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Fra Riga Guide:

The Reutern house

The Reutern house is a 17th century National Heritage monument that in 1980 was put under the jurisdiction of the Latvia Journalists Union. At the same time its restoration was started in the course of which valuable ceiling and wall paintings, fragments of the original interior decoration were discovered. As a result a historical interior unique for Latvia was renovated. In 1990 the Reutern House began a new page in its history when it opened its doors as the Journalists’ House. Today active cultural and public life goes on in the ancient interiors. Concerts and exhibitions are organized, congresses, seminars, press conferences, receptions, working lunches are held, as well as family festivities and parties in a romantic atmosphere.

Facade

The history of the Reutern House has entered its fourth century now. The House was named after its first owner Johann von Reutern and his family. The house was built in 1685 and the architect of the house is believed to be Rupert Bindeschuh (1645-1698). The Reutern House marks the emergence of a new type of dwelling house in Riga and it is a part of the original architectural ensemble of Old Riga. In the Middle Ages the dwelling houses were placed with the gable towards street but the Reutern House is facing the street with its longest flank. It helps to improve both the lighting of the premises and drainage of rain water from the roof. The facade is decorated with six ionic pilasters of the Order. The entrance is located in the centre of the facade, it is accentuated by an ornate stone portal.

The portal reliefs depict the portraits of Johann von Reutern and his wife. Vestibule. Johann Reutern was born in 1635 in Lubeck. After arriving in Riga he speedily gained high position in the local society: in 1680 he became the elder of the Great Guild but after being appointed the squire in 1691 in Sweden, von Reutern took the post of the Supreme Trade Senior and Councillor in Riga. His active life ended in 1698 and Johann von Reutern was buried at the Dome Church. His son Johann von Reutern Junior did not allow the fame of the family became dimmer either. In 1703 he became the elder of the Great Guild and in 1709 he became Riga City Councillor. At the permanent exhibition at the Reutern House everyone can take a look at the Reutern family tree whose off - springs used to be numerous in Latvia. The vestibule interior rebuilt during renovation of the house from 1985-1990 has black and white marble floor. Dutch tile band, baroque shapes of the staircase balustrade - all of it, including the layout of the ground floor rooms, has been restored to its original look and inspires imagination.

The cellar

Today the Baroque and Rococo halls, as well as the basement Vaulted halls and the Fireplace hall are used in a variety of ways. The clavichord is played, small concerts are held, painting exhibitions opened, these rooms are part of the whole spirit of the house. Diplomatic Salons, receptions, seminars and round table discussions are organized; reporters and journalists come for press conferences.