Three Brothers, Riga

The tradition that members of one handicraft live on one street was in full force and effect in medieval Riga, too. So we can find three dwelling-houses surviving from the former Backer Street side by side to each other, perhaps this is the reason why these houses are called Three Brothers.
The oldest brother was built at the end of the 15th century, it is the only premise that survived originally from that time, the next house is dated from 1646, but the last building is from the end of the 17th century. With the pediments facing the street these houses present the main principles of medieval building manner.
Reconstruction carried out by P.Saulîtis and G.Jansons.

Museum of Architecture is settled in 2 of these buildings.

On Maza Pils iela no 17, 19 and 21 are three old picturesque houses called Three Brothers. The oldest house is the white house on no 17. It dates from the 15th century and is the oldest preserved dwelling house in Riga. Old records say it was used as a bakery in 1697. The yellow house on no 19 got its present look in the 17th century, and the green house on no 21 got its look in the 18th century.
The Latvian Museum of Architecture is housed in the Three Brothers.

These residential buildings are charming, looks so much to be medieval. It is said, these three brothers (Tri Brali) are best examples of medieval buildings in Riga. The three brothers are different in years they exist too. The eldest brother is from 15th century and it is the oldest stone dwelling structure in Riga. Other brothers were built in 17 – 18th centuries, on one of them you can see even date when it was constructed.

The Three Brothers are said to be the best example for medieval residencial buildings in Riga. The oldest house (no. 17) was built in the 15th century, its brothers in the 17th and 18th centuries. No. 19 houses the Museum of Architecture.

These are dwelling houses, which were built in Middle Ages. Among Three Brothers the house with number 17 is the oldest stone building in Rīga which was built around 15th century. Another two buildings which stand beside were built later, which is also seen by different architecture styles. Three Brothers reflects the houses' building in ancient times when on small building plot were built houses. On the upper floors once there were stored goods.
Interesting that in Tallinn there are three old dwelling houses which are situated together and with name Three Sisters.

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The Three Brothers are three houses on Pils Street that were built in medieval times.
It is a perfect example that shows that back then members of all guilds used to live next to eachother.

The "White Brother" is the oldest house, dating back to the 15th century. It has typical characteristic of Latvian medieval architecture and is the only premise that is still in its original structure. It now houses the Latvian Museum of Architecture, which was founded in 1994.

The "Yellow Brother" in the middle dates back to 1646. The date is written on the facade.

The 2Green Brother2 is the youngest - constructed in the middle of the 18th century.

Visit the oldest dwelling houses of Riga - The Three Brothers.
The Three Brothers represent different stages in the architectual development of Riga. The oldest brother (No. 17) was built at the end of the 15th century. No. 19 houses the Latvian Museum of Architecture.

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Numbers 17, 19 and 21 in Maza pils are know as three brothers. The oldest of them with the Germanic step-gable and it dates back to the 15th century. They claim that it is the oldest domestic building in Riga.

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This architectural ensemble that bears unofficial name Tris Brali or Three Brothers in English is located in the heart of the Old Town. It's a very good sample of medieval Riga dwelling buildings.
The oldest house called the White Brother is the most medieval and dates back to the 15th century. It has typical characteristic of Latvian medieval architecture and is the only premise that survived originally from that time.
The year of birth of the middle Yellow Brother is 1646. The date is written on the facade. The Green Brother is the youngest. It was constructed in the middle of the 18th century. With the pediments facing the street these houses present the main principles of the medieval architectural manner.
The Latvian Museum of Architecture that is housed in one of these buildings, and namely in the White Brother, was founded in 1994. The museum has a database of Latvian architects from 1869 up to the present. Its drawing collection contains up to a thousand original drawings and plans as well as qualitative blueprints and photocopies. The museum also offers some temporary exhibition programs.

The tradition that members of one handicraft lived on one street was in full force and effect in medieval Riga. These three dwelling houses are remains of former Backer Street, which of course was inhabited by backers. Standing side by side to each other, the buildings form a typical ensemble. And this is also the reason why they are called Three Brothers.

This ensemble is a good sample of medieval Riga dwelling buildings. The oldest house No.17 was built in the XV century, No.19 - in 1646, No.21 - in 1718. inthe inner yard you can find walled up portals of old Riga houses.