The guides not certified by Rundāle Palace Museum are invited to take an exam on February 25;
March 18;
April 8 at 10:00 a.m.
For more information and applications: gidi@rundale.net/, +371 29487045 (Inga Ripa)
Guides, whose licenses are valid until 1st May 2014. are also invited to take the oral examination.
1964 The final year of Rundāle Palace restoration work!* 2014
FEBRUARY
25/02 Tour guide examination
Tour guides whose certificate is valid until 1 May 2014 are encouraged to undergo recertification by taking an oral exam.
28/02 Lecture on the foreign estates of the dukes of Courland
Education lecture by Imants Lancmanis on the foreign estates of the dukes of Courland.
MARCH
18/03 Tour guide examination
Tour guides whose certificate is valid until 1 May 2014 are encouraged to undergo recertification by taking an oral exam.
APRIL
08/04 Tour guide examination
Tour guides whose certificate is valid until 1 May 2014 are encouraged to undergo recertification by taking an oral exam.
Mid-to late April – Tree planting in the forest of Rundāle Palace
Tree planting campaign. Everyone is invited to participate.
MAY
Early to mid-May Tree planting in the forest of Rundāle Palace
Tree planting campaign. Everyone is invited to participate.
Mid-May Tulips in full bloom
Everyone is welcome to enjoy the beauty of thousands of blooming tulips, daffodils and other spring plants in the garden of Rundāle Palace.
From 25/05 The Duke’s Library open to the public
The Duke’s Library will be open to the public for the first time after its restoration. It is one of the three rooms restored within the frames of the patronage programme “Completion of the Restoration of Rundāle Palace 2010 – 2014”.
From 25/05 “Rundāle Palace Restoration Chronicle” available in the newly-opened study room
The study room will contain materials about the fifty years of the rebirth of Rundāle Palace including photographs and descriptions of the restoration of interiors, paintings, stucco decorations and art works.
From 25/05 International exhibition “Library of the Dukes of Courland”
The National Library of Latvia in cooperation with the Helsinki University Library offers an exhibition about the library of the dukes of Courland.
30/05 Conference “Library of the Dukes of Courland”
The National Library of Latvia in cooperation with the Rundāle Palace Museum organizes an international conference about the library of the dukes of Courland.
JUNE
07/06 Rundāle Municipality Festival (www.rundale.lv)
Mid- to late June Old Garden Roses and peonies in full bloom
Every year around the Midsummer Day visitors may breathe in the fragrance of the Old Garden Roses and dive into the beauty of peonies in the palace garden.
28/06 Rundāle Palace Garden Festival
Annual event offering a diverse cultural programme and workshops. This year devoted to a theme of historic parterre gardens.
JULY
All month long Roses in full bloom
July is usually the time when roses reach their peak bloom.
12/07 The 20th International Festival of Early Music at Rundāle Palace
Festival offers a musical journey through the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque eras.
OCTOBER
25/10 Concert “Green fary tale”
NOVEMBER
7/11 Lecture on textile restoration
Educational lecture on textile restoration at the Rundāle Palace Museum.
21/11 Lecture on restoration of decorative art objects
Educational lecture on restoration of decorative art objects.
DECEMBER
5/12 Lecture on textile restoration
Educational lecture on textile restoration.
25/12 Christmas concert
The Rundāle Palace Museum in cooperation with the Council of Rundāle Local Municipality invites to the Christmas concert.
*The list is subject to change. Please check this page periodically for any updates.
Due to Early Music Festival, on 12 July 2014 the halls for festivities (the Gold Hall, White Hall, Grand Gallery and Small Gallery) will be closed.
Museum visitors may visit the Duke’s state apartments and private rooms as well as the Duchess’ apartments.
Palace entrance fee on 12 July – EUR 3.56.
Museum opening hours on 12 July:
Palace from 10 am to 6 pm (last admission at 5.30 pm)
Garden from 10 am to 8 pm (last admission at 7.30 pm)
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Additional information and concert tickets are available from VSIA “Latvijas Koncerti”. Please visit www.smf.lv
Please note that road construction works on route Riga – Jelgava – Rundāle and bridge construction in Bauska may cause traffic delays!
On the following dates access to the Palace rooms will be temporarily restricted:
| Date | Time | Place |
| 19/07/ | 14:00-15:00 | White hall |
| 24/07/ | 14:00-15:00 | White hall |
| 25/07/ | 13:30-14:30 | White hall |
| 26/07 | 12:00-13:00 | Picnic area or White hall |
| 14:00-15:00 | White hall | |
| 01/08/ | 14:00-15:00 | White hall |
| 02/08/ | 13:00-14:00 | White hall |
| 15:30-16:30 | Picnic area | |
| 17:00-18:00 | White hall | |
| 06/08/ | 10:00-11:00 | White hall |
| 07/08/ | 13:00-14:00 | White hall |
| 08/08/ | 14:00-15:00 | White hall |
| 16:30-17:30 | Picnic area | |
| 09/08/ | 12:00-13:00 | White hall |
| 16:00-17:00 | White hall | |
| 16/08/ | 14:30-15:30 | White hall |
| 23/08/ | 12:00-13:00 | White hall |
| 15:00-16:00 | White hall | |
| 29/08/ | 14:00-15:00 | White hall or Picnic area |
| 30/08/ | 12:00-13:00 | White hall |
| 15:00-16:00 | Picnic area |
Visitors are welcome to return back at the end of the Palace tour when the room is reopened.
We are sorry for any inconvenience caused.
Concert series “LIEPĀJA’S SOUNDS IN RUNDĀLE PALACE”
White hall, 17.00
BEETHOVEN AND LIEPĀJA CONCERTO
Soloist:
Ilze Zariņa / violin,
Participating:
Liepāja Symphony Amber Sound Orchestra
Conductor:
Atvars Lakstīgala
Programme:
Felix Mendelssohn – Bartoldi – The Hebrides Overture ( „Fingal’s Cave”)
Vilnis Šmīdbergs – Liepāja Concerto No.8 for Violin and Orchestra
Ludwig van Beethoven – Symphony No.3 in E flat major, Op.55
Tickets: www.bilesuparadize.lv
Dear visitors,
From 18 February to 6 March 2015 Rundāle Palace will be used as a film set for BBC drama War and Peace based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy.
During this period interiors of the palace may be rearranged for filming and access to some rooms may be temporarily restricted.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN RUNDĀLE PALACE IN 2015
MARCH
07.03. Concert “150 to Richard Strauss” at 17:00 in the White Hall.
Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket outlets throughout Latvia, and at the Palace on the day of the concert. Additional information: www.lso.lv.
26.03. Educational lecture “Restoration of Textiles” at 13:00.
An educational lecture on the restoration of textiles. Lecturer – textile restorer – old master Daira Līdaka. With prior application +371 63962197 or +371 26499151.
APRIL
16.04. Educational lecture “Restoration of Latvian Glass Chandeliers” at 13:00.
An educational lecture on the restoration of Latvian glass chandeliers. Lecturer – restorer – old master Maija Baņķiere. With prior application +371 63962197 or +371 26499151.
18.04. Concert “Baroque and Jazz” at 17:00 in the White Hall.
The Liepāja Symphony Orchestra invites you to a concert. Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket outlets throughout Latvia, and at the Palace on the day of the concert. Additional information: www.lso.lv.
23.04. Educational review tour of the exhibition “From Gothic Style to Art Nouveau” at 13:00.
An educational review tour of the exhibition “From Gothic Style to Art Nouveau”, during which the Head of the Scientific Restoration Department, Aina Balode, will provide information on the restoration of the objects included in the exhibition. With prior application +371 63962197 or +371 26499151.
MAY
Mid-May – Tulips in full bloom.
Thousands of tulips, narcissuses and other bulbous flowers bloom in the garden of Rundāle Palace each year. We invite you to see this blooming magnificence!
16.05. “Mendelssohn and Schubert” final concert of the season of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra at 17:00 in the White Hall.
Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket outlets throughout Latvia, and at the Palace on the day of the concert. Additional information: www.lso.lv.
From 25.05. Exhibition “From Gothic Style to Art Nouveau”, supplemented with three new rooms dedicated to the rococo theme.
The exhibition opened in 2012, and consists of 7 rooms that are dedicated to different eras. This year the exhibition will be supplemented with two new rooms and a porcelain cabinet which will portray the rococo style in different variations.
JUNE
06.06. Concert “Stravinsky and Strauss” at 17:00 in the White Hall.
Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket outlets throughout Latvia, and at the Palace on the day of the concert. Additional information: www.lso.lv.
Mid- to late June – Old Garden Roses in full bloom.
Every year around the Midsummer Day, visitors are delighted by the collection of gorgeous Old Garden Roses that can be found in the garden of the Palace.
27.06. Rundāle Palace Garden Festival.
This year the rose garden of Rundāle Palace will mark its tenth anniversary. As usual, during the festival there will be a seminar and presentations on roses, as well as an extensive entertainment programme in the garden. With prior application +371 63962197 or +371 26499151.
JULY
All month long – Roses in full bloom.
July is traditionally the month when roses reach their peak bloom.
02.07. Consecration of Duchess Sophia’s sarcophagus.
After its restoration in the Rundāle Palace museum exhibition “The Family Vault of the Dukes of Courland” the restored sarcophagus of Duchess Sophia (mother of Duke Jacob) will return to Jelgava Palace. With prior application +371 63962197 or +371 26499151.
11.07. Conclusion of the XXI International Early Music Festival in Rundāle Palace.
The festival provides the opportunity for modern day people to become familiar with the Middle Ages, renaissance and baroque through music. Tel.: +371 67205485 www.latvijaskoncerti.lv
AUGUST
06.08. Opera music concert “Dedication to Feodor Chaliapin” at 19:00 in the White Hall.
Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket outlets throughout Latvia, and at the palace on the day of the concert. Additional information: www.lso.lv.
SEPTEMBER
18.09. International Scientific Conference “Restoration and Preservation of Culture-Historical Monuments. Theory and Practice”.
The conference is dedicated to the conclusion of the project “Completion of the Restoration of Rundāle Palace 2010-2014” in order to present the restoration of the monumental decorative painting in Rundāle Palace, and to exchange experience with different significant Eastern European restorers of monumental decorative paintings.
On 27 June 2015 we will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the rose garden in the Rundāle Palace Garden Festival. It will mark exactly ten years since the first work was carried out in the rose garden. These years have demonstrated the professionalism and abilities of the museum specialists of Rundāle Palace, who have been able to adapt the rose plants of other climates to the conditions of Latvia, by nurturing and taking care of each and every plant, so that they can blossom beautifully each summer.
From 14:00*
Everything regarding roses (different video, audio and other visual materials on the theme of roses)
Presentation “Rose garden in pictures and numbers”; paying homage to those who have supported and helped the rose garden
Theatre performances for children “Winnie the Pooh and Friends” and “Little Prince and the Rose”
Performances by amateur performance collectives from the municipalities of Bauska and Rundāle, as well as the historical dance group “Magnolia” (Cēsis)
Country music band “Aldis Rullis & Linita” and youth band “Without Borders”
22:30 Closing of the evening with the cello trio “Melo – M”
During the whole day it will be possible to play the orientation game “Get to know the garden of Rundāle Palace”. In the Playground Bosquet there will be a carousel for children, whereas in the Decorative Tree Bosquet – a historic reconstruction “Elegant entertainment in the garden in an 18th century atmosphere”. A fair, as well as creative workshops, will take place in the garden. On the lawn next to the pond one will be able to see a display of AVANT and Ferrus machinery, as well as skill-based activities.
At the end of the evening the visitors are welcome to join in the lighting of the garden, by placing floating candles in the fountain pools.
*changes in the programme are possible
ENTRY INTO THE GARDEN ON THE FESTIVAL DAY adults EUR 4.00, children EUR 2.00
The museum working hours are extended to 20:00 (from 18:00 to 20:00 only the short route)
The Client Services Department of the Rundāle Palace Museum is undertaking a study to assess whether visitors are satisfied with services available at the Museum. You are kindly asked to give us your opinion about our exhibitions, tours, dining facilities and other services and make suggestions for improvements. The questionnaire is available in Latvian, English, Russian and German and will take approximately 10 – 12 minutes to complete. Your identity will remain anonymous.
We hope to improve our existing services and gather information about any other services our visitors would like to use while visiting the Museum.
Questionnaire in English, Russian and German.
Questionnaire for guides and group leaders in English is available here
Thank you in advance. Your participation is highly valued!
16.01. Rundāles novada atklātais amatieru čempionāts hokejā
Jauniešu biedrība “Mums Pieder Pasaule” organizē hokeja čempionātu uz Rundāles pils dīķa. Sīkāka informācija un pieteikšanās https://www.facebook.com/mumspiederpasaule vai http://www.draugiem.lv/mpp/
FEBRUĀRIS
20.02. Liepājas Simfoniskā orķestra koncerts “Aurēlija Šimkus un Vīnes klasika” plkst. 18:00 Baltajā zālē
Biļetes iespējams iegādāties Biļešu paradīzes tirdzniecības vietās visā Latvijā un koncerta dienā pilī. Papildus informācija www.lso.lv
12.03. Liepājas Simfoniskā orķestra koncerts “Mīlas valši Rundālē″ plkst. 17:00 Baltajā zālē
Biļetes iespējams iegādāties Biļešu paradīzes tirdzniecības vietās visā Latvijā un koncerta dienā pilī. Papildus informācija www.lso.lv
26.03. Informatīvā diena gidiem, grupu vadītājiem un citiem interesentiem.
Ar iepriekšēju pieteikšanos 63962197, 26499151
16.04. Liepājas Simfoniskā orķestra koncerts „Metamorfozes” plkst. 17:00 Baltajā zālē
Biļetes iespējams iegādāties Biļešu paradīzes tirdzniecības vietās visā Latvijā un koncerta dienā pilī. Papildus informācija www.lso.lv
Maija vidus – Tulpju ziedēšana.
21.05. Liepājas Simfoniskā orķestra koncerts “Ieva Parša un Liepājas Simfoniskais orķestris” plkst. 17:00 Baltajā zālē.
Biļetes iespējams iegādāties Biļešu paradīzes tirdzniecības vietās visā Latvijā un koncerta dienā pilī. Papildus informācija www.lso.lv
No 25.05. Ekspozīcija “No gotikas līdz jūgendstilam” papildināta ar vienu jaunu telpu klasicisma stilā.
Otrā stāva ekspozīcijā atklātas izstādes “Mode Latvijā 18.gs.” un “Baronu Bēru dzimta Kurzemē”
11.06. Liepājas Simfoniskā orķestra koncerts „Divas Vīnes skolas – klasiskā un jaunā” plkst. 17:00 Baltajā zālē
Biļetes iespējams iegādāties Biļešu paradīzes tirdzniecības vietās visā Latvijā un koncerta dienā pilī. Papildus informācija www.lso.lv
Jūnija vidus-beigas Vēsturisko rožu ziedēšana. Ik gadu ap Jāņu laiku pils dārzā apmeklētājus krāšņi priecē vēsturisko rožu kolekcija.
Visu mēnesi - rožu ziedēšana. Jūlijs tradicionāli iezīmējies kā rožu ziedēšanas kulminācijas mēnesis.
02.07. Rundāles pils Dārza svētki
Šogad Dārza svētki atzīmēs savu desmitgadi. Kā ierasts, svētku laikā būs seminārs un prezentācijas par dārza tēmām, kā arī plaša izklaides programma dārzā. 63962197, 26499151
09.07. XXII Starptautiskā Senās mūzikas festivāla noslēgums Rundāles pilī
Festivāls piedāvā iespēju ar mūzikas starpniecību mūsdienu cilvēkam iejusties viduslaiku, renesanses un baroka laikmetā. T. 67205485 www.latvijaskoncerti.lv
20.08. Liepājas Simfoniskā orķestra koncerts „Baroka mūzikas virsotnes” plkst. 17:00 Baltajā zālē
Biļetes iespējams iegādāties Biļešu paradīzes tirdzniecības vietās visā Latvijā un koncerta dienā pilī. Papildus informācija www.lso.lv
10.09. Liepājas Simfoniskā orķestra koncerts. Nosaukums un laiks tiks precizēts.
Biļetes iespējams iegādāties Biļešu paradīzes tirdzniecības vietās visā Latvijā un koncerta dienā pilī. Papildus informācija www.lso.lv
OKTOBRIS
08.10. Liepājas Simfoniskā orķestra izglītojoša koncertprogamma. Nosaukums tiks precizēts.
Rundāles pils muzejs sadarbībā ar Liepājas Simfonisko orķestri piedāvā izglītojošu koncertprogrammu pirmsskolas un skolas vecuma bērniem.
NOVEMBRIS
05.11. Liepājas Simfoniskā orķestra koncerts. Nosaukums un laiks tiks precizēts.
Biļetes iespējams iegādāties Biļešu paradīzes tirdzniecības vietās visā Latvijā un koncerta dienā pilī. Papildus informācija www.lso.lv
Rundāle Palace is preparing for the 10th anniversary of the Garden Festival
On 2 July 2016, at the peak of the summer and rose season, Rundāle Palace will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Garden Festival. Over the last 10 years, the festival has covered several themes. The first festival in 2007 was devoted to the people who had helped to clean up and shape the garden since the beginning of the reconstruction. The following Garden Festivals were dedicated to the unveiling of the fountain, tulips and other bulbous plants, roses, collections of woody plants and bushes, various flowers, the historical orangeries and parterres, as well as the tenth anniversary of the rose garden. This year the festival focuses on the opening of the Green Theatre after the reconstruction.
Programme of the Garden Festival:
12:30 – 13:30 – children’s programme together with the elves of Čučumuiža;
14:00 – 15:30 – 10 Moments of the Garden Festival performance;
16:00 – 17:00 – opening of the Green Theatre with an educational entertainment performance;
17:30 – 18:30 – concert by Autobuss debesīs band – the end of the festival.
All day long:
• creative workshops and a fair;
• opportunity to travel back in time to the age of Rococo by watching a historic reconstruction Elegant entertainment in the garden in an 18th century atmosphere;
• garden machinery demonstrations;
• horse riding and rides in a pony-drawn cart;
• activities together with the Street Warriors street gymnastics show team – various competitions, an opportunity to learn simple tricks and take photos with the team;
• Get to know the garden of Rundāle Palace – orienteering game for all festival visitors.
Entry into the garden on the festival day: EUR 4.00 for adults, students and pensioners; EUR 2.00 for children and pupils.
We would like to thank the Rundāle Palace Assistance Fund, SIA Skonto Būve, AS RERE Group, and Rožmalas leisure complex for their support.
MORE INFORMATION
About the Festival
The Rundāle Palace Museum has been organising the Garden Festival since 2007. It brings together gardening experts and enthusiasts, families with children, tourists from abroad, people who have helped to clean up the garden, museum supporters and regular visitors, as well as anyone else who is interested. The concept of the festival is to educate visitors through different seminars, lectures and exhibitions and entertain them with performances on stage.
About the Green Theatre
The renowned Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli included the Green Theatre in the shape of an amphitheatre with hedges for stage wings in the 1735 plan of the Rundāle Palace Baroque style garden. The restoration project was developed by the architects of the institute Giproteatr. The project fully matches the layout in Rastrelli’s plan with the semicircular amphitheatre and wings, which are placed increasingly closer to one another towards the back of the stage. The back of the amphitheatre is enclosed with hornbeam hedges, while the oblique hornbeam wings on the sides of the stage help improve acoustics. The fir trees were planted in 1993, and the steps and benches were built in 2003. The Green Theatre was opened in 2004 with a performance of George Frideric Handel’s opera Rinaldo, which was financed by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany. The performance was viewed by more than 700 people. The work on the theatre continued with the construction of pavilions, which were built after the example of the pavilions of Peterhof Gardens and designed for the storage of theatre light equipment. The supporting walls of the amphitheatre and the curved front slope of the stage were created anew.
FEBRUARY
25.02. Concert of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra “Bach and Stravinsky” at 17:00 in the White Hall
Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket outlets throughout Latvia, and at the Palace on the day of the concert. Additional information: www.lso.lv.
APRIL
08.04. Concert of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra at 17:00 in the White Hall. Name to be specified.
Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket outlets throughout Latvia, and at the Palace on the day of the concert. Additional information: www.lso.lv.
MAY
Mid-May – Tulips in full bloom.
From 25.05. Exhibition “From Gothic Style to Art Nouveau”, supplemented with two new rooms dedicated to the Empire and Biedermeier styles.
Exhibition on the second floor supplemented with one new room – “The hunting room”.
JUNE
03.06. Concert of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra at 18:00 in the White Hall. Name will be specified.
Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket outlets throughout Latvia, and at the Palace on the day of the concert. Additional information: www.lso.lv.
Mid- to late June – Old garden roses in full bloom. Every year around the Midsummer Day, visitors are delighted by the collection of gorgeous Old Garden Roses that can be found in the garden of the Palace.
JULY
All month long – roses in full bloom. July is traditionally the month when roses reach their peak bloom.
01.07. Rundāle Palace Garden Festival
This year the Garden Festival will be dedicated to hunting theme. As usual, during the festival there will be a seminar and presentations on various garden related topics, as well as a broad entertainment programme in the garden. 63962197, 26499151
08.07. Conclusion of the XXIII International Early Music Festival in Rundāle Palace
The festival provides the opportunity for modern day people to become familiar with the Middle Ages, renaissance and baroque through music. Tel.: +371 67205485 www.latvijaskoncerti.lv
AUGUST
19.08. Concert of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra at 18:00 in the White Hall. Name will be specified.
Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket outlets throughout Latvia, and at the Palace on the day of the concert. Additional information: www.lso.lv.
SEPTEMBER
09.09. Concert of the Liepāja Symphony Orchestra at 18:00 in the White Hall. Name will be specified.
Tickets can be purchased at “Biļešu paradīze” ticket outlets throughout Latvia, and at the Palace on the day of the concert. Additional information: www.lso.lv.
While the nature is engulfed in winter, Rundāle Palace greenhouse makes you feel like in summer, see banana tree, various citric plants and other greenhouse plants. The banana has bloomed for the second time already; rich harvest is yielded by citric plants – various lemon-trees and kumquat tree with small, orange fruits.
The renovated greenhouse of Countess Shuvalova was opened in 2013. Then it housed 363 plants, self-cultivated or received as presents (almost all of them are listed in the 1852 inventory of Rundāle Palace). Now collection includes traditional greenhouse plants and exotic plants – kiwifruits, tangerines, kumquats, lemons, coffea, fig-tree, guava-tree, banana-tree, etc.
We invite you to take a walk in the park of the Palace, and later to shoo away the cold by visiting exhibits in the Palace.
The visit to the greenhouse should be notified to: +371 63962197, +371 26499151 or booking@rundale.net
The price of greenhouse visits: adults – € 1,50, pupils – € 0,70. Tickets available at the museum ticket office.
The most valuable portion of the Rundāle Palace Museum porcelain collection are Far East Asian vases. 17th – 19th century Chinese and Japanese vases of a size and appearance consistent with the premises are displayed in two porcelain rooms – besides the Gold Hall and the White Hall. Taking into account the symmetry considerations and preserving the initial concept, the new acquisitions of the Museum shall be displayed at the Oval room besides the White Hall in January; five outstanding bleu poudré vases and two Chinese vases with blue cobalt underglaze painting shall be placed on cantilevers, and to Japanese vases – on the floor.
Bleu poudré (blue powdered) vases have fine painting of blooming sprays with golden elements. In the past they were owned by Napoleon Maret de Bassano (1803-1898), chamberlain of Napoleon III.
Until now there were five Japanese vases with cobalt underglaze paintings and red and gold overglaze decoration displayed on the floor, opposite to the entrance. This part of collections now has been enriched by additional two unique Japanese porcelain vases with covers.
After the expansion of the collection the Oval Room reflects even more thoroughly the interest in the exotic and amazing inherent to the European palaces of 18th century.
Between 13 March and 3 May the crowns of the common lime-trees are shaped to fit the general image of the baroque-style French garden. Arborists from SIA Labie koki have undertaken to form globe-shaped crowns for 656 limes. Crown shaping involves also removal of deadwood and damaged branches thus facilitating formation of evenly distributed branches and dense foliage.
Foundation Rundāles Pils Atbalsta Fonds receives donations also from Latvian entrepreneurs. Part of the funds is apportioned to restoration of the Palace, another part – for acquisition of art objects.
We are delighted to announce that at the end of 2016 Museum from the auction Fine European Ceramics held by auction house Bonhams successfully acquired exquisite objet d’art – Meissen potpourri vase circa 1760. The most appropriate location for exhibit of the vase was chosen in March. It shall be displayed in the Duchess’ salon on a console-table between two decorative vases. Museum staff members have named the potpourri vase – Lidija Vase – in honour of the wife of the donor Mr. Vitālijs Gavrilovs.
The word “potpourri” comes into English from the French word pot-pourri (literally – “rotten pot”), it was first mentioned in 17th century by French writer Antoine Furetière and was used to describe special mixture of aromas and perfumes. Later the word was used also for vessels containing mix of dried flowers, plants, oils, resins and sea salt providing the room with pleasant fragrance.
Museum hereby expresses its gratitude for each donation and financial support in renovation of Rundāle Palace and replenishment of our exhibition.
On 1 July Garden Festival will once again be held at the park of Rundāle Palace. This year’s theme of the Festival shall be hunting. Traditional activities – festive shows, concerts, fairs, creative workshops, orientation game – shall be supplemented by corresponding novelties: parade of hunting dogs, dog skill and elk calling demonstrations.
10 600 bulbous flowers were planted in the garden in 2016. Presently daffodils, hyacinths, primroses, hellebores are blooming; tulips shall bloom in the middle of May – 93 sorts of tulips are planted in an area of 94 m2. All plants are budding, magnolia slowly opens its blossoms. We are glad that the plants have not been significantly affected by the Spring frosts.
Labyrinth with diameter of 20 m was formed in the Labyrinth Bosquet last year.
We would also like to remind that starting from 1 May Palace and the park shall be open until 6 p.m.
Noticeable changes await visitors of Rundāle Palace – outstanding acquisitions forming part of the main exhibition and four reconstructed display rooms that will be open from 25 May. Two of the aforementioned – in the private apartments of the duke. Authentic 18th century sitz-bath and other peculiar household items are on display in the Duke’s Bathroom. The Hunting Room is decorated by paintings of prominent artists, trophy antlers, hunting weapons and goblets of 17th and 18th century. Silver goblet once presented to the Duke of Courland Ernst Johann by the King of Poland Augustus II will be on display for another year.
The exhibit of decorative arts From the Gothic Style to Art Noveau has been supplemented by another two historic styles of art – Empire style and Biedermeier. Rundāle Palace Museum is justly proud of this display being the only one in Latvia that provides so comprehensive insight into the development of decorative arts in Europe since 15th century. Many exhibits are the only representations of some group of objects in Latvia, and many speak of the excellence of old artisans of Latvia.
As the current theme for this year is hunting, there will be two exhibitions on display at the lobbies of the Palace starting from 25 May: Hunting Through the Eyes of the Artists and display of trophy antlers (in cooperation with Zemgale Forest District).
On 1 July 2017 – during the most beautiful rose blossoming time – we will hold the yearly Garden Festival. This year’s theme of the Festival will be hunting. Besides visiting the park and the palace visitors of the Garden Festival will have the possibility to to discover and acquire new knowledge, enjoy musical and theatrical shows, while relaxing together with their family or friends.
Program of the Festival
| Time | Location | Activity |
| 12:30 | The Green Theatre | Children’s program |
| 14:00 | The Large Stage | Performance “The Hunt” |
| 16:00 | Western Apple Orchard | Parade of hunting dogs and display of their working skills |
| 18:30 | The Green Theatre | Elk calling demonstrations |
| 20:00 | The Large Stage | Concert |
| All through the day | ||
| Garden | Orientation game and market | |
| Bosquet of Lilies | Creative workshops; taking photos with rabbits | |
| Bosquet of decorative fruit-trees | “Vineyard” and reconstruction of historical illumination of 18th and 19th century |
|
| Lobby of the palace | Exhibitions dedicated to hunting | |
ENTRY TO THE PARK DURING FESTIVAL: EUR 4.00 – adults, EUR 2.00 – children
Use of entry bracelets
Garden Festival entry bracelets will be put on the hands of the visitors able to produce valid ticket at the entrances to the park. Bracelet must stay in the hand all-through the visit. Bracelets may be checked. If checkup officer finds bracelet invalid or there is no bracelet, visitor will be asked to leave the park territory. It is forbidden to transfer the bracelet to another person. Counterfeit, damaged (torn, cut, sewn, glued) or loosely put on bracelets shall be deemed invalid.
For the time period from 5 to 11 August a Phlox Exhibit shall be available to visitors at the east-wing kitchen of Rundāle Palace (on the Ground floor besides the restaurant). The colourful and fragrant flowers that are popular in Latvia since 18th century were grown in Lejasbrūži of Smiltene Townland – in the garden of collector and selectionist Ērika Trifanova.
Exhibit is free of charge.
