Rundale Palace: how to get there? Photos and reviews

The Baltic countries are famous for their magnificent palaces and castles, which are the cultural and historical sights of the northern states.

Surprisingly, in Latvia on a very small territory (450 x 200 km) there are more than 1100 palaces and castles. One of the most perfect baroque buildings is the Rundāle Palace (Latvia).

History

The first information about this beautiful structure dates back to 1505. In those distant times it belonged to the ancient genus von Grothus. After a while, because of financial problems, the family had to sell the estate. The next owner was Ernest Johann Biron - favorite of the Empress Anna Ioannovna.

Rundale Palace, a photo of which you can see below, was built by the famous court architect of Russian rulers Francesco Rastrelli. This is one of the most outstanding examples of architectural art in the style of rococo and baroque in Latvia.

The Rundāle Palace was built in two stages. The first lasted four years. It ended after Biron was exiled to Siberia. After his pardon by Catherine II, who restored the Courland duchy, the palace was continued. The work went on for another six years.

Separate elements for decorating this structure were painted in St. Petersburg, and cast-iron ones were brought from Tula. Simultaneously with the construction of the building, a park was also smashed. In 1739 trees already appeared here: oaks, maples and lindens.

In 1768 the Rundāle Palace was completely rebuilt from the inside. Were invited to the famous masters of painters and sculptors, who created palace compositions.

In 1795 Catherine II presented the palace to Count Zubov. Later he became the property of the Shuvalov family. Since 1920, the magnificent structure was nationalized in favor of the Republic of Latvia.

In 1933, the Museum of History is located here. It should be noted that during the Second World War the Rundāle Palace was not affected at all. But in the postwar years, some of its premises were rebuilt for storing grain storage facilities.

In 1972, the Rundāle Palace became a museum. From that time until today repair work has been carried out here.

Exhibitions

Today, after the restoration, several rooms of the palace, including the main halls, opened their doors. The palace itself, as well as in the premises of the former stables and the gardener's house, are held thematic exhibitions. Among them:

1. "Treasures of the Rundale Palace". The exposition is devoted to the art of Western European countries, a period of four hundred years is considered. There are furniture and porcelain, paintings and silverware, jewelry.
2. "The Shrine of the Dukes of Courland". The family burial vault of the Dukes consists of eighteen sarcophagi. The oldest of them dates back to 1569. At the exhibition you will be told about the life of the deceased owners of the palace.
3. In the house of the gardener in the summer, an exhibition devoted to the restoration of the French park in Rundale. There are also unique photos and projects of the restoration works of the Rundale Park, photo gardens in Europe. Despite unfinished restoration work in the park, it amazes visitors with greatness.
4. "Years of ruin" - an exhibition telling about the fate of the Latvian Lutheran evangelical church in the Soviet years. The first part consists of documents and photographs of churches that were destroyed. The second part of the exhibition presents wooden sculptures, church utensils, altars, which are carefully preserved in the museum. The third part of the exposition, which is in the former stables, is dedicated to the church of Lestine (destroyed). She was known for unique wood sculptures.

Description of the palace

The palace complex (including the French and hunting parks) occupies an area of about 70 hectares. The Rundale Palace has 138 rooms (on two floors). Unfortunately, their original situation did not survive, therefore the presented interiors of the palace are made up of pieces of furniture purchased in other museums.

Three palace buildings, as well as adjacent transverse corps, the gate form an honorable courtyard (closed). Between the palace and the stables is the carriage yard. On the south side is a French garden, from which you can walk along the alleys to the forest park, he used to be a hunter.

Interiors

Annually thousands of tourists from different countries come to Latvia. Most of them are interested in ancient and beautiful Riga. The Rundale Palace, located 67 km from the capital, is usually included in all excursion programs.

Most of the guests note that the interiors of the palace are in harmony with its exteriors: the same exquisite style and grace of the Baroque style. The main part of the interior was created in the period from 1765 to 1768. Famous sculptors and artists worked on it. Among them are Johann Graf (Germany), Carlo Zucchi and Francesco Martini (Italy).

In the south side of the central building are the grand duke's apartments, on the north side - his private rooms. In the eastern building there are central halls: the former Throne, White (once Dance), Golden. All of them are united by the Grand Gallery.

The White Hall

This room was created as a dance hall for balls and court ceremonies. Finishing the walls and ceilings of the stucco work of the brigade under the supervision of IM. The count was completed in early 1768. Magnificent mirror windows in 1812 were destroyed. They were restored only in 1980. Chandeliers represent replicas of the French chandeliers of the 18th century.

The Golden Hall

This hall was intended for the reception of guests. He impressed the guests of the Duke with elegance and luxury. In the room adjacent to this room, a unique collection of porcelain is kept.

The main bedroom

Furniture in the bedroom is an exact copy of the samples of the XVIII century. Pictures, candlesticks, stoves, watches are all genuine things of that period.

Billiard room

In this room, only the billiard table is a novelty. It was manufactured in Latvia in 2011, all other interior items are genuine.

Room of roses

The ceiling painting was made by painters of Italian origin from St. Petersburg, Martini and Tsukki, in 1767. The walls of the room with garlands of flowers were issued by a team led by the sculptor Graff (1760).

The rooms of the palace are executed in different colors. This allows you not to lose the freshness of perception, moving from one room to another. Each of them is a complete and complete unique work of art of a bygone era.

Rundale Palace: how to get there from Riga?

Undoubtedly, the easiest way to get to the famous palace is a sightseeing bus, which regularly goes from the center of Riga and takes travelers to the castle. If you decide to go on a trip yourself, then you can use public transport. From Riga it is necessary to go to the town of Bauska, and here you can choose a suitable bus flight.

It's even easier to get to the Rundale Palace by car. You can choose one of the two most convenient routes:

• From Riga, drive to Jelgava. Then, before reaching a few kilometers to Elea, turn to P103 and then go to Poilstruundale.
• From Riga you should get to Bauska. Then turn to P103 and drive to Poilstrundale. Both routes will take approximately the same time.

Reviews

Tourists who have already visited the amazing palace, compare their impressions with immersion in a mysterious and fairy-tale world. Magnificent architecture, exquisite interiors, an amazing park landscape - all this is admirable. Tourists are disappointed only about the fact that there are still too few rooms open for visits.