The language selection of the House of the Black Heads audio guide has been expanded to include two new languages – French and Italian. As a result, the audio guide is now available in a total of nine languages, making the story of the legendary Brotherhood of Blackheads and the history of Riga even more accessible and engaging for international visitors.

Overall, the audio guide is now available in Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Polish, Finnish, German, English, Italian, and French. This modern audio guide was introduced by the House of the Black Heads in the summer of 2024 and received great feedback from the very first days. Over the course of a year, it has been used by more than 15,000 visitors and continues to receive excellent reviews every day.

The House of the Black Heads is one of Riga’s most popular tourist attractions for international travelers, as reflected in the statistics – approximately 90% of visitors are foreign tourists, and in 2024 the total number of visitors reached 112,660.

“Considering that the majority of our visitors are international guests, it is very important for us to enhance the user experience and ensure that everyone can explore the story of the House of the Blackheads in a language they understand. We are pleased that the audio guide is now available in French and Italian. We will continue to expand the language selection in the future – our goal is to make this experience accessible to the widest possible audience,” emphasizes Linda Lūkina-Kalda, Director of the House of the Black Heads.

The House of the Black Heads audio guide allows visitors to explore the historic building at their own pace and in their preferred language. The device automatically detects the visitor’s location within the house and plays the narration for the corresponding room, enabling a full understanding of the building’s history and legends. The audio guide is available in addition to the entrance ticket for €3 and is intended for individual visitors.

The House of the Black Heads was built in 1334 as part of Riga’s Town Hall Square ensemble. Located in the heart of Old Town Riga, it is a city landmark and one of the most important venues for celebrations in the city. For centuries, the House of the Blackheads has served as the central representation building of the city for hosting distinguished guests.