Cesvaine Palace
Description
A pearl of late 19th-century eclectic architecture and an architectural monument of national significance, Cesvaine Palace has been both home to the nobility and from 1919 to 2002 – a school.
Cesvaine has a rich and colourful history: its German name “Seβwegen” was first mentioned in writings in 1209, and in 1390, the first stone castle was built here, of which only a small fragment survives to this day.
Built between 1893 and 1896, the new Cesvaine Palace was designed as the family home of the German baron Adolf Gerhard von Wulf, incorporating the building into the existing ensemble of manor buildings. It has been the property of the von Wulf family since 1815. The 19th-century forester’s lodge, stables, barns, beer brewery, greenhouses, steward’s house and other original buildings have survived in varying quality.
The palace was designed by Berlin architects Hans Grisebach and August Dinklage. A magnificent example of Historicism in Latvia and Europe, the palace’s stone design fuses Gothic, Renaissance, Romanesque and Art Nouveau styles. The palace and manor building ensemble also endow modern Cesvaine with its unique features.
The noble family lived here shortly, as the baron’s family moved to Germany after his unfortunate passing in 1904. In 1919, Cesvaine Secondary School moved into the palace’s premises. On 5 December 2002, a fire broke out, destroying its roof and damaging its interior. Since the tragic event, the palace has undergone various restoration works.
Cesvaine Palace houses 5 monuments of national significance: a set of doors, 4 unique fireplaces, metalwork on the façade, interior decoration in 9 rooms and 4 murals on the loggia ceilings which are brilliant high-quality examples of monumental painting.
The collection includes photographs, documents and objects on the history of Cesvaine and its neighbourhood.
Visitors can explore a part of the castle’s interior and cellars, enjoy the observation deck on the large tower and the outdoor terraces.
Cesvaine Palace is being developed as a cultural and art exhibition centre, with improved environmental accessibility and catering services available from spring 2023.
Improvements made within the project
The project restored flooring on the palace’s second floor, installed the metal and wooden roof structures, laid the clay tile roofing in a total area of 1,509 m2, built brick chimneys, installed the wooden structures and wooden plank roofing for the towers, manufactured (restored) and installed the roof’s decorative metalwork, assembled the chiselled stone pediments, and installed a rainwater drainage system. A new exhibition was developed as well.
Investments – EUR 1,254,641.17
Of which:
ERDF funding – EUR 750,000
state budget grant – EUR 37,283.82
municipal co-funding – EUR 467,357.35
The project was implemented by Cesvaine Municipality Council.
Address
Pils street 1, Cesvaine
Working time
1.05. – 31.10.
Monday – closed
Tuesday – Thursday 10.00-18.00
Friday – Saturday 10.00 – 19.00
Sunday 10.00 – 18.00
1.11. – 30.04.
Monday – closed
Tuesday – Saturday 10.00-17.00
Sunday 10.00 – 16.00
Admission fee
- EUR 6 for adults
- EUR 3 for pupils, students, and pensioners
- EUR 10 for families
– 1 adult + 1 to 3 children,
– 2 adults + 1 to 2 children. - EUR 8.50 for families
– 1 adult + 1 to 4 children,
– 2 adults + 1 to 3 children,
– large families (with the 3+ Family Card or other proof of large family status) - EUR 2.50 per person for pupils, students, and pensioners in groups of 10 or more
- EUR 5 per person for adults in groups of 10 or more.
Free admission for:
- Children up to 7 years of age
- Persons under 18 years of age with disabilities
- Persons with group I and II disabilities (with a valid certificate) and 1 person accompanying the disabled person
- Orphans and children without parental care (with proof of status) and accompanying persons (1 person per 10 children)
- Children from boarding schools and social rehabilitation centres (with proof of status) and accompanying persons (1 person per 10 children)
- Group leader (1 person) for groups of up to 25 people
- Group leaders (2 persons) for groups of 25 or more.
On the last Wednesday of each month, all visitors to the palace are admitted free of charge.
Guided tours (in addition to the admission fee):
Tour of Cesvaine Palace (45 min.)
Tour of Cesvaine Manor Complex (45 min.):
LV:
EUR 2 per person for groups of up to 10 people
EUR 25 for groups of up to 29 people
EUR 40 for groups of 30 or more
RU, EN, DE:
EUR 2.50 per person for groups of up to 10 people
EUR 30 for groups of up to 29 people
EUR 60 EUR for groups of 30 or more
Tour of Cesvaine Palace and the manor complex (1 h 30 min.)
LV:
EUR 3 per person for groups of up to 10 people
EUR 30 for groups of up to 29 people
EUR 50 for groups of 30 or more
RU, EN, DE:
EUR 3.50 per person for groups of up to 10 people
EUR 35 for groups of up to 29 people
EUR 70 for groups of 30 or more
Getting there
By private transport or on foot, as well as by public transport on the routes Madona–Gulbene, Jēkabpils–Alūksne, etc.
Good to know
Guided tours of the palace are available: Discover the palace’s history, day-to-day life and its most prominent figures. Call: +371 28337703, +371 64852225
Rooms for hire: For private and corporate events, music and art events, plein airs and creative workshops in the palace or the tea house next to the palace. Call: +371 22331112
