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VISIT TO RUNDALE PALACE
16.10.2018

Responsible: T. Moisejeva, O. Gubkina, L. Renge

Partisipants: Sofija Maceika, Ņikita Gromov, Kristina Maceika

Guests: project participants from Poland, Italy, Turkey, Romania

Transportation: Riga 95 secondary school

HISTORY OF THE PALACE

The name of undāle comes from the German place-name Ruhenthal (Valley of Peace).
The undāle Palace built during the 16th century was located on the northern side of the pond. It
can be seen in the design of F. B. Rastrelli as a small square field with towers in the corners.

undāle Manor was already created at the end of the 15th century. It belonged to the Grotthus
family from 1505 to 1681 and the palace was mentioned in the list of Livonian castles in 1555.
Facade finishing components have been found in the territory of the palace – cast fragments and
fragments of coats of arms carved in stone dating to the middle of the 17th century. In 1735 Ernst
Johann von Biron bought the undāle property for 42 000 thalers.
The old palace was completely torn down, and the stones, bricks and even the mortar were used in
the construction of the new palace.
Duke Ernst Johann died in 1772, and the palace was inherited by his widow Duchess Benigna
Gottlieb; during her time orchards were formed around the palace. Duke Peter did not come to

undāle often, he mostly resided in the smaller Vircava Palace near Jelgava.
In 1795 Duke Peter gave up his throne and the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia was added to the

ussian Empire. Catherine II gave undāle Manor as a present to Count Valerian Zubov who died
in 1804. During the distribution of inheritance undāle became the property of his brother Prince
Platon Zubov, the last favourite of Catherine II.