Architecture and interior of the buildings of the Saeima Chandelier in the Plenary Chamber Main building of the Saeima The buildings of the Saeima are located first academically educated Latvian in the northwest part of Old Town Riga architect. Over more than its 100- along Jēkaba iela. Borders of this group year existence, the building has been of buildings are marked by Torņa iela, reconstructed several times. One of the Aldaru iela, Mazā Trokšņu iela, and major reconstructions was done after Klostera iela. the building was maliciously set on fire in 1921, which destroyed its interior, Main building including the Plenary Chamber. of the Saeima The demolished parts and the Plenary The main building of the Saeima is Chamber were restored according to located on Jēkaba iela 11. It contains the the design created by architect Eižens Yellow Room Plenary Chamber, as well as offices of Laube and adapted to the needs of the the Speaker and other members of the parliament of the Republic of Latvia. Presidium, other public officials and The façade, as well as the lanterns, staff members of the Saeima. The main the decorative fence posts and chains, building of the Saeima is not only the are distinctive features of Eclecticism. workplace of MPs but also a prominent The coat of arms of Latvia is placed architectural monument. It is notable for above the entrance to the main building a number of magnificent and historical of the Saeima, while the façade features rooms that are used for receiving a statue of the mythological Latvian visitors, as well as for hosting meetings, strongman Lāčplēsis (Bearslayer). press conferences and other activities. The Plenary Chamber is the most The main building of the Saeima was significant room in the main building constructed in the period from 1863 of the Saeima, in which Members of to 1867 for the Livonian Knighthood Parliament come together for sittings. according to the design made by Robert It acquired its current appearance in 1997, Pflug, a Baltic-German architect, when it was completely transformed and Jānis Fridrihs Baumanis, the under the guidance of architect Andris Voting Room Fact Sheet 8 v08.05 ENG; 18.02.19. Saeima of the Republic of Latvia • Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia • phone: +371 67087321 • www.saeima.lv • e-mail: [email protected] Veidemanis, who used the interior meetings, conferences, discussions, wall surrounding Old Town Riga, design ideas created by Eižens Laube in as well as other meetings and events. and it was built in 1704 as a typical 1922. The Chamber is divided into two The Yellow Room is a room that was residential house. The building on parts – seating for the MPs and a visitors’ once commonly considered a lobby Torņa iela 5 was constructed in 1685. gallery. The arrangement of the MPs room. In this room MPs give interviews During the course of centuries, these seats has undergone fundamental and meet with guests and visitors to the buildings have been renovated many change: taking the semi-circular shape Saeima. The décor of the room, with its times. The latest reconstruction of of an amphitheatre, it is directed characteristic rose motif, is in the style the building took place from 1999 towards the Presidium area; before the of Louis XVI. Eclectic-style furniture to 2001. During the reconstruction, reconstruction in the early 1980’s there in this room has been preserved from a number of unique wall paintings were windows facing the courtyard. the era of the Livonian Knighthood. dating back to 18th and 19th centuries The Plenary Chamber comprises seats for The large mirror has also been preserved were uncovered in several rooms, and all one hundred Members of Parliament, from the 19th century, while a portrait a fragment of ancient Riga’s defensive as well as special seats for the President of Jānis Čakste, President of the wall was uncovered in the basement. of Latvia, the Prime Minister and People’s Council and the Constitutional The building on Jēkaba iela 16 houses Ministers. The decorative elements and Assembly, and also the first President of offices of parliamentary groups, the furniture of the Plenary Chamber are Latvia, graces the opposite wall. committees, MPs and staff members of made in Latvia with local materials. Just The Guest Room is another function the Saeima, as well as the Visitor and like in Laube’s time, dark brown panels Information Centre. cover the walls. Above the Presidium, room of the Saeima. It contains th there is an oak-carved coat of arms of the allegorical paintings by the 19 -century The façade of the building reveals both Republic of Latvia that was once created French painter Auguste Debay. During the horizontal window lintels which to match the sketch by sculptor Rihards the wall restoration works in 2017, wall are characteristic of Classicism and the Maurs and later restored according to paintings were revealed in the room. typically Baroque portals. A mansard photographs. The Chamber contains These paintings are unique as they storey was reconstructed in the late plaques with the first two Articles of the feature multiple colours and have been 1920’s. The interior of the building Constitution, which have been recreated created in freehand technique. There are successfully combines elements of according to photographs. The plaques few such Historicism era wall paintings various styles: plaster ornaments, are a symbolical reminder that Latvia is of artistic value still remaining in Latvia. ancient arches and metal decorations. an independent democratic republic and During official visits, the Speaker or The building on Jēkaba iela 10/12 that the sovereign power of the State of the Deputy Speakers welcome foreign accommodates committee meeting Latvia is vested in the people of Latvia. ambassadors and guests in the White rooms, as well as offices of MPs and Next to the Presidium seats, there are two Room. Ceremonial events and press staff members of the Saeima. It was flags: the flag of Latvia and the flag of the conferences are held there as well. originally built for the Livonian European Union. The splendid ceiling The most striking part of the Neo- Knighthood. The building’s façade decorations, which architect Eižens Rococo-style interior is the mirrors, facing Jēkaba iela is decorated with Laube designed by combining antique which are decorated with rocaille motifs. plaster ornaments of Neo-Baroque, ornaments with traditional Latvian sun Neo-Rococo and Neo-Classical styles. The Speaker and the Deputy Speakers and oak-leaf motifs, have remained meet with foreign visitors in the The reconstruction of another Saeima unchanged. The Plenary Chamber, Brown Room. The Neo-Rococo style building at Jēkaba iela 6/8 was along with its great chandelier, was dominates the room’s décor and the completed in the autumn of 2016. destroyed in the fire of 1921. Particularly suite of furniture. A painting by the The building, initially constructed for attractive are the Neo-Renaissance doors famous Latvian painter Vilhelms banking purposes and later managed with refined metal door handles, wood- Purvītis decorates the room. by the National Library for many years, carved beads and rosettes. has been modernised. Now it is used for Next to the Plenary Chamber there is the Other Buildings of conferences and various events, as well Voting Room, which was created in the the Saeima as parliamentary committee meetings. early 1980’s by walling up one of the inner courtyards. MPs use the Voting Room to Four more buildings are located across Guided tours of vote using ballot papers. This room is the street from the main building of the the Saeima also used for various other events. Saeima on Torņa iela 3/5, Jēkaba iela 16 and Jēkaba iela 10/12. Anyone can visit the main building of Originally, the Red Room was one of the Saeima in order to see in person the the most impressive examples of Neo- The building on Torņa iela 3/5 houses unique architecture and interior of the Gothic style in Riga. It contains a massive offices of MPs, a part of the library, and building, as well as to learn about its ethnographic candelabrum decorated a chapel. history. In order to visit the main building with the coats of arms of 19 historical This building consists of two structures. o f the Saeima, one should sign up by districts of Latvia. The Red Room is The house on Torņa iela 3 replaced the phoning +371 67087485; +371 67087483 a venue for Presidium and committee former Jēkaba gate in the defensive or by emailing [email protected]. Fact Sheet 8 v08.05 ENG; 18.02.19. Saeima of the Republic of Latvia • Jēkaba iela 11, Rīga, LV-1811, Latvia • phone: +371 67087321 • www.saeima.lv • e-mail: [email protected].