The palace interior features a 'Golden Hall' used for state receptions, which boasts a ceiling painted by Francesco Martini and Carlo Zucchi.
The Duke's summer residence was never fully completed during the 18th century, with significant sections left unfinished until modern restoration efforts.
The garden design incorporates a 'Green Theatre' used for open-air concerts and theatrical performances.
The museum collection includes one of the largest exhibits of Delftware in the Baltics.
The palace complex is situated on a site formerly occupied by a medieval castle built by the Livonian Order in the 14th century.
The rose garden is arranged by historical origin and fragrance profile rather than strictly by color.
Rundāle Palace, located in the Bauska region of Latvia, is an 18th-century Baroque and Rococo architectural monument designed by architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli. Originally commissioned as a summer residence for Ernst Johann von Biron, Duke of Courland and Semigallia, the complex spans a palace building, a French-style formal garden, and an expansive surrounding park. The museum interiors house significant collections of Latvian art, porcelain, and period furniture, alongside restored state rooms like the Golden Hall and the White Hall. The palace underwent extensive restoration starting in the 1970s, which continues to inform its current preservation status. The formal garden features a rose garden containing over 2,000 cultivars, making it a major horticultural site in the Baltic region. The site covers approximately 72 hectares of total grounds. It remains one of the most significant examples of Baroque architecture in the Baltics.
The central axis of the French formal garden looking back toward the palace facade.
Allocate separate time for the interior museum tour and the outdoor garden grounds, as they require distinct tickets and significant walking.
Wear comfortable, flat footwear, as the palace parquet floors and expansive gravel garden paths are extensive.
Visit the visitor information desk to request a map of the rose garden, as the layout is complex and covers a large area.
Do not attempt to see both the palace interior and the full garden grounds in under two hours, as the scale of the property requires substantial walking.
The French garden and park may have different operating dates than the museum interior, particularly during winter months when outdoor facilities are limited.
Avoid touching artifacts, paintings, or furniture; photography without flash is typically permitted for personal use unless otherwise marked.
