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RUNDALE
Rundale Palace is an architectural pearl of Latvia created by an outstanding architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, designer of the Winter Palace in St.Petersburg.
Rastrelli was invited to design the palace by Birzov, the favourite of empress Anna, in 1735 when the Duke of Kurzeme was just preparing to take the throne. For building the palace Biron invited the best masters in Russia, dreaming about luxurious residence. Sudden death of empress in 1740 broke off Biron's career and he was exiled for 22 years. Construction of the palace was completed only in 1768 and now it is a magnificent sample of baroque style with elements of classicism. The building changed hands twice. Empress Yekaterina the Great gave it as a gift to count Zubov. His successor count Shuvalov owned the palace till 1920.
In 1972 complex restoration of Rundale Palace ensemble and beautiful surrounding park began.
On the ground floor of Rundale Palace the exhibition of new acquisitions from the museum funds and donations and Historical exhibition in photos are opened.
Nowadays this museum became a centre of tourist attraction. Crystal chandeliers, rich stucco moulding, silk wallpaper, collection of paintings, frescos by Italian artists. This is the place where leaders of the state, wishing to receive high guests with really regal honours, hosted the royal couple from Denmark when they visited in Latvia.
