The Mencendorff House Museum outwardly resembles one of the typical examples of the architecture that Riga inherited from the 17th-18th centuries. But you only have to step inside – and the history of the old city comes alive.
This house was built in 1695 by master glazier Irgen Helms. Later, one of the first pharmacies was located here, surviving for nearly 200 years. There is a legend that the famous «Riga Balsam» first appeared here, in 1752, thanks to the recipe of the pharmacist Abram Kunze. At present, a separate exhibition hall has been devoted to the history of this invention – in the attic.
From 1900 to 1939, the house was owned by the family of August Mencendorff, a prosperous resident of Riga, who opened his own shop here selling groceries, delicacies, and coffee. By the way, Mencendorff's coffee was considered the best in all of Riga at that time!
After many years of neglect, the house began to be restored in 1987, and in the early 1990s a splendid museum was opened here. The restoration work was carried out by the Polish company “PKZ” together with architect Peter Blums.
The building can be explored in full – from the basement to the attic. Every room is full of fascinating artifacts, interior items, and furniture, creating a very realistic illusion as if you had stepped into the 18th century. All the objects on display are authentic witnesses to those times. We especially recommend paying attention to the unique murals on the walls and ceilings.
Nor has glazier Helms, the building's first owner, been forgotten here: nowadays, a real glass workshop operates in Mencendorff House, where you can see how glass is made and even take part in the process of making it.
