Zaļenieki Manor

The manor was designed by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli and sits within a 27-hectare landscape park featuring ponds and ornamental lakes. Today it operates as a vocational secondary school, with the historic structure maintained for its continued educational purpose.

Duke Ernst Johann von Biron initiated construction in 1766, launching a new architectural era in Courland. Following nationalization in the 1920s, the building transitioned to educational use, marking a shift in its public function.

The dining hall displays wall paintings layered beneath multiple coats of paint, with ceiling decorations in Empire and Renaissance styles featuring illusory frames. These artistic details remain visible to visitors and shape how the interior spaces feel.

The grounds are partially accessible, though visitors should remember this is an active school facility. It helps to check ahead for information about open areas and to plan visits around regular school hours.

The manor blends Late Baroque and Classicism in an unusual way, representing the first significant early classical architectural model of its region. This mixture of two style periods was intentionally chosen by Rastrelli, making the building architecturally noteworthy.

Location: Zaļenieki

Inception: 18 century

Architects: Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli

Website: https://zav.lv

GPS coordinates: 56.53422,23.51690

Latest update: December 13, 2025 17:07