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Mezotnes Palace in the south of Latvia, which was built at the end of 18 century, is one of the most beautiful examples of classicism in the Baltic states. Mezotnes Palace is surrounded by the beautiful landscape park making it very interesting to visit the palace.

The construction of the Mezotnes Palace was begun in 1795 by the design of a famous architect Quarenghi from Petersburg. It was the Russian empress Catherine II who wanted to build the palace and then gave it to the governess Charlotte von Lieven, who brought up her grandchildren (children of her son Paul), future emperors Alexander I and Nicholas I.

Paul I, whose children she brought up, became the emperor in 1794. And in 1797 he made the Mezotnes Palace a patrimonial estate of Charlotte von Lieven, but she didn’t move to her estate and continued to live with her wards.

Charlotte von Lieven visited her estate only once in 1818. She did it with Marie Fyodorovna, the former empress and the wife of the murdered Paul I. But they stayed there for only 2 days and left. In 1826 the emperor Nicholas I, who was very fond of his governess conferred the title of princes on her and when she died and one of those who carried her coffin.

After the death of Charlotte von Lieven the Mezotnes Palace was owned by her heirs until 1920 when it was nationalized. Today the Mezotnes Palace is an out-of-town hotel where you can have a wonderful recreation on the landscape. Also, there were restored the interiors of the ceremonial rooms of the palace.

At the start of 19th century a wonderful English park complex was created around the Mezotnes Palace. It consists of the Winter Park, the Summer Park and the Ceremonial Court. Natural beauty of the place was preserved and the slow flow of the river Lielupe creates a good atmosphere for out-of-town recreation.

In the immediate vicinity of the Mezotnes Palace there are another two sights of southern Latvia – the Rundale Palace and the Bauska Castle. The Rundale Palace was also built Russian emperors in the reign of Anne of Russia, while the Bauska Castle was a knight fortress of 15 century. You can visit all these sights during a one-day excursion from Riga.

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Mezotnes palace was built by the Russian emperor Paul I for the governess of his children Charlotte von Lieven in 1798
Rotunda is the largest room of the Mezotnes palace
Front side of the Mezotnes palace at the city of Bauska
Today the Mezotnes palace houses a hotel
Interiors of the Mezotnes palace were completely restored after the war
Ballroom of the Mezotnes palace
A grassy plot on the picturesque bank of the river Lielupe in front of the Mezotnes palace
Pedestrian bridge over the river Lielupe near the Mezotnes palace
Picturesque bank of the river Lielupe near the Mezotnes palace
Private chambers of Charlotte von Lieven, whom the empress Catherine II appointed the governess of her grandchildren
Portraits and engravings of the Russian empress Catherine II who employed Charlotte von Lieven
Main enfilade of rooms at the Mezotnes palace
Rotunda of the Mezotnes palace
Roof of the Rotunda of the Mezotnes palace
Sculptures near the entrance of the Mezotnes palace
Enfilade of the ground floor of the Mezotnes palace
Mezotnes palace was designed in the style of classicism by the architect Quarenghi 
Mezotnes palace was designed in the style of classicism by the architect Quarenghi 
Mezotnes palace was designed in the style of classicism by the architect Quarenghi 
Flank of the Mezotnes palace facing the bank of the river Lielupe
Park on the bank of the river Lielupe near the Mezotnes palace
Park on the bank of the river Lielupe near the Mezotnes palace
Tomb of the Lettish soldiers who perished on the bank of the river Lielupe near the Mezotnes palace in 1944
Resting place under the oaks at the park of the Mezotnes palace on the bank of the river Lielupe