House of Blackheads (Melngalvju nams) - Riga, Latvia
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N 56° 56.834 E 024° 06.417
35V E 324034 N 6315237
House of the Blackheads (latv.:Melngalvju nams) is a building situated in old town Riga, Latvia. It was erected in 1334. Blackheads was an organisation of unmarried foreign merchants, existing in several Baltic medieval towns. The beautiful Gothic building was destroyed in 1941, but it was rebuilt from 1995 – 1999. Completed in time for the celebration of Riga`s 800th anniversary.
Waymark Code: WM3TWG
Location: Latvia
Date Posted: 05/18/2008
Views: 146
This important centre for public life, which was first mentioned by sources in 1334 as the New House of the Large Guild, is located near the Town Hall Square (Ratslaukums). The building was erected by the city itself, and originally it was rented to the merchants of the Large Guild and the unmarried merchants, the Brotherhood of Blackheads, who later, in 1713, purchased the building and became its proprietors.
The Blackheads was characteristically a common union of young, unmarried merchants and ship captains in the Hansa cities, which chose St. Maurice to be their patron. St. Mauritius was an imaginary African black moor (from this the name of the brotherhood “the Blackheads” comes). Due to their exceptional status the Blackheads played an important role in the society life and traditions; many VIPs of that time (including Russian tsars) took part in events organized by the Blackheads. As a German merchant club the Brotherhood of Blackheads existed in Riga until 1939.
The House of Blackheads was reconstructed and expanded for a number of times, however both pediments have been preserved many elements from the first and the 15th century’s periods. The entire second floor was built as a celebration hall. The biggest changes to the architecture of the house were made at the end of 18th century, when a new two-storey wing was added to the building. In 1816 one more wing was added to it. The addition was made to the wall on the side of the Daugava River. The open stairs, which lead directly into the hall on the second floor, were covered with oblong canopy. The last significant changes to the façade’s pediments were made in 1886, when all the gothic pediments had new additional profiles of concrete casting worked in. The celebration hall was also upgraded and adorned during renovations and expansions. The adornment of 6.68 m high hall was exceedingly extravagant.
The long-standing and posh cultural monument was destroyed during World War II in 1941. Due to an explosion the slate covered roof was torn off revealing the wooden constructions beneath, which were destroyed by the fires of burning houses nearby.
During the Soviet occupation in 1948 the burned out walls were blown up. After the Republic of Latvia regained its independence, the restoration of the House of Blackheads started, which was completed in 1999.
Earliest Recorded Date of Construction: 01/01/1334
Additional Dates of Construction:
1580 ornamentations added.
1886 more ornamentations added.
1995-1999 rebuilt.
Architectural Period/Style: Renaissance
Architect (if known): Unknown
Type of Building e.g. Country House, Stately Home, Manor:
Originally a house, now a museum.
Interesting Historical Facts or Connections:
See above.
Listed Building Status (if applicable): Public
Main Material of Construction: Brick
Private/Public Access: Public
Admission Fee (if applicable): 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Opening Hours (if applicable): From: 10:00 AM To: 5:00 PM
Related Website: [Web Link]
Rating: 
Landscape Designer (if known): Not listed
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