Žanis Lipke Memorial
About This Museum
It's a little-known fact that the largest single rescue of Jews in Latvia happened not in a grand institution, but right here, hidden beneath a woodshed. The Žanis Lipke Memorial honors the incredible courage of a working-class Latvian who saved over 50 lives during the Nazi occupation. Stepping onto the property feels like entering a secret world, where the main structure is an intentionally raw, charcoal-black volume that seems to hover silently over the land. Inside, the atmosphere is deliberately hushed and dim, guiding you through cramped, evocative spaces that tell a story of immense risk and quiet heroism. It’s a profoundly moving and intimate experience that stays with you long after you leave.
Collection Highlights
The heart of the memorial is the recreated underground bunker itself—a cramped, earth-floored hideaway where you can almost feel the weight of silence the refugees had to maintain. Personal artifacts, photographs, and audio testimonies from survivors are woven throughout, making their stories intensely personal and immediate.
Visitor Information
Given its intimate size, it's best to book your visit in advance on their website. Finding it is part of the adventure—it's tucked away on Ķīpsala island, feeling wonderfully off the beaten path.
Architecture & Building
The building is a masterclass in modern, conceptual design. It’s a stark, geometric form clad in charred wood, meant to resemble both a boat and a humble shed, blending raw materiality with powerful metaphor.
Contact & Location
Address: LV-1048, Āgenskalns, Āgenskalna apkaime, Rīga, Latvija
Phone: +371 67 202 539
Website: Visit Website
