Private Excursion To Rundale Palace

On this 6-hour excursion, you will visit Rundale Palace which was built in the 18th century as the summer residence of the Duke of Courland, Ernest Johann von Biron. The construction was inaugurated in 1736 and as von Biron was favored by the Russian Czarina, Anna Ivanovna, he succeeded in engaging the Italian architect, Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the main architect of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. This tour shows the impressive Throne Hall, the White Hall and the Small and Grand Galleries, as well as a beautiful park around the palace. According to history, the construction was interrupted in 1738 when von Biron and Rastrelli inaugurated the construction of an even larger residence in the Courland capital of Jelgava. When Czarina Anna Ivanova died in 1740, von Biron was exiled and could only return accompanied by Rastrelli in 1763 when he was reinstated by the Russian empress Catherina the 2nd. The palace and the interior were, therefore, only completed in 1763-1768 and were fairly devastated through the course of time until, in 1972, a comprehensive restoration of the palace was started.

Highlights:

• Visit Rundale Palace
• Learn the history of the aristocratic residence
• Explore the many rooms and galleries
• Wander the well-manicured palace grounds
• Private English-speaking guide, transportation, short-route entrance fee and the garden visit included