Continuing the extensive reconstruction and restoration works of the "Arsenāls" Art Museum under the leadership of SJSC “State Real Estate” (SRE) archaeological research was carried out in the inner courtyard and basement, which revealed significant evidence of the development of the territory before the construction of the "Arsenāls" itself in the early 19th century.
Archaeological supervision and research works were mainly carried out at the construction site of the new elevator shaft, between the former city defensive wall and the filled-in moat. Supervision and research were carried out by archaeologist, dr. hist. Artūrs Tomsons. During the research, the site of the intended elevator shaft was explored in the inner courtyard, revealing both evidence from the early 19th century related to the construction of the "Arsenāls" and layers of a cultural layer two centuries older. Meanwhile, during the reconstruction of the basement floor of the Arsenal building, the backfill of the former castle moat was studied.
During the research work, evidence was discovered from the 20th century to the 16th century. The evidence found reveals the various uses of the “Arsenāls” and the adjacent territory and its changes over time. Both historical evidence that the building was used as a warehouse and things related to the daily life of the residents of the surrounding quarters of Riga were found in the research area.
"These discoveries make a significant contribution to understanding the history of the development of the Torņa Street area before it became the “Arsenāls” territory. However, the nature of the cultural layer indicates a sufficiently intensive human activity in this former part of the city outskirts outside the defensive wall, which began to develop more only in the 19th century. It is essential to always conduct research in full, indicate the correct origin and use of objects, as well as consider the context in which the evidence is found," says archaeologist Artūrs Tomsons.
During the archaeological research, the remains of an older building were uncovered in the courtyard, which are tentatively dated to the second half of the 18th century. The exposed structures are made of a single brick-thick wall, beneath which a symmetrically placed strip of vertically driven wooden piles is revealed, indicating the strengthening of the foundations of a building. The use of the territory in the late 18th century - early 19th century is also evidenced by the found faience plate, but the exact date of the structure will be obtained when dendrochronological dating of the wood samples has been carried out.
Evidence that has survived from the 17th century has also been discovered, for example, fragments of three different types of oven pots, decorated with elements characteristic of Mannerist art, including trellises (a four-leaf clover motif). Among the artifacts were also rare archaeological finds, such as a fragment of a stone jug made in western Germany in the 16th–17th centuries.
The everyday life of ancient Riga residents is evidenced by their lost everyday objects – fragments of spoons, thimbles, belt buckles, while the military nature of “Arsenāls” is evidenced by musket and pistol lead bullets, uniform cockades, buttons, etc., However, relatively few such military artifacts have been found. A relatively rare find was a cowrie shell from the Indian Ocean, which was often used as jewelry by medieval Riga women.
Currently, the site is undergoing roof and skylight installation work, roof insulation work, masonry work, crack repair, UK construction work, floor construction work, basement painting work, 1st floor plaster construction work, heating, ventilation, air conditioning installation work, fog system construction work, electrical construction work, heating unit construction and metal structure construction work in the attic. Waterproofing works have been completed with Biodry's innovative technology for preventing capillary moisture without interfering with the structure of the building; such technology is being used for the first time in SRE’s construction experience. Until now, it has only been used in Cēsis St. John's Church, Cēsis History and Art Museum, Latvian National Theatre and Rundāle Palace.
In the summer of 2026, when the Saeima goes on summer vacation, reconstruction work on Torņa Street will begin in the section from Jēkaba Street to Arsenāls Street.
The reconstruction and restoration project of the “Arsenāls” Art Museum is financed from the specific support objective 5.1.1. “Promoting integrated social, economic and environmental development of local territories and cultural heritage, tourism and safety in urban functional areas” of the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027, attracted by the Ministry of Culture, and the financing of the measure 5.1.1.5. “Renovation of a unique European cultural heritage to promote its accessibility by developing cultural services”.
In 2021, the 1st round of the reconstruction of “Arsenāls” was completed under the leadership of SRE, which included the renovation of the building’s facade, window restoration and foundation waterproofing.
“Arsenāls” is a model of classicist architecture and the renovation project is part of the regulatory framework directed by the Ministry of Culture for the preservation of unique cultural monuments of national importance, which are located in the urban planning monument “Riga City Historic Centre” and at the same time in the territory of the UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site “Riga Historic Centre”. Within the framework of this project, it is planned to develop five objects in the historical centre of Riga – the Great Guild Hall, “Arsenāls”, Valņu Street and its surroundings, Daugavas gāte, as well as to create expositions of the Latvian National Museum of History in Riga Castle.
About SRE
Currently, 110 projects are being implemented under the management of SJSC “State Real Estate” with a total investment of 410 million euros. SRE provides professional real estate management and administration for 411 buildings and structures, which include 1096 buildings with an area of 968 thousand m2, as well as land under buildings with an area of 627 ha, and 3,093 land properties with a total area of 860 ha. In 2024, SRE received the “Sustainability Index” platinum award of the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Institute for the fourth time, confirming the consistently high sustainability of management and the company's operations. The company was founded in 1996, its 100% shareholder is the Ministry of Finance.
Additional information for the media:
SJSC "State Real Estate"
Corporate Communications and Sustainability Department
Tel.: +371 20235301
E-mail: komunikacija@vni.lv
(Translated with the help of DeepL Translate)
