Few museums can claim such a haunting duality: this building served as both the nerve center of Soviet surveillance and a prison where countless Latvians faced interrogation and imprisonment.

Located in central Riga, the KGB Building stands as one of the most significant sites documenting Latvia's Soviet occupation. Known locally as the "Corner House" (Stūra māja), this imposing structure witnessed some of the darkest chapters in Latvian history.

Today, as part of the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia, it opens its doors to visitors seeking to understand the mechanics of totalitarian control and the human cost of political repression during five decades of Soviet rule.

A Building's Dark Legacy

The Corner House earned its infamous reputation as the headquarters of Soviet security services in Latvia from 1940 onward. First under the NKVD, then the KGB, this building became synonymous with fear throughout the Soviet occupation.

Within these walls, security officers orchestrated mass deportations, conducted surveillance on Latvian citizens, and suppressed resistance movements. The building's basement cells held political prisoners, intellectuals, and ordinary Latvians suspected of opposing Soviet authority. Many who entered through these doors never returned to their families, either perishing during interrogation or being deported to Siberian labor camps.

Chronicles of Surveillance and Repression

The permanent exhibition presents authentic documents, photographs, and artifacts that illuminate KGB operations in Latvia. Visitors encounter actual surveillance equipment used to monitor citizens, files detailing the extensive informant network that permeated Latvian society, and personal belongings of those imprisoned.

The display includes deportation records, interrogation protocols, and testimonies from survivors. These materials reveal how the security apparatus functioned on both institutional and deeply personal levels, showing the systematic nature of political repression and its devastating impact on Latvian families and communities.

Walking Through History's Shadow

What sets this museum apart is the authentic setting itself. Guided tours take visitors into the basement prison cells where actual interrogations took place. These cramped, cold spaces remain largely unchanged, preserving the oppressive atmosphere that prisoners experienced.

The building's corridors and offices maintain their original character, allowing visitors to walk the same hallways used by KGB officers. This immersive experience transforms historical understanding from abstract concepts into tangible reality. The museum doesn't sanitize history but presents it unflinchingly, making it unsuitable for children under 12 yet essential for understanding totalitarian systems.

KGB Building - Exhibition „History of KGB Operations In Latvia“ Highlights & Tips

• Basement Prison Cells Guided tours through the authentic KGB detention cells where prisoners were held and interrogated. These preserved spaces offer the most powerful and sobering experience in the museum.
• Surveillance Equipment Display Actual devices and technology used by the KGB to monitor Latvian citizens, revealing the extensive reach of the secret police into everyday life.
• Personal Testimonies Survivor accounts and documentation that put human faces to the historical events, including stories of resistance and resilience.
• Age Recommendation The museum is not recommended for visitors younger than 12 years due to the intense and disturbing nature of the subject matter.
• Guided Tours Book a guided tour to access the basement prison cells and gain deeper insight into the building's history from knowledgeable guides.
• Allow Sufficient Time Plan for at least 1.5 to 2 hours to fully experience the exhibition and guided tour. The subject matter deserves thoughtful reflection.
• Central Location The Corner House is centrally located in Riga, making it easily accessible and combinable with other historical sites in the city center.

Visiting the KGB Building is not a comfortable experience, but it is a necessary one. This museum preserves memories that some would prefer forgotten, ensuring that future generations understand the true cost of totalitarian rule.\n\nBy walking through these authentic spaces and confronting this difficult history, visitors gain insight into both the fragility of freedom and the resilience of those who endured oppression. The Corner House stands as both a memorial to victims and a warning about the dangers of unchecked state power.