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Tourist Attractions > Europe > Latvia > Rundale Palace | |
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Rundale Palace Description Located 79km (49 miles) south of the Latvian capital of Riga, Rundale Palace and Museum lie just outside the town of Bauska. Built as the summer residence of the Duke of Courland Ernst Johann Biron by the Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the opulent palace was completed in two stages from 1736 to 1740 and 1763 to 1768. Through wars, fighting and marriage, the palace changed hands several times before being given to the Republic of Latvia in 1920 as a part of agrarian reform. The palace was in a rundown state but a lengthy restoration process that is still going on today has returned much of Rundale Palace to its former grandeur. Visitors are able to tour the museum that was opened at the site in 1972 and several of the grand rooms are open to the public including many in the eastern block including the Room of Roses and the Duke’s Bedroom. In 2004, banqueting rooms and chambers in the western wing were opened. The palace is ringed by a canal, gardens and a hunting park. Some of the palace rooms are also available for hire for wedding ceremonies and private functions. Transportation Air: Riga International Airport. Water: Ferry: Free Port of Riga. Rail: Train: Public services to Bauska (then travel on to Rundale Palace by bus or taxi). Road: Bus: Public services. Contact Addresses The Rundale Palace Museum, Bauska, 3921 Latvia Tel: (+371) 3962 274 Website: www.rpm.apollo.lv/engl/ Latvia - Map 
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