Have you ever heard the fairytale of the three magic chests in the Jelgava Old Town House? In this story, you are the hero. For four golden coins, you’re handed a key and a challenge: to uncover the secrets of this mysterious house using the magic chests.
Are you ready to embark on this adventure? Let’s head to Jelgava!
Location: Jelgava Old Town house
Cost: Paid entrance find ticket prices and working hours here.
How to get there: You can walk there from Jelgava city center or station
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The Wooden Houses of the Jelgava Old Town Quarter – Your First Challenge
In every fairytale, the hero must face challenges. Your first quest? Wander through the Old Town Quarter, home to Jelgava’s oldest wooden buildings (dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries), and discover which of these charming structures holds the secret you’re seeking.
As your fairy godmother for the day, I’m here to offer a bit of guidance: the building you’re looking for is the beautifully restored, dark brown wooden house, its windows shuttered and locked with large keys. After all, some secrets are meant to be kept safe. For the full experience, however, I highly recommend exploring the entire Jelgava Old Town street to truly immerse yourself in the atmosphere.
The 3 Magic Chests of the Jelgava Old Town House
You’ve passed the first challenge—well done! Now, the real adventure begins: uncovering the story of the Jelgava Old Town House.
As you step inside, just like in a fairytale, you’ll be granted the chance to open three magic chests. But these aren’t powered by magical dust – they’re driven by cutting-edge technology. The Old Town House knows just how to use gamification to captivate visitors, guiding them to discover every hidden detail of the exhibit.
You’ll also be given a magic key—an audio guide with a remote control.
Press the button, and poof! The chests open halfway. Now, it’s time to unleash your inner adventurer and explore each drawer, as each one holds a piece of the story. Information is shared through the audio guide, interactive games, and projections. In some drawers, you’ll even uncover relics from the past, like a mysterious love letter from an unknown source.
What Secrets Will the Chests Reveal?
Did you know what type of ceilings were once called “Latvian ceilings”? Or why coins were thrown into the cracks of floorboards? These chests will unveil those secrets and more, along with captivating tales about the house’s architecture and restoration. You’ll also uncover fascinating stories about Jelgava’s historic buildings and the ultimate mystery: how this house managed to survive World War II, when others around it were burned to ground.
The storytelling is so vivid that, if you close your eyes, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back in time to the heart of old Jelgava. But who is the storyteller behind these tales? That’s yet another mystery you’ll need to solve by diving deeper into the chests.
The Architecture of the Jelgava Old Town House – A Glimpse Into the Soul of the House
As the magic of the story begins to fade, open your eyes and take a closer look at the house’s interior.
The rooms are unique – they almost look naked. All the decorative layers have been peeled away, revealing only raw, twisted, and cracked wood. Even the stove in one of the rooms stands exposed and bare.
It’s as if you’re looking deeper than the skin – peering straight into the very soul of the house.
The Attic of the Jelgava Old Town House – A Treasure Hunt
In the attic, you’ll find exposed beams and roof rafters. You can almost feel the wind whistling through the cracks.
Here, you’ll also find an exhibition by the “Mans Tautastērps” society, showcasing traditional Latvian folk costumes. But that’s not all – there’s another exhibit that feels like one of those treasure hunt games, where you search for hidden objects. The more you look, the more you discover. Dried flowers. Old phones. An oil lamp. Which item in this collection captures your attention?
I’ve uncovered the secret of the Jelgava Old Town House, and now it’s your turn. If you’re fascinated by history, architecture, or ancient tales, this is the place for you.
I’ve mentioned before that it’s often difficult for me to focus on lengthy descriptions in museums—surprising, given how much I love writing! But that’s not the point of this story. The real story is that when information is presented through an audio guide and interactive games, I find it so much easier to stay engaged, and as a result, I end up learning so much more. So, I’m definitely a fan of exhibits like this one.
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