The "Kaķu nams" in Riga is not only notable for its impressive Art Nouveau architecture, but also for the two cat statues on the towers, which tell a curious story. According to legend, a wealthy businessman who was not admitted to the Great Guild had two black cats placed on his house in protest. Particularly provocative: The cats pointed their rear ends directly toward the Guild Hall. This visual statement was more than just a joke—it was an expression of displeasure and caused considerable uproar at the time.

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Lutz - Berlin

April 18, 2019

Hiking

A wealthy businessman was resentful that he wasn't accepted into the Great Guild. He then placed two cats on top of his house, which showed their behinds to the guild house. The outrage was great, but the cats stayed. However, they had to be rotated.

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Heiko

June 21, 2025

Running

The Cat House in Riga is an Art Nouveau building from 1909 in the Old Town, known for its two copper cats on its roof. Legend has it that a merchant had the cats placed with their tails raised toward the Great Guild in protest against his marginalization. Today, the building is a popular photo subject and a humorous landmark of the city.

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1. Small Guild (Mazā Ģilde), Riga – Riga Old Town (Vecrīga) loop from Riga

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2. Small Guild (Mazā Ģilde), Riga – St. Peter's Church, Riga loop from Centre

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3. Riga Old Town (Vecrīga) – Small Guild (Mazā Ģilde), Riga loop from Riga

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Details

Informations

Elevation 20 m

Weather

Saturday 14 February

-7°C

-24°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

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Location: Vidzeme, Latvia

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Cat House (Kaķu nams)

1. Small Guild (Mazā Ģilde), Riga – Riga Old Town (Vecrīga) loop from Riga

2. Small Guild (Mazā Ģilde), Riga – St. Peter's Church, Riga loop from Centre

3. Riga Old Town (Vecrīga) – Small Guild (Mazā Ģilde), Riga loop from Riga

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