SJSC “State Real Estate” (SRE) continues the improvement of Riga Castle and begins improvement works on the Daugavas gāte and the forecourt square. As part of the project, the rainwater sewer networks, water supply and domestic sewage networks will be rebuilt to prevent the impact of water on the castle walls, while lighting and an information stand are planned to be installed on the southern facade of the convent (castellum), according to SRE board member Jeļena Gavrilova.
As part of the project, the climate of the basement rooms of the building will be improved by diverting rainwater at ground level to the infiltration cassettes in the green areas, domestic sewage pipes will be replaced and the courtyard will be cleaned up. Archaeological works will be supervised by archaeologists from the Latvian National Museum of History. It is planned to build lighting on the Daugavas gāte facade of Riga Castle, as well as install a digital information stand. At the end of last year, domestic sewage repair works were already carried out in the courtyard of the Riga Castle convent (castellum). The works are being implemented by SIA “HAGBERG” (Ltd.).
“The restoration of the Daugavas gāte provides significant benefits to the city and the Latvian National Museum of History – the impact of rainwater on the walls of the castle basement will be prevented, reducing humidity in the museum's exhibition halls and protecting valuable exhibits. The construction of the renovated sewage system will ensure the operation of the museum. In addition, an effective rainwater drainage system will be created, thus also improving the city's environment and promoting sustainable development. In turn, the new facade lighting will highlight the 16th-century historical facade and texture even in the dark,” says J. Gavrilova.
The project is planned to be completed by the end of summer 2025. The total funding of EUR 1.69 million (including VAT) has been raised by the Ministry of Culture from the European Regional Development Fund for the project "Reconstruction of the stormwater drainage, water supply and sewerage networks at the Daugavas gāte and Forecourt construction of facade lighting and information boards" and the state budget. Technical adjustments to the submitted project by the Central Finance and Contracting Agency are currently being made.
During the construction works, the Museum will be open to the public and all safety and organisational measures will be taken into account to ensure continuity of work and adequate security for visitors and staff. The works are to be carried out considering the cultural and historical status of the site as part of the architectural monument of national importance "Riga Castle Ensemble with Bastion Fragments" and UNESCO World Heritage Site No 852 "Historic Centre of Riga".
The implementation of the Daugavas gāte reconstruction project started already in 2022 with the announcement of a tender for the implementation of the reconstruction works, but the tender procedure was terminated because the bids submitted exceeded the project financing.
About SRE
Under the management of SJSC “State Real Estate”, 110 projects with a total investment of EUR 410 million are currently being implemented. SRE provides professional real estate management and administration for 427 building and construction properties, including 1089 buildings with a total area of 0.996 million square meters, as well as land under buildings with an area of 591 hectares, and 3 261 land properties with a total area of 895 hectares. In 2024, SRE received the "Sustainability Index" platinum award from the Institute of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability for the fourth time, confirming the consistently high sustainability of its management and company operations. The company was founded in 1996 and 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)
