The origins of Latvian War Museum date back to World War I and the formation of the country’s first national military unit – the Latvian Riflemen Battalions within the Tsarist Russia’s army in 1915. In 1916, the museum began to operate as the Riflemen Museum. As early as 1919, it found a home in one of Rīga’s ancient fortification towers, the Powder Tower. The museum was restored in 1990 with a new focus – to reflect the complex military and political history of Latvia through exhibition displays as well as to store, research and document historical evidence about Latvia’s military history.

The museum provides guided tours for small groups of up to five people. All tours need to be booked in advance by phone +371 28662648.

Apart from the central building in the heart of Old Rīga, the museum has two sister sites: the Christmas Battle Museum in Tīreļpurvs and the Oskars Kalpaks Museum “Airītes” in Saldus District.