Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation is located in the Old Town in the reconstructed building of the former Dome. It is not only the oldest museum in Latvia, but also in Europe.

The origins of the museum date back to the 18th century. The fund is based on the rich collection of exhibits Riga physician Nikolaus von Himzelya (1729-1764). After the death of Nikolaus, his mother, according to the will of his son, gave the exhibits, which included scientific, artistic, and historical items in the gift Riga. Riga rulers in February 1773 was instructed to establish a museum named after him Himzelya. Then the museum was housed in the dissecting room, located on the street. Kaleju 34/36. Up to now this building, unfortunately, did not survive.

In 1791 the museum moved to the east wing of the Duomo, specially equipped for the needs of the museum and the city library. In 1816, the museum opened a cabinet of Arts, and in the late 19th century - the mint room. The development of the museum is connected with the activities of the various companies, the collection of which were presented at the museum in 1858. In 1890 the company, which took part in the life of the museum (Society for the Study of History and Antiquities of the Baltic provinces of Russia, literary practical Union citizens and others.) Moved together with collections, the Dom ensemble, which for the needs of the museum built the building on the street. Palasta 4.

In 1932, the Dome Museum, including existing collections, has joined the list of objects of the Office of the monuments of the Republic of Latvia, but four years later was closed. Simultaneously, the city created a municipal government Riga City Historical Museum. The development of the newly established museum has been suspended in connection with the Second World War, and later it prevented the Soviet occupation. During this entire difficult period more than once changed its name since 1964 and to this day it is called the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation.

In 2005, the Museum of the History of Riga and Navigation was transformed into a State agency. Today, the museum holds more than half a million items, divided into 80 collections. The most important collections are archaeological and numismatic. As part of the museum's 3 branches - Mencendorf House in Riga, Latvia and the Museum of Photography Museum of Ainaži Naval School.