Powder Tower
Powder Tower
3.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
67 reviews
Excellent
6
Very good
35
Average
25
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Marc W
Weymouth, UK1,949 contributions
Aug 2019 • Friends
If you've got 2 hours to spare then this will fill the gap nicely.
It's a very interesting museum telling the story of wars through the ages in Latvia.
Theres plenty of English information signs to read throughout the building.
Its very easy to find and offers free entry too.
If you're interested in war history then have a look.
It's a very interesting museum telling the story of wars through the ages in Latvia.
Theres plenty of English information signs to read throughout the building.
Its very easy to find and offers free entry too.
If you're interested in war history then have a look.
Written August 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andycoldham
Crawley, UK1,032 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
The powder tower is a famous Riga site and can be seen from a long way away, its a great photo opportunity and together with the adjoining building houses the Latvian war museum. I got excited when I saw it was free entry , but then saw the small print that all visitors had to be accompanied by a guide and the whole "Tour " lasts 2 hours. We did not have two hours to spare so we did not venture inside.
Written July 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrian T
Silchester, UK199 contributions
Jul 2023
Built in 1650, this is a standard build of the time but still in good condition. Now part of the Latvian War Museum.
Written August 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LostInTime
Pittsburgh, PA23,076 contributions
Jun 2023 • Business
It seems like most of the cities old walls are gone and this is what remains. It’s old and cool looking but that’s not a lot left. It’s nice to see.
Written June 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LolaGo1
Washington DC, DC6,632 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
Located near the “boundary” of the Old Town and new area of Riga, it is tucked away along the McDonald Restaurant. In front of it are parked cars. Took a picture of it and walked on.
I guess, unlikeTallinn, the other towers are gone.
I guess, unlikeTallinn, the other towers are gone.
Written May 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elena Ciocan
Timisoara, Romania1,721 contributions
Oct 2019
Enchanting round tower, a reminder of how the city had to defend itself. Close to the city walls, which are mainly rebuilt.
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AUSLion
London, UK1,256 contributions
Jan 2020
An identified sight and place of historical significance that can easily be visited on a wander through Riga Old Town. Would be easy to miss as well! Some good shops with local items and cafes in the area to explore also.
Written April 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nitvoyodelo
Vineland, NJ816 contributions
Sep 2019
This unique tower, part of Riga's original defense system, was built in the 1330's. Now it is part of the Latvian War Museum. In the 17th Century it was called the Powder Tower because they stored gunpowder in it. Even if you are not interested in war history, the displays are interesting, because they give a good overview of all the different forces which created today's Latvia. Very enlightening. Entry is free. There are many English language descriptions/explanations. There is a small gift shop at the entrance, where I bought some pewter spoons.
Written November 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter M
Melbourne, Australia1,293 contributions
Jun 2019
This in the Old Town of Riga and part of the Latvian War Museum when it was restructured in the years 1937-1940.. It was originally a part of the defensive system of the town. It is in the Old Town
It was built in 1330 and in the 1600s was named the Powder Tower due to gunpowder stored there
It was built in 1330 and in the 1600s was named the Powder Tower due to gunpowder stored there
Written October 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Similtiades
Riga, Latvia3,490 contributions
Sep 2019
Despite living in Riga for a year and a half, and walking past it many times, I had never visited the Pulvertornis until my girlfriend suggested we visit last month. Located just on the edge of Vecriga, it is not difficult to find at all. As well as being an important historical sight in Riga by itself, the tower also houses the museum of Latvian military history; I was surprised to learn, from the sign outside, that entry to the museum is also free.
The tour takes one through pretty much all of the history one would expect, from its time in the Russian Empire, World War One, to the forming of Latvia as an independent state, loss of independence to the Soviets, World War Two, and until the present day. The exhibition is surprisingly detailed, especially for people who are still relatively new to Latvian history. If you are an expert on Latvian history, you may not find too much new here, but for tourists and even those who have merely lived in the country for a few years, it is really interesting and well worth a visit.
Outside of the museum, there is an information plaque detailing what happened on each day of the year in Latvian history, as a fun fact selection if you do not have the time to step inside. It's also well worth visiting the tower in the summer months for Pulverfests: a small festival celebrating local music, run jointly at the foot of the tower by Cartel Bar and Shot Cafe - the two bars opposite the tower in the street.
The tour takes one through pretty much all of the history one would expect, from its time in the Russian Empire, World War One, to the forming of Latvia as an independent state, loss of independence to the Soviets, World War Two, and until the present day. The exhibition is surprisingly detailed, especially for people who are still relatively new to Latvian history. If you are an expert on Latvian history, you may not find too much new here, but for tourists and even those who have merely lived in the country for a few years, it is really interesting and well worth a visit.
Outside of the museum, there is an information plaque detailing what happened on each day of the year in Latvian history, as a fun fact selection if you do not have the time to step inside. It's also well worth visiting the tower in the summer months for Pulverfests: a small festival celebrating local music, run jointly at the foot of the tower by Cartel Bar and Shot Cafe - the two bars opposite the tower in the street.
Written October 21, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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