Pakruojis Manor, Lithuania

June 10th
This morning we went to Rundale Palace, a baroque palace built for the Duke of Courland starting in 1736, but in 1740 the Duke was exiled to Siberia and did not get back until 1762 but he was then able to finish the building. Of course it was derelict for a long time, but in 1972 Lithuania was able to convince Moscow it should be restored. It has only been open a few months and it is absolutely magnificent.

A few pictures

There are ~180 rooms but only 42 are restored.

There are hectares of formal gardens in the French Style think Versailles and a huge rose garden of more than 2000 roses, but spring is late this year so they are not yet in flower.

The interior is magnificent - the ceilings are illustrating Greek myths.

 No shortage of gilt. Some of these ornate rooms were used as a primary school during Soviet times..

The furniture is from the 18thC.

 Most rooms have these Delft tiled stoves.

Showing the heating system where the servants put in the logs.

An 18thC bathroom.

Over 4000m of brocade, damask and brocatelle have been woven and they all look fabulous.

Inlaid ivory which could not be made today.

Table set for a family dinner

Porcelain and metal chandelier.

Beautiful parquetry floors.

Elaborate locks on display in the Palace museum.

After touring the palace we crossed into Lithuania and came to this hotel. The owner is keen to breed up the Lithuanian traditional breed of horses. They were bred for knights to ride and were down to only 44 animals. I might not have got the story quite right, but anyway the owner of the manor rode from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea a distance of 2000 km.to demonstrate their usefulness and endurance.

Finally tonight we have a hand quilted patchwork on our bed.

So I expect to sleep soundly under this quilt.