Kraslava Palace
Latgale Region
Kraslava Palace, also known as Plater Palace, is an 18th-century manor house located in the Latgale region of eastern Latvia. Originally built around 1750 by Konstantīns Ludvigs Plāters near the ruins of the Kraslava Order Castle, the palace was completed in 1791 by his son Augusts Hiacints Plāters. The Baroque-style building underwent a classicist renovation in 1824, and the estate includes several auxiliary buildings like the manager's and gardener's houses, stables, an orangery, and a 22-hectare landscaped park overlooking the Daugava valley. The palace was owned by the noble Plater family for over two centuries. After suffering looting and damage during the revolutionary period of 1917-1919, the palace was nationalized and repurposed as a school. In recent decades, restoration efforts have uncovered original wall paintings and revitalized the historic park, with parts of the palace now housing the Kraslava History and Art Museum and a craft center. The palace complex offers visitors a rich historical experience combining architecture, art, and nature in a scenic riverside setting.
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Tip: The best time to visit Kraslava Palace is during late spring to early autumn when the Baroque park is in full bloom and walking paths are accessible. It is advisable to check opening hours in advance and consider guided tours to fully appreciate the palace's history and architecture. Tickets can often be purchased on-site, but visitors may benefit from checking for any available discounts or combined tickets with other Kraslava attractions. The nearby craft center hosts events and workshops, offering a unique cultural experience.
Interesting facts
- •The palace was built near the ruins of a 13th-century Livonian Order castle, linking it to medieval history.
- •Original wall paintings dating back to the palace's early period were discovered during restoration in 1984.
- •The surrounding 22-hectare park was restored based on its 1824 classicist design, featuring terraces and a pond.
- •After nationalization, the palace served as a gymnasium and later a vocational school, integrating education into its history.
- •The craft center in the former stables hosts cultural events and workshops, keeping local artisan traditions alive.
History
The Kraslava estate was acquired by the Plater family in 1729, marking the start of their two-century ownership.
Construction of the current Baroque palace began around 1750, near the ruins of a medieval Livonian Order castle.
The palace was completed in 1791 and remodeled in 1824 in the classicist style.
Following the upheavals of the 1917-1919 revolutionary period, the palace was looted and damaged.
It was nationalized in 1923 and converted into a school.
Restoration efforts in the late 20th and early 21st centuries have preserved the palace and its park, which now serve cultural and educational purposes.
Place Guide
Main Palace Building1791
The two-story Baroque manor house features a mansard roof and was completed in 1791. It showcases architectural elements possibly designed by Jan Valentijs Didreištēns or in collaboration with architect Antonio Paracca. Inside, visitors can see restored wall paintings and period details reflecting the noble Plater family's heritage.
Landscape Park18th century (restored 2011)
A 22-hectare Baroque-style park on the slopes of the Daugava valley featuring ponds, terraces, and walking paths. The park was restored in 2011 to reflect its historic 1824 design, including the cleaning of ponds and reconstruction of staircases at their original locations.
Auxiliary Estate Buildings18th-19th century
The manor complex includes the manager's and gardener's houses, stables, orangery, ice cellars, and carriage houses. The former stables have been renovated to house the 'Crafts House', a cultural venue for workshops and events celebrating local artisan traditions.
Contact
Phone: 65 623 586
