- Address: Mežotnes pils, Mežotne, Mežotnes pagasts, LV-3918, Latvia;
- Operating time: Mon. - Fri. from 09:00 to 17:00, Sat, Sun. - output;
- Phone: +371 63 960 711;
- Website: mezotnespils.lv.
While traveling in Latvia , tourists are recommended to visit Mezotne village, located just 76 km from Riga and 10 km from the town of Bauska . Here is an architectural monument of antiquity, referring to the period of history when Latvia was a part of the Russian Empire. The village is famous for such an object as the palace Mezotne - the family estate of Livens, built by the order of Princess Charlotte Karlovna Lieven.
Mezotne Palace - history of creation
It is interesting that the customer of the construction, Princess Leaven, was here only once, accompanied by the second wife of Emperor Paul the First. But it is in this estate that its burial is located. As the legend of the family says, the main house was built according to the project of Giacomo Quarenghi himself - a very famous architect of Italian origin.
Construction work on the construction of Mezotne Palace began in 1798 and lasted until 1802. During this time, a plan for a luxurious three-story palace was developed, and the landscape of an adjacent plot of about 9 hectares was considered. In addition to the mansion for the owners, the houses for the gardener and the manager were planned, and the stables could not be built.
After the death of Princess Charlotte Lieven, the estate passed to her son and was passed on from generation to generation until the revolution. In 1920, it was nationalized, resulting in the opening of the Agricultural School. The estate was heavily damaged during the Second World War, but the restoration work began only in 1958.
Restoration continued until 2001, because it was carried out in parts. First, the facade was restored, because the dome was finished, and lastly the park was renovated. Efforts and funds were spent not in vain, because the estate now houses an exclusive hotel, there is a hall for seminars and meetings, as well as a cafe.
Mezotne Palace as a tourist destination
In the premises of Mezotne Palace there is a museum, weddings and other celebrations are often held here. Tourists like to explore the surroundings, they are interested to get to the river, flowing near the pontoon bridge. If desired, on the shore you can find a monument to Soviet soldiers who mounted this very crossing. Crossing the bridge, you can reach the small palace. Walking through the park of the estate, tourists will meet interesting sculptures. Inspection of the interior is paid, but it is worth it, because you can see all the splendor of this building.
To imagine all the former luxury, you should go up to the second floor, where all the cognitive exposures are located. Part of the wall decor is painted, but in some places stucco is also found. In combination with pieces of furniture that are directly related to the castle, everything looks very exciting.
How to get to the Mezotne Palace?
Mezotne Palace is an hour's drive from Riga and at a distance of 15 km from the town of Bauska. It will be best if you follow the A7 motorway.