Mežotne Palace

Mežotnes pils

An elegant neoclassical manor set in a landscaped English park along the Lielupe River. The restored interiors and quiet grounds offer a calmer counterpoint to nearby Rundāle.

Things to do

• Tour the restored interiors — Walk through the elegantly reconstructed Cupola Hall and period rooms that showcase the palace's neoclassical design by architect Giacomo Quarenghi.
• Stroll the English landscape park — Wander the sprawling grounds laid out in the free-flowing English style, with mature trees, open lawns, and pathways leading toward the river.
• Walk along the Lielupe River — Follow the riverbank at the edge of the park for quiet views of the water and the palace framed by greenery.
• Climb Mežotne hillfort — Visit the ancient Semigallian hillfort nearby, an earthwork mound that was once a major settlement above the Lielupe.
• Stay overnight in the hotel — Book a room in the palace, now run as a boutique hotel, to experience the manor atmosphere after day visitors leave.
• Combine with Rundāle Palace — Pair the visit with the grander Rundāle Palace and its baroque gardens, only about a 15-minute drive away.

Food to try

• Manor-style restaurant dining — Eat in the palace's own restaurant, which serves Latvian and European dishes in refined period surroundings.
• Grey peas with bacon — Try Latvia's national dish of grey peas simmered with onions and smoked bacon, a hearty Zemgale staple.
• Rye bread and sklandrausis — Sample dense Latvian rye bread and the sweet rye-crust tart filled with potato and carrot, a traditional pastry.
• Fresh river and forest fare — Look for seasonal dishes using local fish, berries, mushrooms, and game reflecting the surrounding Zemgale countryside.
• Kvass — Drink the traditional lightly fermented rye-bread beverage served cold in summer.

Local customs & good to know

• Book interior tours ahead — Since the palace functions as a hotel, check opening hours and arrange museum room visits in advance to avoid closed sections.
• Honor the Quarenghi connection — The palace was designed by the Italian architect who worked in imperial St. Petersburg, so the interiors reflect Russian-Italian neoclassicism rather than local rustic style.
• Bring cash and respect quiet — Smaller sites may prefer cash, and the grounds are valued for their calm, so keep noise low as a courtesy to overnight guests.
• Visit in warmer months — The park and river walks are best from late spring to early autumn when the gardens are in bloom and paths are dry.

Nearby

• Rundāle Palace (Kurzeme) — 6 km
• Bauska — 10 km
• Jelgava — 38 km
• Tērvete Nature Park — 43 km