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Rooms at Rundäle Castle Part 2 by Joelle

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Rooms at Rundäle Castle Part 2 by Joelle

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Rooms at Rundäle Castle Part 1 by Selene

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Rooms at Rundäle Castle Part 1 by Selene

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Tautumeitas - Raganu Nakts (Official Music Video)

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The palace was first built in the 16th century, and it was designed by F.B Rastrelli. Grotthus' family were the owners of the castle until 1735, when Johann von Biron bought it for 42 000 thalers (that were the coins used at Latvia at that time). He decided to torn down the palace that was already there, and all the building materials left over from the demolition were reused to build the new castle. The building process was made in two different periods. It started being built from 1736 to 1740, but the building was finished in the second period, that goes from 1764 to 1768. When Johann von Biron died, the property started belonging to his wife, Benigna Gottlieb. Few years later, the palace ended being property of the Duchy of Courland, but when the Duchy started being part of the Russian empire, the castle’s owner changed very often. Although the palace wasn’t changing significantly, in 1812, because of the Franco-Russian War, there building suffered some damages, for example the library was totally destroyed. The widow of Prince Platón Zubov, who was the owner during the War, married Count Andrey Shuvalov and the castle started being his. His family, the Shuvalovs, will own the palace until 1920. It was 1880 when they finally did a renovation of the interior of the palace, and some furniture and artworks were taken to Saint Petersburg.

In 1919 the palace was demolished again, but they renovated it in 1923. Finally, they did the last restoration, which finished in 2014.

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In what way does our heritage site contribute to European identity?

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In what way does our heritage site contribute to European identity?

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We think that the Rundäle castle contributes to European identity because of the history of this palace.
As Semgallen joins the EU and the NATO too, the Ruhental castle were builed. In this way it reminds to all things and actions that happened until Latvia was also a part of the European Union, so it passes on all values for the next generations of society.
In addition, old and important works of art are exhibited there, which are of great importance for the country and all of Europe too.

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At the moment the Ruhental palace is being used as a museum for the exhibition of art treasures from Europe and the East from the last four centuries. The museum is managed by Imants Lancmanis.

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Rundäle castle, formerly Ruhental, is situated in the region Semgallen which is in Latvia. This is 10 kilometers west of the city Bauska.

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The Rundäle Castle is one of the most important architectual monuments of the baroque and rococo.
Moreover, the palace Versailles in Paris was taken as a model and because of that it is called the Versailles of the Baltikums.
It has a palace garden where you can examine a large park which has a great diversity of plants.
In addition, it has a courtyard with the main entrance which is bigger than most of all swimming yards. Also, after a major renovation in which the original silk wallpaper got renewed, the golden and white halls are open for visitors.
At least, the castle has three wings and two floors within 138 rooms and halls spread over 7000 square meters.