during World War II. The courtyard contains architectural fragments, including stone carvings from destroyed historical buildings in Riga.
From the opposite sidewalk on Mazā Pils iela for a straight-on shot of all three facades.
Walk through the small stone-paved courtyard to view the collection of salvaged architectural details.
View the buildings from the opposite side of Mazā Pils iela to capture the full scale of the three gables together.
Do not attempt to enter private areas or apartment sections; the museum is confined to specific portions of the complex.
Closed on Sundays and Mondays.
