Gulbenes novada vēstures un mākslas muzejs

About the museum

The Gulbenes vēstures un mākslas muzejs (Gulbene History and Art Museum) began work on 1 January 1982, but its origins go back to the 1960s, when a local history room operated at the district council. From 1978 a branch of the Alūksne Museum operated in Gulbene, and after the museum became independent it changed several homes. Since 2001 the museum has been in the Orangery of the Vecgulbene manor.

The Orangery was built in the mid-19th century as a single-storey winter garden building with tower-like extensions, but in the 1920s it was rebuilt for the needs of the justice of the peace. After energy-efficiency improvements and restoration, the museum returned to the renovated building in summer 2026. The manor granary, Klēts, built in the second half of the 19th century as a grain store, has served as the museum’s open depository since 1982.

The museum also looks after the Sarkanā jeb Mazā pils (Red or Small Palace), built in the second half of the 19th century with Gothic elements, and the manor park with the sculpture “Amors” (Cupid). Since 1 June 2025 the museum has also owned the Druvienas vecā skola (Old School of Druviena). The museum organises exhibitions, educational sessions and events and offers the audio guide “Parka stāsti” (Park Stories).

Highlights

• The restored Orangery of the Vecgulbene manor with exhibitions
• The exhibition “Tautsaimniecība” (Economy) in the manor granary, with more than 1,300 objects
• The chance to grind flour with a hand mill and spin linen thread in the granary
• The Red Palace and the Vecgulbene manor park
• Audio guide “Parka stāsti” (Park Stories) about the manor owners, the von Wolff family

Permanent exhibition

• Ekspozīcija „Tautsaimniecība“ Klētī – The exhibition tells of farming in Gulbene municipality; visitors can see more than 1,300 objects from the collection.

Founded

1982

Admission & discounts

Orangery ticket: adults €4; pupils, students and pensioners €2. Children with special needs, their accompanying teachers and other exempt categories enter free on presentation of a document. A museum education session costs €5 (€3 for pupils, students and pensioners).

Accessibility

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Family ticket; in the Klēts flour can be ground with a hand mill and linen thread spun; museum education sessions are offered.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on the grounds of the Vecgulbene manor in Gulbene; the Klēts is nearby, at 4 Klēts Street.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit