Mencendorfa house, Merchant house museum in Old Town, Riga, Latvia.
Mencendorfa house is a four-story merchant residence in Riga's Old Town displaying restored wall paintings, period furniture, and architectural details from the 17th and 18th centuries. The building contains rooms such as a merchant shop, kitchen, salon, ballroom, and chapel that reflect how a wealthy household was organized.
The building was constructed in 1695 and served as a home for Baltic German merchants until changes came in 1939. August Mentzendorff was among its notable owners, involved in importing coffee and chocolate to the region.
The rooms show how wealthy merchants lived in Riga, with a kitchen featuring a mantel fireplace, a salon, a ballroom, and a family chapel. Each space tells the story of daily routines and social customs from centuries ago.
Access is on foot via Grecinieku Street in the heart of Old Town, and guided tours are offered in multiple languages. Plan your visit for weekday mornings or early afternoons when the space is less crowded.
The residence maintains a working glass-making workshop where visitors can watch artisans craft tiles and decorative pieces by hand. Many guests overlook this craft section while focusing only on the historical rooms upstairs.
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