Riga Castle, for many centuries, stands on the banks of the Western Dvina (Daugava). During his long and complicated history of the castle destroyed and rebuilt more than once, he has survived many wars, it changed not a single ruler. Currently, Riga Castle, the residence of the Latvian president.

The construction of the castle on the banks of the Daugava River began in 1330 on the site of the former hospital of the Holy Spirit. Construction of the castle began after the destruction of the old city during the seizure of the Livonian Order. And the residents of Riga, guilty of the destruction of the old castle itself had to build a new Order Castle. Built the castle became the residence of the masters of the Livonian Order. Order Castle was built more than 20 years. Dietrich led the project master Craig builds and House of the Blackheads in Riga.

A new war between the Livonian Order and Riga took place in 1481. In 1484 Order Castle was again ravaged by inhabitants of Riga. Since such clashes have occurred repeatedly, the master of the Livonian Order transferred his throne to another city: at the beginning it Wieland, and then Cesis.

When the Order was once again in a better position Valmiera was concluded an agreement under which residents of Riga were required to restore the Order Castle for 6 years. But the recovery was delayed until 1515. Until the very last moment of the existence of the Livonian Order (until 1562) the castle was the residence of the knights belonging to the Order, and the governor.

Since the second half of the 16th century the owners of the castle were Polish (1578-1621), Swedish (1621-1710 and Russian (1710-1917) rulers, as well as close to them structure. Since 1922 the Riga Castle became the residence of the president of Latvia. During First World War and the years of Soviet occupation, the castle occupied by different organizations. From 1940 to February 1941, the castle housed the Council of People's Commissars of the Latvian SSR. In 1941, in the northern part of the Riga Castle the Palace of Pioneers. Later settled here museum, castle Park held an exhibition of sculptures. The residence of the president of the castle again became a June 12, 1995. In addition, in the southern part of the castle is a museum exhibition of foreign art, as well as the Museum of the History of Latvia and others.

Originally the castle was built as a closed unit with a quadrangular courtyard. In the corners of the fortress towers were erected, the most important of these are considered to be two towers located diagonally - is the tower of St. Spirit and the Lead Tower.

The first floor of the castle played a defensive role, in addition, it housed offices and utility rooms. On the second floor are the main living quarters, there was a room Master of the Order, the Knights bedroom and dining room, a church and a meeting room. The third floor was a weapons platform for shooting. On the upper floor there was no partitions and ceilings.

Riga Castle device is quite simple, which is primarily explained by the military value of the building, in addition, the residence of the leaders of the Livonian Order erected inhabitants of Riga forcibly, which also left its mark on the device of the Riga Castle. In the cellars of the castle the years have found subterranean passages, partially covered with the mid-19th century, during the demolition of the ramparts of Riga.

First, most global restructuring of the castle dates to the middle of the 17th century, at a time when the castle occupied by the Swedes. At this time in the northern part of the Riga Castle was built residential Governor-General. Toward the end of the 17th century, the castle was built a large warehouse for ammunition, which in times of Russian rule was converted into a 3-storey building for the provincial institutions. (1783-1789 gg.). The second floor was divided into two windows extended, by partitions large room divided into smaller rooms. The church in its original form was maintained until 1870.

In 1816 on the site of the destroyed wooden buildings located in the northern part of the castle it was equipped by a large garden. A year later, in the tower of St. Spirit appeared observatory, because of what the pointy roof of the tower had to be dismantled. The last large reconstruction of the castle in the fall of 1938-1939. Then the work of the architect led Eizens Laube. During this period, upgraded lobby, created a large luxury room, intended for banquets. During these years, Riga Castle has acquired a modern look.

Riga Castle today is an important cultural and historical monuments of the city, is in a pretty sorry state. According to the approved program "Heritage 2018", the government is going to conduct the restoration of the castle's most important cultural monuments of the city, including Riga Castle. It is planned that the repair of the castle will be completed by 2015.