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The Pilkalne Estate is in a remote location on the border of Latvia and Lithuania, 5 km to the Southwest of Nereta. Lovers of history certain must visit this estate. Why? One reason is that the grain kiln of the estate, which is gradually being restored, and the grain drying stove, a few wooden parts of which have been preserved, are unique in Latvia. The stable and servants’ home have also survived and are populated today. The buildings were built in the 18th century. The owner can tell you stories about interesting aspects of this location’s history. |
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This is one of the most expressive estates built in the style of Romanticism. Dating back to the 19th century, it is on a peninsula in Astravo, which can easily be reached from Biržu along the longest wooden bridge in Lithuania, crossing Lake Širvenos. Covering 18 ha, the mixed-plan park was installed from 1851 until 1862. Local fir trees, linden trees and pine trees grow in the park. |
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Castle's prototype is England's Windsor castle. Sangaste Castle was finished in 1883. Its last owner was Friedrich von Berg (1845. - 1938.) - known grain selector. Near the castle is a park. |
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The estate of 12 buildings and a park has survived almost completely to this very day. The main building of the estate was erected on a largish oval island in the 1840s, and it has a moat all around it. This was meant to resemble fortified Medieval castles. The mansion is currently home to the local parish government, library and post office. Visitors can take a tour of the estate and its surroundings. There are stories about the estate to say that the baron had a beautiful daughter who, like the Rose of Turaida, refused to obey her father's instructions. Go to Veselava, and you'll hear the whole story! |
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A very impressive ensemble that is in terrible shape. The estate dates back to the 18th and 19th century, with the castle being built in the early 19th century. Half a century later it was rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style with symmetrical towers and bricks in the cornices. The estate belonged to the Manteufel-Stzege dynasty. The vestibule, stairwell and second floor hall still have ornamental ceiling paintings, but visitors are not allowed to enter the building, so they cannot be seen. Valuable interior design elements include a fireplace from the early 19th century that is decorated with marble elements. After the expropriation of the castle in 1920 and until 1951, the building housed a forestry school and then an agricultural crafts school. Opposite the castle was the stable of the state that was built in the style of Classicism with a pediment and mighty columns. Built in the early 19th century, the stable is no longer used and can only be viewed from the outside. A very much overgrown park surrounds the complex, and the hillock is the grave of one of the baron’s dogs.
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Bikovas Manor. The name of this manor is listed in the chronicle since the 17th century. You should see the manor house
and the park where you can find a stone chapel that was built in 1820, servant’s house, several household buildings
and stablings. After the fire of 1905, the building was reconstructed and the second floor was built. Since
1937, the manor is serving as Gaigalava Secondary school. According to the legend, there are secret passages that
lead to the church and the cemetery. The building is the architectural monument of local importance.
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The first mention of Pēterupe Rectory goes back to the late 17th century. The Manor Park and the buildings have partially survived to the present day, including a linden alley at the end of Smilšu Street, planted by the pastor Jānis Neilands in 1879 and the grand oak planted by Johann Wilhelm Knierim in 1869. After the fire of 1908, the Rectory was restored and partially rebuilt. In Soviet times, the property was removed from the parish and the house was named “Līgotnes”. During German times the Rectory was occupied by legionnaires. After the war, the building of the Rectory was turned into a hospital, then into a secondary school and later it was transformed into a block of flats for teachers. Now the building again belongs to the parish and it is inhabited by a priest of the parish and his family. |
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This beautiful castle (1797-1802) is seen as the most brilliant example of Classicism in Latvian architecture. It, like the Eleja Castle, was designed by the architect of the royal court in Russia, Giacomo Antonio Domenico Quarenghi and the architect Johann Georg Adam Berlitz. The ornate interior was unique for Kurzeme at the time when the castle was built. Empress Catherine II gifted the castle to Charlotte von Lieven (1742-1828) after Charlotte served as governess for the empress’ grandchildren. An agricultural school operated in the building from 1921 until 1941, and it was very much damaged and pillaged during World War II. Restoration began later, when the Mežotne experimental selection station was housed in it. The lovely building houses a hotel and can be toured. Around the castle, which is on the banks of the Lielupe River, there is one of the most beautiful English-type gardens in Latvia – perfect for a stroll. |
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Krogus un Brengūža ezeru un Drustu parka ieskāvumā samērā plašā teritorijā „izmētātas” Drustu muižas ēkas. Muižas kungu māja celta 1787. g. Līdz mūsdienām dažādā stāvoklī ir saglabājusies pārvaldnieka māja (19. gs.), klēts (ar kolonnām), krejotava, brūzis, smēde, magazīna, sķūņi u.c. ēkas. Muižas Kavalieru namā ierīkots viesu nams. Interesanti, kāda izskatītos Latvijas lauku ainava, ja tajā šodien nebūtu saglabājušās muižu kompleksi, kas tiek izmantoti vēl joprojām? |
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The manor is in Basi in the Gudenieki Parish of Kuldīga District, some 20 km from the district centre. The manor was built in the 19th century, burned down in 1905, and then restored. A former residence for servants and an old magazine barn have survived. The surrounding park covers 4.5 ha, and the estate is a cultural and historical monument of local importance. The barn was fully reconstructed in 2009 and 2010 with co-financing from the European Union, and today it is the Basi Culture Centre. In 2019, there is to be an interactive exhibition about Suiti events in Gudenieki -- baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc. |
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On the left bank of the ancient Gauja River valley, between the Paparžu ravine and the ravine along which the Sigulda-Turaida road passes through the valley there are the ruins of a castle built by the Order of the Brethren of the Sword. Construction on the castle began in 1207, and three decades later, in 1236, the castle was rebuilt for the needs of the Livonian Order. The Sigulda Castle suffered much damage during wars in the late 16th and early 17th century. During the Great Northern War, it was burned down and never restored. What is there today is the south-western segment of the castle's convent building, as well as the tower of the main gate. Beyond that is the internal forecastle, where there is an open-air stage for the annual Sigulda Opera Music Festival and other public events. There are also impressive views of the ancient Gauja River valley, Krimulda and Turaida. Reconstruction of the ruins is currently ongoing, and after the work is completed a second tower on the left side of the stage will be available to visitors. The plan is to install crossings around the walls of the convent building. Presently the ruins are available on a 24/7 basis and free of charge, but after the restorations are completed in 2012, admission will be charged. |
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The New Sigulda Castle was built between 1878 and 1881 for Prince Kropotkin. Its tower was extended in 1937. From 1923 until 1940, the building was known as the Writers Castle, and it was managed by the Latvian Press Association. During the Soviet era, a cardiology sanatorium was housed there. In 1993, the Sigulda City Council took over the castle, and since 2003 it has been home to the Sigulda Administrative District Council. The wooden residential building (mid-19th century) in which the Kropotkin family lived still survives, as do the granary (late 18th or early 19th century), the gardener's house (19th century), and the stone wall (19th century). The New Sigulda Castle is part of the historical centre of the Sigulda, Turaida and Krimulda complex, as are the ruins of the Sigulda Castle and the Krimulda Castle, the Krimulda Estate and the Turaida Castle. |
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The manor’s castle was built in the middle of the 18th century (belonging to the noble kin of baron Medem) as a huntsmen castle. Later, in the 19th century, it was rebuilt by adding a second floor. The kitchen was situated in the vaulted basements of the castle and when the food was ready, it was brought upstairs in the elevator. The gantry entrance of the castle (late baroque) and marble buttons above it picturing the coat of amrs of the union of Medem and Keizerling noble kins, is one of the most valuable example of arts monuments of the 18th century. To this day there are various outhouses preserved- a threshing barn, a granary and a smithy, as well as the park. In front of the castle one can see a magnificent oak, which was supposedly planted by K.Ulmanis. From 1837 the manor’s castle has also served as a place for Vilce primary school. |
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Adamovas Manor (ancient name –Adamhof, Odumova) is the cultural monument of the state importance.
It has two well preserved buildings of the 19th century. The Manor was built in 1851. Landlords
Korfs, Žemčužņikova and Karaulovs were the owners of the manor. There was discovered a mineral spring
in 1905. It was named in the honour of St. Helena. Mineral water gained the highest awards in London in
1912 and in 1913 in Paris. Currently, there is no mineral spring anymore. However, there is Adamova sanatorium
boarding-school for children with psychoneurological illnesses. A modern sports complex was built
in 2006 for organizing national sports competitions. We offer sauna, conference rooms, boat rental, and accommodation
for 120 people.
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„Zaļmuiža” (Green Manor) is notable because of its legendary past. The protector of peasants and poet Peter
Miglinīks (1850 – 1883) worked there as a clerk in the beginning of the 19th century. In 1784, the building belonged
to Frederick von Korf. The manor was bought by officer of Russian army Nikolaj Paulin von Rosenschild. Once
the manor had a large farm (800 ha): several cattle-sheds, fruit and wine cellars, alcohol brewery. Now there in
only a manor house and a barn. Till 1960s, the manor house was the centre of kolkhoz „Liesma”, later the club.
Now there is a smithy of a craftsman Jānis Ļubka. Guests are welcome to watch and try the metal processing.
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The mansion of Uue-Varbla Manor houses the local history museum which presents local life from the early 20th C and history of Varbla municipality. There is a handicraft workshop in the museum, while old tools and machinery are exhibited in the granary. The mansion in early Classicist style from 1797 is an attraction in itself. Traditional handicraft fairs are held in the grounds in July every summer. |
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The Cesvaine Castle is one of Latvia’s most beautiful castles. Built in the style of Eclecticism, it is said to have been presented by its owner, Adolf von Wulff, to his wife. The castle was built between 1893 and 1896. On the banks of the Sūla River alongside the castle is the Cesvaine Park, including the afforested Cesvaine castle hill. The Cesvaine castle roof reconstruction is complete! Visitors may tour the castle accompanied by a Cesvaine Tourism Centre guide. Restoration of the castle interior will ccontinue throughout 2020. Periodic closure of the castle can be expected. Please phone in advance to arrange a visit T. +371 26172637. For more information visit www.cesvaine.lv |
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The Baisogalo Estate is one of the oldest ones in Lithuania and is known as a royal castle because it once belonged to the local lord. The ornate late-Classicism buildings were built in the mid-19th century and have survived. The 12 ha landscape park dates back to the early part of the 19th century, with an alley of chestnut trees leading to the estate from the local village. The central alley that starts at the gate weaves through two curvy bodies of water with a bridge and statues of lions. Various trees behind the estate are alongside curvy and narrow pathways. On both sides of the alleys are bodies of water, and deep in the park is a pond with an island. |
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This convent-type castle was built in the mid-13th century by the bishopric of Piltene. Annexes were added in the 16th and 19th centuries to create a typical internal courtyard. The Neo-Gothic forms of the castle’s façade date back to the 1830s. From the 16th century to the 1920, the castle was owned by the noble Behr family. After it was burned down during the 1905 Revolution, the castle was rebuilt in two years’ time. The castle is known for ghost stories, tales of elf weddings, and stains of blood in the Red Room that are supposedly the result of a murder. A fireplace was built to hide the stains, but they reappeared. Since the privatisation of the castle, the interior has been restored with halls and cellars that are decorated with elements that are typical to the castle. Its rooms and viewing tower are open to the public. In the park, visitors will find the Alley of Love and the elf oak tree. |
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One of the most important military and political elements of the Livonian Order, the Bauska Castle was built between 1443 and 1456 at the place where the Mūsa and Mēmele rivers flow together. The castle had five towers and walls that were up to three metres thick. Between 1580 and 1596, the forecastle was replaced with a residence for the duke of Courland, and its walls were finished with the sgrafito technique. The castle suffered damage during wars in the 16th and 17th century, but it was always restored until 1706, when the Russian military blew it up during the Great Northern War. Today the castle houses a museum, with a viewing platform in its south-eastern tower. |
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