Rundāle Palace

Rundāle Palace, built according to the plans of Rastrelli on the location occupied by an old medieval castle, was conceived as a summer residence for the Dukes of Courland. In 1795, the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was incorporated into the Russian Empire so the palace became a Russian property.

Two decades later, during the French invasion of Russia in 1812, the building was used as a hospital for Napoleon's army. In the same way, in World War I, the German army also established a hospital and an office there. Although the palace and its surroundings were restored in the late 19th century, it was seriously damaged during the Latvian War of Independence (1918-1920). In 1920, it became the property of the Ministry of Agriculture and, four years later, was included in the list of state-protected monuments. In 1933, the palace was taken over by the Ministry of Education that used it as a school. After served as a grain storehouse by the World War II, the palace became in 1963 a branch of the Bauska Local History Museum and was restored during the following decades. The last major renovation of the building concluded in the spring of 2015. At present, in addition to house the Rundāle Palace Museum, it is also used for the accommodation of notable and diplomatic guests.

Architect: Bartolomeo Rastrelli
Project date: 1736

HOW TO REACH

From Rīga through Bauska
From Rīga – 67 km along the road A7 to Bauska, from Bauska to Pilsrundāle – 12 km along the road P103.

From Rīga through Jelgava
From Rīga – 47 km along the road A8 to Jelgava, from Jelgava to Pilsrundāle – 43 km along the road A8 to Eleja and from Eleja by road P103 to Pilsrundāle.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Bus traffic “Rīga – Bauska”, then “Bauska – Rundāle – Svitene”, “Bauska – Jelgava” (via Eleja or Jaunsvirlauka), “Bauska – Dobele” or “Bauska – Bērstele”