The Cat House
On Gingerguide's self-guided Riga audio tour, The Cat House is a stop worth about ~20 min. Stand in front of it, press play for a short narrated story, and put any follow-up question to the built-in AI guide.
- Type landmark
- Suggested visit ~20 min
- Riga Riga guide
About The Cat House
Two copper cats with arched backs perch on this 1909 building's turrets; legend says a spurned owner aimed their tails at the Great Guild across the street.
The Cat House stands at Meistaru iela 10, just off Livu Square in Riga's Old Town. Built in 1909 to a design by the architect Friedrich Scheffel, it blends medieval-revival forms with elements of Art Nouveau. The building is best known for two copper cat sculptures perched on its corner turrets, shown with arched backs and raised tails; they are among the most photographed decorative sculptures in the city. The house sits directly across the street from the hall of the Great Guild.
According to a well-known local legend, a wealthy owner who had been refused membership of the Great Guild had the cats placed with their raised tails pointed toward the guild house in spite, and was later obliged to turn them around. Historians treat the tale as folklore; the sources do not name the owner or give a date. The building today houses a restaurant and offices, and lies within the Historic Centre of Riga, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
Did you know? The two cats are copper sculptures set on the building's corner turrets, backs arched and tails raised; they are among Riga's most photographed decorative figures and a popular Old Town meeting point.
How much time do you need at The Cat House?
Around ~20 min works well for The Cat House — time to look properly and listen to its story on the spot. Linger if you like; nothing on a self-guided walk is on a clock.
Should you stop at The Cat House?
Yes — The Cat House made the cut as one of 21 places the Gingerguide team researched and narrated across Riga. The story tells you why it is worth the stop, and the AI guide fills in anything you still wonder.
Nearby stops in Riga
Day 2 of the Riga in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of The Cat House
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