The block of Jelgava's Old Town Street is a unique place preserved in the urban environment till nowadays. It is the oldest part of the city with wooden buildings that were not destroyed during the Second World War. The built-up area was formed between the 18th and the beginning of the 20th century. The house at 14 Vecpilsētas Street - Jelgava Old Town House - is an architectural monument of national importance and one of the oldest wooden residential houses in Jelgava that has survived to this day. The Jelgava Old Town house once had a living rooms on the upper floors and stores on the ground floor. Stoves and ovens were used for heating. Water was drawn from a well, but in the 19th and 20th centuries a water pipe was built on the street. There were sheds for firewood and economic needs in the yard of the house. In 2022, with the completion of ambitious renovation works, Jelgava's Old Town House was reborn in a new form and is now waiting for visitors to show, tell the stories of the house and help conjure up in the visitors' imaginations the old days of Jelgava, its busy streets, the clatter of horseshoes on the stone pavement and children's frolicking in the courtyards of the houses. In order for the house to be as authentic as possible, technologies close to history were observed during the renovation process - existing and reclaimed building materials were maximally used in the ceilings, walls, and floors. Thus, when visiting the house, everyone can touch the ancient bricks and wooden elements in the interior of the building, see the partially restored painting of the window bay and admire how the masters created the ceiling in the 18th century. The Jelgava Old Town House exposition is arranged in the historical apartment. The exposition stories are hidden in three large golden chests. This is an engaging sight for anyone of any age. Innovative and interactive solutions are used in the exposition - video materials, animated photos and audio guides, which bring the visitor back to antiquity through everyday sounds and visual stories, while chests and drawers encourage visitors to look into them to learn more.
Jelgava's Old Town House also has a seminar hall for organizing conferences, meetings, as well as various creative and social events for up to 30 people. The room is equipped with a large screen and a magnetic board. Room rental fee – 10 euros per hour, use of additional equipment – 10 euros per hour. Jelgava's Old Town House welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is recommended to book group visits in advance by calling 63005407, 27309673 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Entrance fee for adults 4 euros, pupils, students, pensioners 1.50 euros, family ticket 6 euros.
At Vecpilsētas Street 2, there is a House of Latvian traditions and crafts. The weavers of the "Austras raksti" folk dress making and artisan workshops run here. As a result of the renovation works, the building has regained its 19th century appearance both externally and internally. Here you can see culturally and historically valuable wall decorations, stoves, the restored 17th century mantel chimney, which is in working order. The guests have the opportunity to watch demonstrations of weavers' crafts every day. By applying in advance guests can experience a guided tour, learn about the building's history and layout, listen to the story of the building's residents and their occupations, discover the nuances of the weavers' work, see how the folk costume is made, and also try the weaver's skills themselves. In the weavers' workshop, several lever looms of different widths are available for viewing, for weaving scarves, woollens, striped breeches, bodices and other fabrics, looms with a pull device for weaving Zemgale region patterned breeches, belt looms, as well as the semi-automatic single-pivot loom by P. Viļumsons. Weaving Zemgale patterned breeches on a loom with a pull device and the skill of weaving on Pēter Viļumson's semi-automatic one-pamin loom are included in the list of intangible cultural heritage values of Latvia. Weaving enthusiasts can apply for individual weaving training. One prior booking everyone can participate in master classes and educational programs about Latvian lifestyle. The master class of bread baked in a real wood-fired oven, master classes of pancakes baked on a wood-burning stove and hunger pancakes are especially popular among guests. It is also possible to apply for master classes on cooking gingerbread, pies and other traditional dishes prepared on a wood stove and in the oven. Special mention should be made of cooking soup in a mantle chimney, as this is the only known restored mantle chimney in Jelgava and many have never seen this ancient flue system. The folk costumes of Latvia’s regions, as well as their accessories, can be purchased both on the spot and by placing an order.
House of Latvian traditions and crafts welcomes visitors from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is recommended to book group visits in advance by calling 29116210 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Entrance fee for adults 5 euros, pupils, students, pensioners 2 euros, family ticket 10 euros. It is possible to rent a yard for different events: up to 3 hours - 37.19 EUR + VAT; from 4 to 6 hours - 49.59 EUR + VAT; from 7 to 8 hours - 66.12 EUR + VAT; from 9 to 12 hours - 99.17 EUR + VAT
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Jelgavas valstspilsētas pašvaldības iestāde
"Jelgavas reģionālais tūrisma centrs"
