National Library of Latvia

Orientation

The National Library of Latvia occupies the striking Castle of Light (Gaismas pils) at Mūkusalas iela 3, on the south-west side of the Daugava. From the Old Town, it is an easy landmark to spot: the building rises in a long, sharply angled slope rather than a conventional tower.

Latvian-American architect Gunārs Birkerts designed the building, which opened in 2014. Its form draws on the Latvian folklore image of the Glass Mountain and the Castle of Light. The library itself dates to 1919; this is its purpose-built contemporary home.

What to see inside

Start at the Level 1 Welcome Desk and move through the atrium and public floors. The building is as much the attraction as its collections: ramps, bridges, reading areas and the tall internal volume reveal how the library is arranged.

Look out for:

• Exhibitions on books, Latvian cultural history and changing subjects from the collections.
• The Cabinet of Folksongs (Dainu skapis), the historic card catalogue of Latvian folk-song texts listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
• The People’s Bookshelf, a central shelf formed from books donated from around the world.
• Levels 11 and 12, whose observation areas look across the river towards Riga’s historic centre when they are not in use for events.

A digital guide, available in English, leads an independent visit through the building. Guided tours cover the architecture, services and principal objects.

Access and building rules

Visitors may enter Levels 1–12 and see exhibitions without registering as library readers. A reader card is required for the reading rooms and to use library collections and services.

Important: outerwear and bags of any size must be left in the Level 1 cloakroom or lockers. Lockers use a €1 coin deposit, returned after use. Ask at the Welcome Desk about observation-deck access: events and technical work can close it at short notice.

The building is accessible, and wheelchairs are available for visits.

Getting there and timing

Use the Nacionālā bibliotēka stop, served by buses, trams and trolleybuses. Tram routes 1, 5, 8, 10 and 14 stop here; numerous bus routes also serve the stop. The walk from the Old Town crosses the river and gives the best approach views of the building.

The Welcome Desk is generally open Monday to Friday 10:00–20:00 and Saturday 11:00–18:00; the library is closed Sunday and on public holidays. Upper floors and individual reading rooms have shorter hours. Parking is available at Mūkusalas iela 5; bicycle stands are at the entrance.