Museum of the Occupation of Latvia is a necessary spot to learn about the history of modern Riga. The facade of the building is as dark and grim as the information within it but what else can you expect from a museum cataloguing the atrocities committed under the Soviet and Nazi-occupying regimes. The museum's mission statement is to ‘Show what happened in Latvia, its land and people under two occupying totalitarian regimes from 1940 to 1991’ and to ‘Remind the world of the crimes committed by foreign powers against the state and people of Latvia.’

A mixture of readings and videos, the Museum of Occupation is truly an eye-opener. Guides are available though you can follow the displays at your own pace. A fascinating and sobering experience, this museum is an essential to understanding this city and the relationship between Latvians and Russians living here to this day.