The Crafts House of the Krāslava Castle Complex
Description
More than 290 years ago, the Counts of Krāslava – the Broel-Plater family – jump-started the development of the town. Inspired by their European travels, they built a lavish manor house, whose central 18th-century Baroque building, dubbed “the Palace” by the locals, preserves unique murals by Giovanni Battista Piranesi. The palace’s romantic landscape park is perched on the Daugava riverbanks, safeguarding ancient trees and a grotto with a stone lion keeping the memories of yore. Stables, orangeries, a pheasant farm and other outbuildings were built alongside the palace. Craftsmen from Poland and Germany were invited to Krāslava to weave velvet and broadcloth, as well as manufacture jewellery, playing cards, and stove tiles.
Today, the Krāslava Palace complex is the most popular tourist attraction in Krāslava municipality. The palace servants’ house and the former stables now house the Krāslava Museum of History and Art which offers various fascinating exhibitions. The palace steward’s house hosts the Krāslava Municipality Tourism Information Centre, a souvenir shop, the Latgale Culinary Heritage Centre and a unique collection of porcelain dolls. The palace’s rich landscape park boasting 70 different species of trees and shrubs was described by Latvian park architect Ilze Māra Janelis as the largest park on the Daugava River in such a lofty terrain, with such high terraces, so many preserved buildings and such a large and multifunctional parade courtyard.
There is a legend of a great and loyal love related to the noble Plater family, best heard right here in Krāslava, on top of Karņickis Hill.
Improvements made within the project
From November 2017 to June 2018, extensive reconstruction works were carried out in the Craft House – the former stables of the Krāslava Palace complex.
The project replaced the roof on the entire building, renovated the façade, installed utility connections, renovated the palace’s interior in the part facing the palace courtyard, and developed the palace’s grounds.
The project developed various services: the exhibition Pī vīna golda (At One Table) hosting masterclasses and exhibits of artists and craftspeople on request, a memorial room for the local painter Valentīns Zlidnis, and rooms for demonstrations and tasting of Latgale’s culinary heritage. Some rooms house the open collections of the Krāslava Museum of History and Art.
Investments – EUR 864,835.41
Of which:
ERDF funding – EUR 425,000
state budget grant – EUR 22,500
municipal funding – EUR 417,335.41
The project was implemented by Krāslava Municipality Council.
Address
Pils street 10, Krāslava
Working time
Outside visits to the Craft House and the Krāslava Palace are available at any time.
Wednesday – Friday: 10:00 – 17:00;
Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00;
Sunday: 10:00 – 14:00
…or at a specific time arranged in advance.
Admission fee
Visiting the public outdoor space is free of charge.
Visits to the museum exhibitions:
- EUR 1 for adults
- EUR 0.50 for pupils and students
- Workshops organised by prior arrangement
Getting there
Located in Krāslava’s historical centre. Access by private transport and on foot. Public transport: train Rīga–Krāslava, bus Rīga–Daugavpils, bus Daugavpils–Krāslava, bus Rēzekne–Krāslava.
Good to know
The outdoor space of the Krāslava Palace Complex is accessible without restriction, exhibition visit times should be checked in advance before arrival. Pre-arrangements for tours and workshops at Krāslava Palace by calling the numbers listed in contacts.
Contacts
Krāslava Museum of History and Art.
Pils street 8, Krāslava, +371 656 23586, [email protected]
Krāslava Municipality Tourism Information Centre
Pils street 2, Krāslava, +371 656 22201, [email protected]
Craft House and the Krāslava Palace
Pils street 10, Krāslava, +371 26348644, [email protected]
