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Definition

Use of the word "palace" in different languages is differing. In English this term designates an impressive and/or ornate residence of very influential person - for example - king, duke, archbishop. In different countries usage of this and related terms is different - according to the history of respective country. In Latvia there are many "palaces" which are far from being magnificent residences of royal persons. If we use the term "palace" in its strict meaning Latvia would have the following palaces - Rundale, Jelgava, Bauska ducal palaces. Use of this term to refer to other buildings becomes somewhat questionable.

Birini palace

Birini palace
17.07.2007.

In order to decrease uncertainties this category includes one more term - "manor house". Manor house served as the administrative centre of manor and as a residence of country nobleman. Sometimes such manor house in Latvia may look like real royal residence - such exquisite buildings in Latvia are, f.e. Cesvaine palace, Stameriena palace and smaller but majestic Birini palace. Author in this Website uses the term "palace" often - this is shorter and often these buildings really are ornate and majestic.

Category includes medieval castles as well - these landmarks form also their own - special category.

Traditionally palaces and castles in Latvia are located in rural setting - this differs Latvia from such places as Venice or Paris with numerous innercity palaces. But there are certain exceptions. Often a town has formed around the medieval castle after it was built - in a such way there appeared numerous present-day towns of Latvia. In later times around the old rural country estates formed contemporary villages. Interesting monuments are also the manor houses of small suburban manors - such buildings were abundant in Riga (see Manors and castles of Riga). City increased and these manor houses became a part of urban environment.

Mezotne palace

Mezotne palace.
20.09.2007.

Often influential families built opulent residences in downtown as well. Such building, f.e. is House of Benjamins in Riga. But here in Latvia such buildings are not considered to be palaces.

Contrary to the situation in most countries in Latvia it is comparatively simple to identify a moment when there started construction of castles and palaces, and when - ended. Castles here were built well before Western European conquerors (12th century) - but these woden castles have not been preserved and together with their surrounding settlements are included in category "Ancient settlements". The oldest stone castle in Latvia - Ikskile bishop's castle - has been built in 1185. Age of medieval castles ended when the newly built palaces were not fortified anymore - in Latvia this time came with the 17th century. Construction of castles here ended with the start of First World War - Latvia gained independence after this war and then nationalisation of land took place and nobility lost its influence. Thus it is possible that the last palace in Latvia was Veckarki palace which was built in 1913. Unfortunately soon after its construction it was heavily damaged in war and today only ruins remain.

Short history

The oldest known royal residences are located in Egypt, Thebes, exceptional palaces have been built also by other ancient cultures - but for most part these buildings were destroyed in later times. Incomparably larger amount - tens of thousands of palaces and manor houses have been preserved from younger times. Such palaces could be found almost in every land. Only Antarctica does not have them for sure.

After the long age of fortified medieval castles the palaces of new times were first built in Italian towns at the end of 14th century. In 16th century in Italy there were built villas - intricate and magnificent rural residences with refined landscape around them. Thus the oldest non-fortified palaces in Europe belong to Rennaisance style. Outstanding examples of such villas have been designed by architect Andrea Pallado for the rich Venetian nobleman, f.e. "La Rotonda" in Vicenca.

Over the time there changed style of palaces - in 17th century Rennaisance was replaced by Baroque which also started in Italy. During the Baroque age many royal and noble families in Europe got especially strong influence and as a result there were built enormous palaces. This includes the most popular one - Château de Versailles near Paris. Palaces of Baroque age belong to the most ornate buildings in world.

Pena National Palace in Portugal

Pena National Palace in Portugal - example of early Historicism.
04.10.2007.

At the end of 18th century after Baroque and its variety - Rococo there followed Neo-Classicism (often called simply - Classicism) - this style started in several Western European countries. Origins of this style come from the obsession with the culture of Ancient Greece and Rome. After the exorbitance of Baroque Neo-Classicism is characterised with reserved elegance. In this time there have been built numerous palaces, but it seems that none of them has become a star of architectural heritage of world importance.

Neo-Classicism was an early beginner of Historicism. In parallel with the interest in ancient Greek and Roman heritage there rised interest of artisans and architects in revival of other kinds of architectural styles. In 19th century there formed several kinds of Historicism including Neo-Gothic, Neo-Romanic, Neo-Rennaisance and others. These styles were much used in design of palaces and during the age of Historicism there have been constructed numerous interesting and ornate buildings with recognised architectural and touristic value. Tourists know well the Neuschwanstein Castle in the south of Bavaria (Germany). There have been built numerous luxuriant Historicism style palaces in Northern and Southern America, for example Chapultepec palace in Mexico.

At the very end of 19th century there formed the next style - Jugendstil (Art Nouveau). Unfortunately this style left little influence on design of palaces - in this time influence of nobility decreased. Last palaces and manor houses in Europe were built at the first half of 20th century, for example - in the Eastern part of Germany - up to the Second World War. Elsewhere in the world, especially in Asia and Africa there still are constructed palaces - residences for local nobility and influential people. Thus for example in Brunei there has been constructed the world's largest residence belonging to a private person - Istana Nurul Iman palace. Influential and rich people in Europe and elsewhere are building enormous private residences ar well - sometimes larger and more ornate than most palaces. Such buildings in general are not considered to be palaces.

Palaces and manor houses in Latvia

In total in the area of present-day Latvia there have been built several thousand palaces and manor houses. Today there exist more than 1000. Although majority of these buildings don't look like majestic fairytale castles - they are important monuments of local history. Due to this each such palace or manor house needs to be protected as monument of architecture and history. Numerous manor houses are located in the middle of village, with numerous architectonically interesting subsidiary buildings around. Such manor centres traditionally have larger or smaller parks and beautiful causeways leading to the palace.

Rundale Palace

Rundale Palace.
05.08.2007.

Among the most beautiful and most interesting palaces and manor houses in Latvia could be (ordered according to construction time):

This choice is relative - other authors would include other palaces. F.e. enthusiasts of cultural heritage and architecture would include here Ungurmuiza palace, Kabile Palace. After the reconstruction everyone sees how wonderful are Malpils, Dikli, Igate, Rumene and many other palaces. Sometimes especially lovely is some unsighty manor house - author loves the remote Birzi manor house in Kuldiga district or the small wooden manor houses in Riga.

List of described palaces and manor houses

Below are listed all the palaces and manor houses of Latvia described in this website. Each column in this table is sortable by alphabet - just click on the header of the table. The first column - "No." - gives an order of appearance of the landmark in this website. Grey colored monuments have not been preserved up to this day.

No. Name Category District Municipality, part of city Images?
1 Lielstraupe medieval castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Cesis district Straupe municipality yes
2 Cesis medieval castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Cesis district Cesis yes
3 Bauska medieval castle and ducal palace Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Bauska district Bauska yes
4 Dundaga medieval castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Talsi district Dundaga municipality yes
5 Edole medieval castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Kuldiga district Edole municipality yes
6 Jaunpils medieval castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Tukums district Jaunpils municipality yes
7 Slokenbeka medieval castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Tukums district Smarde municipality yes
8 Ventspils medieval castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Ventspils Ventspils yes
9 Turaida medieval castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Riga district Sigulda yes
10 Riga II and III Order castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Riga Old Riga yes
11 Krustpils medieval castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Jekabpils district Jekabpils yes
12 Koknese medieval castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Aizkraukle district Koknese municipality yes
14 Ungurmuiza manor house Palaces and manor houses Cesis district Raiskums municipality yes
19 Zuckerbecker manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Agenskalns yes
20 Hamann manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Agenskalns yes
21 The new building of Hartmann manor, Kalnciema 30 Palaces and manor houses Riga Agenskalns yes
22 The old building of Hartmann manor, Kalnciema 28 Palaces and manor houses Riga Agenskalns yes
23 Hay manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Agenskalns yes
25 Manor at Mara pond Palaces and manor houses Riga Agenskalns no
28 House of Schroeder Palaces and manor houses Riga Agenskalns yes
29 Svarcmuiza mansion Palaces and manor houses Riga Agenskalns yes
30 Atgazene manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Atgazene yes
31 Popov manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Avoti yes
32 The old Balozi manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bergi yes
33 Bonaventura manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bergi yes
34 Borhert manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bierini yes
35 The new Bierinmuiza manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bierini yes
36 Buda manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bierini yes
37 Senbergi manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bierini yes
38 Ulenbrock manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bierini no
39 Bisumuiza palace Palaces and manor houses Riga Bisumuiza yes
40 Nummurmuiza manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bisumuiza yes
41 Pinkart manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bisumuiza no
42 Bolderaja manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bolderaja yes
43 Guberna manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bolderaja no
44 Lohfeld manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bolderaja yes
45 Aderhold manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Brasa yes
46 Breksi manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Breksi yes
47 Jugla manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Breksi yes
48 Adazi castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Riga Bukulti yes
49 Bukulti manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bukulti no
50 Bulli manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bulli yes
52 Bohse manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Centrs no
54 Duvel manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Centrs no
55 Gibbeke manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Centrs no
56 Marquart manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Centrs yes
57 Vagner manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Centrs yes
58 Riga town manor near hospital of St.George Palaces and manor houses Riga Centrs no
59 Tiesenhausen manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Centrs no
60 Berzi manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ciekurkalns yes
61 Ciekurkalns manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ciekurkalns no
62 Dragunmuiza manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ciekurkalns no
64 Gaunersdorf manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ciekurkalns yes
65 Heil manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ciekurkalns yes
66 Jauna muiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Ciekurkalns no
67 Jana Muiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Darzciems yes
68 Laci manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Darzciems yes
69 Seemund manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Darzciems yes
70 Dresden manor - summerhouse Palaces and manor houses Riga Dzirciems yes
71 Franzen manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Dzirciems yes
72 Gerstenmeyer manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Dzirciems yes
73 Gerstenmeyer manor II Palaces and manor houses Riga Dzirciems no
74 House of Muizelis Palaces and manor houses Riga Dzirciems yes
75 Manor of Pardaugava St.George hospital Palaces and manor houses Riga Dzirciems no
76 Falk manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Grizinkalns yes
77 Obsenhof Palaces and manor houses Riga Grizinkalns yes
78 Balta muiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Ilguciems yes
79 House of the owner of factory in Daugavgrivas 67 Palaces and manor houses Riga Ilguciems yes
80 Nordeki manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ilguciems yes
81 Manor of Holy Spirit in Pardaugava Palaces and manor houses Riga Ilguciems no
82 Anninmuiza forest manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Imanta yes
83 Lieldamme manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Imanta yes
84 Mazdamme manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Imanta yes
85 Sulcmuiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Imanta yes
86 Zolitude manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Imanta yes
87 Arkirejs manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla no
88 Gravenheide manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla yes
89 Katrina manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla yes
90 Kregermuiza manor near Jugla Lake Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla yes
91 The Big Smerlis manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika yes
92 The Small Smerlis manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika yes
93 Strazdumuiza mansion Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla yes
94 Strazdumuiza new manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla yes
95 Truvert manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla no
96 The "old house" of Zeluste manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla no
97 Mansion in Zeluste manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla yes
98 Mansion in Zeluste manor (M. Juglas 43) Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla yes
99 Sorgenfrei manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla no
100 Fokmuiza manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Katlakalns no
101 Kleisti manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Kleisti yes
102 Lacupe new manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Kleisti yes
103 Blieki manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ķengarags yes
105 Bartelshof Palaces and manor houses Riga Maskavas forstate yes
106 Hince manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Maskavas forstate yes
107 Kojusala manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Maskavas forstate yes
108 Medieval manor at Riga geese pasture Palaces and manor houses Riga Maskavas forstate no
109 Annasmuiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Mezaparks no
110 Grave manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Mezaparks yes
111 Meijermuiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Mezaparks no
112 Audeji manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika yes
113 Burhard manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Mezciems no
114 Gaili manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Mezciems yes
115 Hackmann manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Mezciems yes
116 Kauli manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Mezciems yes
117 Bulli manor at Ganibu dambis Palaces and manor houses Riga Petersala - Andrejsala yes
118 Gutceit manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Petersala - Andrejsala no
119 Hermeling manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Petersala - Andrejsala yes
120 Kohlenhof Palaces and manor houses Riga Petersala - Andrejsala yes
121 Kregermuiza manor in Petersala Palaces and manor houses Riga Petersala - Andrejsala yes
122 Meller manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Petersala - Andrejsala yes
123 Mengden manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Petersala - Andrejsala no
124 Pilumuiza manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Petersala - Andrejsala yes
125 Kruze manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Pleskodale yes
126 Pleskodale manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Pleskodale yes
127 Sampeteris manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Pleskodale yes
128 Zala muiza (Green manor) Palaces and manor houses Riga Plavnieki no
129 Grizinmuiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Purvciems yes
130 Little Jumpravmuiza manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Rumbula yes
131 Lucavsala manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Salas yes
132 Broin manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Sarkandaugava yes
133 Dauderi Palaces and manor houses Riga Sarkandaugava yes
134 Dunte manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Sarkandaugava yes
135 Fogt manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Sarkandaugava yes
136 Holst manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Sarkandaugava yes
137 Little Vejzaksala manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Sarkandaugava no
138 Raawe manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Sarkandaugava yes
139 Vejzaksala manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Sarkandaugava yes
140 Essen manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Spilve yes
141 Manor of Metsue von Danenstern Palaces and manor houses Riga Spilve yes
142 Suzi palace Palaces and manor houses Riga Suzi yes
143 Dreilinmuiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Skirotava yes
144 Scheumann manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Skirotava no
145 Delsavs manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika yes
146 Dreilini forester's manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika yes
147 Hartwiss manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika yes
148 Monrepos manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika yes
149 Reimers manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika yes
150 Veiers manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika yes
151 Altona manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Tornakalns yes
152 Blok manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Tornakalns yes
153 Griecke manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Tornakalns yes
154 Hermann manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Tornakalns yes
155 Igelstrem manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Tornakalns yes
156 Red tower in Pardaugava Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Riga Tornakalns yes
158 Mangali manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Trisciems yes
159 Daugavgriva cloister and medieval castle Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Riga Vecdaugava yes
160 Complex of the palace of Peter the Ist Palaces and manor houses Riga Vecriga ir
161 I court of bishop in Riga Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Riga Vecriga yes
162 I Order castle in Riga Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Riga Vecriga yes
163 II court of bishop in Riga Medieval castles, Palaces and manor houses Riga Vecriga yes
166 Bekermuiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Voleri yes
167 Hapaks manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Voleri yes
168 Dreilini manor in Kremeri Palaces and manor houses Riga Voleri yes
169 Kremeri manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Voleri yes
170 Kronmann manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Voleri yes
171 Voleri manor house Palaces and manor houses Riga Voleri yes
172 Baum manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Zasulauks ir
173 Piladzbirzs manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Zasulauks yes
174 Third Volfsmits manorhouse Palaces and manor houses Riga Zasulauks yes
175 Volfsmits manor house, Dzirciems street block Palaces and manor houses Riga Zasulauks yes
176 Volfsmits manor house, block in Vilips street Palaces and manor houses Riga Zasulauks yes
177 Belvija manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ziepniekkalns yes
178 Ebelmuiza manor house Palaces and manor houses Riga Ziepniekkalns yes
179 Friedrich manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ziepniekkalns yes
180 Schorkman manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ziepniekkalns yes
181 Zasumuiza manor at the mill Palaces and manor houses Riga Dzirciems yes
182 Wolansky manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Mezaparks no
183 Rupert manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Spilve yes
184 Milgravis manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Vecmilgravis yes
186 Helene manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Bisumuiza yes
187 Liepumuiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika no
188 Zelmer manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Mezciems no
189 Dedermuiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika no
190 Luise manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla no
191 Martinmuiza Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla no
192 Giese manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla yes
193 Mehrmans manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla yes
194 Dannemann manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Jugla no
195 Libeka manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Maskavas forstate yes
196 Koki manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Spilve no
197 Reimer manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Teika yes
198 Mangali manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Mangalsala no
199 Seibart manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Imanta yes
200 Anninmuiza old palace Palaces and manor houses Riga Imanta yes
201 Jägersruh Palaces and manor houses Riga Pleskodale yes
202 Willischhof Palaces and manor houses Riga Bierini yes
203 Tiesler manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ziepniekkalns yes
204 Birgelshof manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Ziepniekkalns yes
205 Birkenhof manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Atgazene yes
206 Krustenhof manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Rumbula yes
207 Bullartshof Palaces and manor houses Riga Suzi yes
208 Wittenhof Palaces and manor houses Riga Jaunciems yes
209 Andr.Grafs Hof Palaces and manor houses Riga Kleisti yes
210 Summer palace of Peter I in Viesturdarzs Palaces and manor houses Riga Petersala yes
211 Dahl manor Palaces and manor houses Riga Pleskodale no
212 Birini palace Palaces and manor houses Limbazi district Vidrizi municipality yes
213 Mezotne palace Palaces and manor houses Bauska district Mezotne municipality yes
215 Mezotne manor manager's house (the old manor house) Palaces and manor houses Bauska district Mezotne municipality yes

 

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