The Riga Brothers’ Cemetery (Latvian: Rīgas Brāļu kapi) is the world’s first military memorial cemetery designed as a unified architectural and artistic ensemble dedicated to fallen soldiers.

This unique complex in Riga, Latvia, became a model for similar memorials worldwide, combining landscape architecture, sculpture, and profound symbolism to honour those who perished in World War I and the Latvian War of Independence.

Although the official consecration took place only in 1936, as early as 26 September 1914 the Riga City Council received instructions that fallen soldiers in every town should be buried in designated unified plots that could later be planted with trees, fenced, and turned into special “brothers’ cemeteries”.

The first casualties brought to Riga – J. Stūris, A. Havernass, and I. Timm – were interred on 15 October 1915 on a small sandy hill next to the Forest Cemetery. The war continued, and more and more fallen were buried in the dunes, so the city’s chief gardener Andrejs Zeidaks (Antonijs Zeidaks) drew up an expandable cemetery plan.

Those who fell in the War of Independence were also buried here.

On 1 December 1919 the Latvian Red Cross-founded Brothers’ Cemetery Care Committee held its first meeting.

In 1920 discussions began on the artistic and architectural design, agreeing that Andrejs Zeidaks’ landscape project should form the basis.

A closed competition was announced in 1921 and repeated at the end of 1922, this time inviting Kārlis Zāle. Zāle won. In 1942 the sculptor himself was buried here.

The conceptual design was created by sculptor Kārlis Zāle, architects Aleksandrs Birzenieks and Pēteris Feders, and gardener Andrejs Zeidaks.

On 18 November 1924 the foundation stone was laid in a solemn ceremony; architectural work was led by Pēteris Feders.

The first “Dying Horsemen” group was unveiled on 20 November 1927, the second on 2 September 1928.

The Mother Latvia sculpture on 13 October 1929.

Gate construction began in 1930, followed by four warrior figures bearing shields of the four historic regions. In 1936 the closing wall received the coats of arms of Latvia’s cities and 19 counties.

The cemetery was solemnly consecrated on 11 November 1936 – Lāčplēsis Day – in the presence of the President and government.

During the Soviet era Red Army soldiers were also buried here, yet the memorial and the nearby monument to Latvia’s first President Jānis Čakste (on the Forest Cemetery) retained their significance as symbols of Latvian independence. The Čakste monument was hidden by bushes and especially guarded on remembrance days.