Rundale Palace is famous not only in Latvia, but also far beyond the country's borders. This outstanding architectural monument is located in the village of Pilsrundale, which is 12 kilometres from Bauska or 50 kilometres from Jelgava. The architect of the palace, built in The architect of the palace, built in the Baroque and Rococo decorative art style, is the famous master Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. The entire palace complex, including the hunting and French parks, covers an area of more than 70 hectares. On two floors the palace has 138 rooms, their original furnishings have not been preserved, so the exhibits that make up the interior have been bought or brought from other museums.
The three palace buildings, together with the adjoining transverse buildings, as well as the gates form an enclosed courtyard of honour, the carriage court being situated between the Palace and the stables. On the south side there is a French garden, the alleys of which lead to a forest park, which in the past was a hunting ground. The gardener's house is located in the garden.
The palace was built between 1736 and 1740 as a summer residence of the favourite Russian Empress Anna Ioannovna, the Duke of Courland, Duke Biron. After the death of Empress Biron was arrested and sent into exile. Construction work in Rundale Palace resumed a few years later, after Biron's return from exile, which was already at the beginning of the reign of Empress Catherine II. Famous masters of their time created the chic interiors of the palace. Thus the marvellous murals on the sienna and ceilings of the palace were executed by Italian masters Carlo Zucci and Francesco Martini, magnificent modelling on artificial marble was made by the sculptor I.M. Graff.
After the state of Courland was annexed to the Russian lands, the owners of the Rundale Palace first became the Zubov family and then the Shuvalov family. In 1920, the palace became the property of the Republic of Latvia. In 1933 the buildings Rundale Palace buildings were handed over to the Museum of History. The World War II did not cause any damage to the palace, although in the post-war years, some rooms were converted into granaries. Rundale Palace Museum was founded in 1972. From that time until today, full-scale repair and restoration works have been carried out.
At the moment, several rooms are open after restoration, including the state rooms. The palace, as well as the stables and the gardener's cottage, host themed exhibitions. In addition, the Rundale Palace Museum offers the following rooms for rent ceremonial halls for receptions, concerts and events. Furthermore, presentations, concerts and productions can be held in the palace garden.
