Hotels in Bauska Municipality – Culture, Landscapes and Museums

Bauska Municipality is home to the Rundāle Palace ensemble, an outstanding monument of Baroque and Rococo architecture and art. Rundāle Palace has a direct public transport connection from Riga, operating from 1 May to 30 September. This combines a particularly notable cultural destination with a seasonal transport service whose operating period can be taken into account when planning your trip.

Culture and History

The Rundāle Palace ensemble covers 85 hectares. It includes the palace and stables, a former hunting park, orchards, a pond and canals, as well as the foundations of an old 16th-century castle. The palace’s French garden covers 10 hectares and features typical Baroque elements such as a parterre, fountains, a Green Theatre, bosquets, pergolas, pavilions and a labyrinth.

Bauska Castle is characterized by the military architecture of Latvia from the 15th to the 17th century. At the same time, it is the only partially preserved residence of the Dukes of Courland and Semigallia from the Kettler dynasty. The “Mežotnes baznīca” cultural space houses an exhibition on the historical events at the Mežotne hillfort. The Rundāle Estate watermill is also part of the area’s historical diversity: it was built at the end of the 18th century and is located in the center of Pilsrundāle.

Landscapes and Trails

A footbridge across the Lielupe connects the Mežotne hillfort with Mežotne Palace; it is located 350 meters from the hillfort. The Mežotne hillfort is one of the largest fortifications of ancient Semigallia, dating from the 9th to the 13th century. At the hillfort, the “Spožās skudras” trail offers various activities and information about the distinctive species found there.

From the tower of the “Mežotnes baznīca” cultural space, visitors can view the Zemgale Plain, the Lielupe and the Mežotne hillfort. Bauska Castle has fortress ruins, a viewing platform and a nature trail. The trail along the steep bank of the Mēmele near Bauska Castle offers views of the Mēmele Valley landscape; the river bend has a microclimate that is attractive to representatives of the local animal and plant life.

Museums and Traditions

The Bauska Museum has a collection of more than 61,000 historical objects. These include antiquities, photographs, documents, books, furniture, work tools and household items. The museum offers guided tours in the museum or around the city, as well as museum education programs for children. The offerings also include the “Laiks spēlēties” doll and toy exhibition, covering the period from the late 19th century to the early 21st century.

The Bauska Motor Museum displays collections of passenger cars and heavy vehicles, military equipment, and experimental vehicles from the Riga Autobus Factory RAF. It also offers technical and creative workshops such as “Atlecošā bumbiņa” and “Vēja enerģija”. The Ausekļu Dzirnavas Open-Air Museum features a Latvian farmstead with a collection of historic work tools and exhibitions.

The Ausekļu Dzirnavas Open-Air Museum traditionally hosts the spring festival “Sējas svētki” on the second Saturday in May and the autumn festival “Pļaujas svētki” on the first Saturday in September. Visitors can experience and take part in seasonal activities. The dates give the festivals a clear place in the annual cycle, while the museum also preserves agricultural equipment and exhibitions.

Water and Regional Activities

At the Rundāle watermill, visitors can see the beer-making process and take part in tastings. The Ausekļu Dzirnavas Open-Air Museum offers pancake tastings as well as opportunities to bake Pīrāgi or bread.

Boat tours are offered on the Mēmele, Mūsa and Lielupe rivers in Bauska Municipality. Printable thematic route guides are also available for Bauska Municipality, with information on attractions, dining, accommodation and active recreation opportunities. In addition to the individual cultural sites, these materials bring together information on various regional themes.

More entries in Bauska Municipality: Pāce, Code, Likverteni, Ceraukste, Grenctāle, Mežotne, Jauncode, Bauska.

To the higher-level travel overview: Latvia.