Mežotne Palace
Encyclopedia
Mežotne Palace is a palace
in the historical region of Zemgale, in Latvia
, Bauska region (former Mežotne
municipality in Bauska district).
Built in Classicism
style during 1798-1802 for a teacher and governess of grandchildren of Russian Empress Catherine II - Charlotte von Lieven (1742–1828). Architects of the palace were famous Italian Giacomo Quarenghi
and architect of the Kazdanga palace
G.A. Berlitz. Both Kazdanga and Mežotne palaces has many similarities in forms. Simultaneously with palace there has been shaped also an English style landscape park and complex of subsidiary buildings, creating one of the most impressive Classicism style ensembles in Latvia.
Palace suffered heavily in the First and later in the second world war.
Family of Lieven
s owned the palace up to agrarian reform in 1920. Palace and park underwent reconstruction in 2001 and since then here is located hotel.
Palace
A palace is a grand residence, especially a royal residence or the home of a head of state or some other high-ranking dignitary, such as a bishop or archbishop. The word itself is derived from the Latin name Palātium, for Palatine Hill, one of the seven hills in Rome. In many parts of Europe, the...
in the historical region of Zemgale, in Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
, Bauska region (former Mežotne
Mežotne
Mežotne is a town in Latvia 10 km west of Bauska and 40 km south of the capital of Latvia, Riga. It lies in the historical region of Zemgale on the left bank of the Lielupe river near the Lithuanian border.- Mežotne Palace :...
municipality in Bauska district).
Built in Classicism
Classicism
Classicism, in the arts, refers generally to a high regard for classical antiquity, as setting standards for taste which the classicists seek to emulate. The art of classicism typically seeks to be formal and restrained: of the Discobolus Sir Kenneth Clark observed, "if we object to his restraint...
style during 1798-1802 for a teacher and governess of grandchildren of Russian Empress Catherine II - Charlotte von Lieven (1742–1828). Architects of the palace were famous Italian Giacomo Quarenghi
Giacomo Quarenghi
Giacomo Quarenghi was the foremost and most prolific practitioner of Palladian architecture in Imperial Russia, particularly in Saint Petersburg.- Career in Italy :...
and architect of the Kazdanga palace
Kazdanga Palace
Kazdanga Palace is located in the village Kazdanga, Kazdanga parish, Aizpute municipality, Latvia.- History :The palace was built in the years 1800-1804 in the style of late classicism, built by the project of J.G. Berlitz. There is stone bridge, leading to the palace...
G.A. Berlitz. Both Kazdanga and Mežotne palaces has many similarities in forms. Simultaneously with palace there has been shaped also an English style landscape park and complex of subsidiary buildings, creating one of the most impressive Classicism style ensembles in Latvia.
Palace suffered heavily in the First and later in the second world war.
Family of Lieven
Lieven
The Lievens are one of the oldest and noblest families of Baltic Germans. They claim descent from Caupo of Turaida , the Livonian quasi rex who converted to Christianity in 1186, when Bishop Meinhard attempted to Christianize the region...
s owned the palace up to agrarian reform in 1920. Palace and park underwent reconstruction in 2001 and since then here is located hotel.