Rundāle Palace Museum — Attraction in undefined

Wow..I don’t even know where to start. This place is AMAZING. I could write an entire essay on how much I learned here, how much restoration was put in. I’ll just go on a positive tangent instead - The ceilings to the paintings, the furniture, absolutely everything feels like stepping back in time. Don’t forget to look up! The artwork is breathtaking. It’s fascinating how it may appear victorian but the architecture is quite different than others. I won’t say what, go there and learn like I did if you don’t know. I’ve seen manors, mansions, castles in different countries but this place is by far my favourite. Information is provided in different languages, don’t be afraid to ask. They have a lot of pamphlets as well. In the game room, don’t lean tooo far over while looking. Almost everyone in there was getting barked at not to touch things…was a little overboard but unfortunately that’s what it’s come to. I guess lots of kiddos like to touch things or something. Anyway, be respectful!

The garden. I must speak on the magnificent magical garden. It absolutely feels like you’re in Bridgerton, Alice in wonderland, about to get eaten in the maze like Harry Potter goblet of fire. Crazy. I was in awe. This place is unreal and really feels like there’s no better way to describe it then to say it’s being inside a film/show lol. It’s just so beautiful. Sososoooo beautiful. Put your phone down and enjoy it. But also bring you’re best camera, sunny or not. It is gorgeous and you need photos to remember.

Yes I did tell my partner to plz marry me here and then we saw a beautiful couple getting married!!! What a day.

GOOOO! If you don’t like history stuff you will LOVE the garden. If you’re going for the garden, I’d suggest the summertime. Get the map so you don’t get lost. Although getting lost was also fun!! Also the food, the food was spectacular. Unforgettable.

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How to get here info below A very nice palace and worth a visit if that's your thing. Ornate rooms and lots of paintings, as you would imagine. Pleasant gardens at the rear. There is a cafe inside the main building which serves really nice fresh food for reasonable prices. I've given it 4 stars as some of the rooms were a bit empty, and overall it's not really a patch on Versailles or any large English stately homes. Perhaps it's not meant to be...

The adult entry fee in August 2024 was 17 Euros for the palace and gardens, which is IMI a touch high, although I know people have to make a living and maintain the site.

The palace is on several tour-bus itineraries. You can also get to it from Riga on a public bus 3 times per day (4 euros each way, 1 hr 45 mins duration), the last one leaves Rundale at 17:00 which is perfect. You will need a good 2-2.5 hours at the site, but there are pubs and cafes in the estate if you have some time to kill.

You can also get to Rundale from the Hill Of Crosses in Lithuania, there is a local bus several times per day from the HOC main road junction, to Joniskis (1.5 euros). Unfortunately there is no public transport between Joniskis and Eleja, so we had to take a taxi (20 euros) but you could have probably fairly easily hitched from Joniskis if you were brave enough (make sure you go out to the main road). Once in Eleja, from the crossroads to Bauska there is a public bus 3 or 4 times per day heading for Bauska and stopping at...

The Baltic Versailles! Amidst the vast fields and meadows of Zemgale (Semgallen) stands the most beautiful baroque palace in the Baltic States: the Rundāles Pils (Rundāle Palace). The palace was commissioned by Ernst Johann Biron, the lover of Tsarina Anna Ivanova who bestowed him the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia. The famous Italian architect Bartolomeo Rastrelli designed and built a palace inspired by Versailles. Since the Duke was exiled to Siberia by his political enemies in 1740, the construction of the palace took place in two phases. During the first phase (1736-40) the palace itself was built, and during the second phase (1765-68) the furnishing of 138 rooms and halls was completed. During the Latvian War of Independence in 1919, the palace was badly damaged. In 1933, the palace was restored/rebuilt when a school was established. After the Rundāle Palace Museum was founded in 1972, a thorough and long-term restoration was immediately started, which was only completed in 2015. Thanks to this restoration, the palace once again radiates its 18th century grandeur, which visitors can admire in 40 rooms and halls. In addition to the magnificent interior, the French gardens are certainly worth a visit. So all in all, Rundāle Palace is a destination that should not be missed on...