The Art Museum Arsenāls in Riga is one of Latvia’s largest exhibition halls, housed in a 19th‑century customs warehouse built in the style of late Russian Classicism. Adapted for museum use in the late 1980s, it opened in 1989 as part of the Latvian National Museum of Art, becoming a key venue for major exhibitions, international projects, performances, and cultural events. Unlike traditional museums, Arsenāls has no permanent display; instead, it presents changing exhibitions drawn from the national collection, focusing on Latvian art from the late 20th century to today, alongside works by international artists. Its spacious, industrial‑heritage setting offers a striking backdrop for contemporary and conceptual art, while educational programmes and guided tours deepen visitor engagement. Currently closed for reconstruction to preserve its historic structure and improve accessibility, Arsenāls remains an important symbol of Riga’s cultural life, poised to reopen as a revitalised hub for modern and contemporary art.
Riga Latvia
Art Museum Arsenāls is located at Torņa iela 1 in Vecrīga, Riga’s historic Old Town. Housed in a 19th-century customs warehouse built in the late Russian Classicism style, Arsenāls is one of the largest exhibition spaces in Riga and an important cultural venue showcasing Latvian and Baltic art from the latter half of the 20th century onward. The museum hosted a wide range of exhibitions including solo shows by Latvian and international artists, conceptual art projects, performances, and educational programs, but it has been closed since February 2020 for reconstruction and renovation to secure the building’s future and improve public access. The location places visitors within walking distance of Riga’s most iconic landmarks such as the Dome Cathedral, the Latvian National Museum of Art’s main building, and the lively Jaņa Rozentāla laukums square, surrounded by cafes, shops, and vibrant city life. Arsenāls is a key destination for art lovers seeking to explore modern and contemporary art in a historic setting.
Museum
Art Nouveau Museum
Museum
Riga Motor Museum
Museum
Latvian National Museum of Art
Museum
Latvian National Opera and Ballet
Opera House
Daile Theatre
Theatre
New Riga Theatre
Theatre
Riga Castle
Castle
House of the Blackheads
Museum
Bastejkalns Park
Park
Vērmanes Garden
Park
Esplanade Park
Park
Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia
Botanical Garden
St. Peter's Church Tower
Church
Riga Cathedral Tower
Cathedral
Rātslaukums
Square
Dome Square
Historical landmark
Freedom Monument Square
Monument
Riga Old Town
Historical landmark
Rīgas Centrāltirgus
Market
Three Brothers
Tourist attractions
Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum
Museum
Latvian Academy of Sciences Observation Deck
Tourist attractions
Laima Clock
Tourist attractions
Art Museum Riga Bourse
Museum
Museum of Decorative Arts and Design
Museum
Romans Suta and Aleksandra Beļcova Museum
Museum
Museum Storage Facility and Forest of Sculptures
Museum
Latvian War Museum
Museum
Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation
Museum
The Corner House
Museum
Andrejs Upīts’ Memorial Museum
Museum
Pauls Stradiņš Museum of the History of Medicine
Museum
Latvian Museum of Pharmacy
Museum
Latvian Film Museum
Museum
The Ethnographic Open-Air Museum of Latvia
Museum
Krišjānis Barons Memorial Museum
Museum
Latvian Museum of Architecture
Museum
Latvian Museum of Natural History
Museum
Latvian Museum of Photography
Museum
Latvian Railway History Museum
Museum
Riga Aviation Museum
Museum
Riga Porcelain Museum
Museum
LOOK! Art Gallery
Gallery
Art Platz
Gallery
Digital Art House
Gallery
MuseumLV Gallery
Gallery
Planetarium at Science Centre Tehnoannas pagrabi
Museum