"Three Brothers" is the oldest complex of residential houses in the Latvian capital city, located in Old Riga on Maza Pils Street (Mala Zamkova Street). These three houses have been preserved since the 15th century. Today they are home to the Museum of Architecture and the State Centre for the Protection of Cultural Monuments.
According to legend, the three houses, closely clustered together, were actually built by men belonging to the same family. In medieval times, the street on which the houses stand was on the outskirts of the city. Craftsmen lived here. In house No. 17, the oldest of the "brothers", there was a craftsman's workshop. It is assumed that the building of the "oldest brother" was built in 1490. The house has an ascetic look, the only decoration is 2 stone pillars in front of the entrance. There was only 1 room in this house, which was used as a workshop, shop and living space. There are still stone benches on either side of the door, which are characteristic features of the early Middle Ages.
House No. 19, which is the middle "brother", is the most luxurious building of the three. The entrance of the middle "brother" is adorned with the inscription "Soli deo gloria!". Unlike the oldest "brother", this house had a separate spacious hall with large windows, while the living quarters were on the courtyard side.
The youngest "brother" was built in the second half of the 17th century. This house contained small flats on each floor. The façade of the building is decorated with a mask, which was intended to protect the house from evil spirits.
Between 1955 and 1957, the Three Brothers were restored. The work was carried out according to the project of Peteris Saulitis, with the help of G. Janson. A stone portal from the lost House of Blackheads, a fragment of a portal from a dwelling house in Old Riga, as well as a forged coat of arms with the date 1554 were built into the walls.
