- Address: Pilsrundāle, Rundāles pagasts, LV-3921, Latvia;
- Discovery: 1768;
- Architect: Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli;
- Working hours: every day from 10:00 to 18:00;
- Phone: +371 63 962 274;
- Site: rundale.net.
In the heart of Latvia - in Zemgale, there is the most outstanding architectural monument of the country - Rundale Palace. The scale and splendor of this palace ensemble fascinates from the first minutes of hitting here. Incredible beauty of the architecture of the majestic and aristocratic Baroque, graceful and elegant decorative art of rococo, authentic palace interiors, impregnated with the spirit of a long history. All this is surrounded by a beautiful park that has preserved the entire scar and the sophisticated taste of the 18th century.
Rundale Palace - an architectural masterpiece
In the XVIII century it was quite good to have the status of a favorite of the Russian Empress. Lucky then the Duke of Courland, Biron, who was among those close to Anna Ivanovna. From the "royal shoulder" he was granted an estate in Rundale. But, being ambitious and vain, the duke ordered to demolish an unpretentious house, and build a huge palace that had not yet been seen in Courland. Francesco Rastrelli himself was invited to create the project of the new estate.
Construction of the palace began in 1736. But in 4 years it had to be "frozen". Anna Ioannovna died, and Biron was sent into exile. Rastrelli at this time leaves for the capital and becomes an arch-architect under Empress Elizabeth.
Famous European masters also worked on the creation of the Rundāle Palace. Siena and the ceilings in the numerous rooms were painted by the famous Italians - Francesco Martini and Carlo Zucci. Furnaces-fireplaces with gilding were made by Austrian craftsmen. A beautiful stucco is the work of the German sculptor Johann Graff.
The park around the Rundale Palace was a separate complex project. It was based on a three-beam system of avenues. The whole territory was divided into clear geometric areas, among the elements of garden compositions were ponds, parterres, canals, fountains, shaved rows of trees and shrubs, flower beds and flower beds. The author of the project is the legendary A. Lenotr - the creator of the Versailles Park. In 1795 Courland became part of the Russian Empire, and the castle was transferred to the ownership of one and then other Russian princes. In 1920, the Rundāle Palace passed to Latvia. During World War II, he practically did not suffer, but most of the premises were equipped with granaries, which led to the loss of many historical exhibits.
The museum was opened in 1972. Since then, and until 2014, restoration work has been carried out on the territory of the palace complex. By the way, the descendant of the Duke of Biron contributed to the restoration of the Rundale Palace thanks to which this miracle of architecture appeared - Prince Ernst.
What to see in the Rundale Palace?
The entire palace complex covers an area of about 0.7 km². The three main buildings together with the gates and transverse adjoining hulls form a huge enclosed courtyard. In total there are 138 rooms in the palace, on its two floors.
The most interesting and beautiful expositions are in three main buildings:
- east;
- central;
- west.
The first floor was intended for servants and courtiers. The owners of the estate lived on the second floor. There were all the halls, salons and offices. In the right and left wing of the palace there are main staircases. Even simply climbing upwards, tourists continually stop to admire the surrounding magnificence - magnificent stucco, wooden carving of the balustrade, unusual mirror windows.
Most of the photos in the Rundale courtyard visitors make in its main halls. The interior here is truly breathtaking.
The golden hall impresses with its luxurious decoration. Decor of artificial marble, a huge plafond with a size of 200 m, painted ceilings, gilt molding, the throne of the Duke.
No less impressive is the White Hall, designed for secular balls. The spacious bright room is complemented by a graceful sculptural decoration, an unusual ceiling composition and a lot of beautiful pastors.
Two grand halls are connected by a large gallery, 30 meters long. During the celebrations, dining tables were set up here. The walls of the gallery are decorated with relief paintings that mimic niches with vases on pedestals.
At both halls there are offices: Porcelain and Mirror. In the eastern building there is also the Small Gallery. Here Rastrelli wanted to realize his author's idea - to arrange a mirror in front of each present window, but he did not manage to do it.
In the central building of the Rundale Palace, in the duke's apartment, tourists are invited to visit:
- Library with a bookcase of oak and a stove filigree painted with cobalt;
- The pink room is one of the most beautiful rooms of the Rundale Palace with a huge picture on the ceiling, depicting the goddess of flowers and spring Flora;
- salon of Dutch painting with walls covered with an invoice blue fabric;
- an auditorium;
- the duke's bedroom;
- dressing room;
- an office for washing;
- the duke's dining room;
- billiard room;
- Salon Shuvalov (Count and his family, who lived in the palace at the beginning of the twentieth century).
It should be noted that the female half of the Rundale Palace is more modestly furnished. In the duchess's apartment you can visit:
- a writing room;
- boudoir;
- the duchess's bedroom;
- toilet room.
The apartments of the Duke and the Duchess are presented in the form of enfilade - all the rooms are passing through, and are located one after another.
On the ground floor of the palace on a regular basis there are several exhibitions. Each of them is dedicated to some kind of applied art or a certain historical period. In the building of the palace, classical concerts and the Festival of Folk Music are also held periodically. In summer, the park celebrates the "Garden Festival". The fair opens, actors in secular suits arrange an interesting interactive with guests - show theatrical performances and offer to participate in various competitions.
Useful information for tourists
- the address of the Rundāle Palace - Bauska, Rundāle parish, Pilsrundale, LV-3921;
- excursions are conducted in 5 languages: Russian, Latvian, French, German and English;
- The museum opens every day at 10:00, from May to October, the sleep closes at 18:00, from November to April at 17:00;
- the entrance to the park is also open to tourists from 10:00, from June to September it closes at 19:00 (on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays the park is open until 21:00), in May and October at 18:00, from November to April at 17:00;
- the price of the ticket for the "Short Route" (ceremonial halls + duke's salons): adult € 4, student € 3, child (from 7 years) € 2, for preschoolers - free of charge;
- the price of the ticket for the "Long route" (the ceremonial rooms + duke's apartments + salons + duchess's apartments): the adult € 6, the student € 5, the child (from 7 years old) € 3.5, for preschool children - for free;
- if you want to take a photo inside the Rundale courtyard or shoot a video, you need to get a permit (in the photo - € 2, on video - € 5);
- on the territory of the park from November to April admission is free, in May and October an adult ticket costs € 1.5, children - € 1, from June to September, adults - € 4, children - € 2;
- the prices for visiting exhibitions range from € 0.7 to € 3 (depending on the exposure);
- exhibitions that can be visited for free: "The History of the Rundale Palace", "Flowers in the Baroque Garden" and "Stamping on the Stone";
- in the park there are two cafes and a restaurant.
How to get to Rundale Palace?
From the capital to Rundale it is best to go through Bauska along the A7 highway. Then turn off on the highway P103 "Bauska - Pilsrundale".
You can also take the A8 motorway " Riga - Jelgava - Elea", and then turn to the regional road "Elea - Pilsrundale".
Buses from Riga to the Rundale Palace do not go, except for special - sightseeing. You can get by by buying a ticket for the bus "Riga - Bauska", and then transfer to the bus "Bauska - Rundale".