Rundale Palace – is one of the most famous Latvian cultural heritage objects that is situated 66 km from Riga in the fertile plains of Zemgale. The palace looks as an oasis in a desert. It was started to build in 1738 by the initiative of the Duke of Kurland Ernst Johann Biron. The palace was designed and the construction was handled by Italian born Russian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who also built the Winter Palace of St. Petersburg. This is the only surviving palace of this style in the Baltic countries, offering the most exceptional baroque and rococo style decorations, paintings and the environment. The biggest impression to the visitor will be left by the Golden Hall, also known as the Throne Hall, the White Hall, decorated by the famous German plaster decorator Johann Michael Graff, the dormitory of the Duke Ernst Johann Biron and the rest of richly decorated palace rooms. A wonderful view can be obtained from the duke’s bedroom window to the French style park that characterizes in symmetry, colours and plant diversity. A visit to the park can be made upon request.
