Riga's Cat House: A Legend of Revenge and Pride (11 photos)

In the very heart of Riga's Old Town, where medieval buildings bear traces of bygone eras, there is a house with a unique history.





On its spires facing the sky, two sculptures of black cats rise - a symbol of discontent and a challenge thrown down to one of the most influential organizations of its time - the Great Guild.

Honor and Refusal: The Tragedy of a Rich Merchant



Joining the Great Guild in the 14th century was not just a privilege, but the highest honor for any merchant. Membership opened the door to an elite circle where the most important trade and political issues were decided. However, refusal to join the guild was considered a deep insult that could destroy the reputation of even the wealthiest person.





One such person, as the legend goes, was a wealthy merchant named Blumer (or Plume). Although a successful entrepreneur, he was unable to gain recognition from the Great Guild. This decision was a real blow to him. But instead of accepting the rejection with humility, Blumer found his own way to get revenge - he recreated a symbolic act of protest that has survived the centuries.

Cats as a symbol of retribution



Blumer ordered figures of two black cats, arching their backs in discontent, and installed them on the spires of his house, located opposite the Great Guild building. These sculptures were turned with their tails directly to the windows of the guild elder's office. Everyone who saw these figures immediately understood their hidden meaning: they seemed to condemn the guild for its decision and expressed Blumer's personal indignation.



According to legend, a long and bitter struggle began between the merchant and the guild. The guild filed a lawsuit, demanding that the cats be removed or at least turned away. However, Blumer turned out to be no less a cunning opponent. They say that he either generously paid bribes to judges or had influential friends among them. As a result, court decisions were always in his favor: judges declared that cats were “free animals,” without which Riga’s unique architecture would lose some of its charm.

Compromise Over Time



Despite all the guild's attempts to achieve justice, the cats remained in their places, defiantly arching their backs towards the guild building. However, over time, the parties came to a compromise. The cats were turned so that they no longer "looked" at the guild. But even today, they continue to decorate the spires of the Blumer house, reminding us of a long history of conflict and revenge.

Cinematic Stories



In the cult film "Seventeen Moments of Spring" this building played the role of the Berlin hotel "At the New Gate". It was here that the fateful meeting of Standartenführer Otto von Stirlitz with the powerful Reichsleiter Martin Bormann took place. According to the plot, Bormann's car was supposed to stop to the left of the entrance to the hotel, on the corner of the streets, if you look from the Museum of Nature.



By the way, this is not the only cinematic story connected with this place. In 2018, the detective series “The House with Black Cats” was released, telling a story that takes place simultaneously in our days and in the 15th century.

Living Legend of Riga



Today, Riga’s black cats have become one of the most recognizable landmarks of the city. Many tourists come specifically to admire these mysterious figures and learn their story. The arched backs and sharp silhouettes of the cats seem to be frozen in eternal protest, expressing the discontent of a man who could not find a place for himself among the elite.



This legend is not only a story of revenge, but also a reminder of how art can become the voice of those who feel deprived. The black cats of Riga are a living symbol of pride, defiance and an unbending spirit that continues to inspire and surprise everyone who meets their gaze on the streets of the Old Town.