Siguldas Jaunā pils
The Kropotkins’ summer residence and later the Writers’ Palace, with a National Romanticism interior, an exhibition and a viewing tower.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Siguldas Jaunā pils was built from 1878 to 1881 as the summer residence of Prince Dmitrijs Kropotkins and his wife Olga. During the First World War, in 1917, the palace was looted, and after the 1922 agrarian reform it was handed over to the Latviešu rakstnieku un žurnālistu arodbiedrība (Latvian Writers’ and Journalists’ Trade Union), which set up a pension and recreation complex. In the 1920s–1940s the palace became known as the Rakstnieku pils (Writers’ Palace), where Kārlis Skalbe, Aleksandrs Čaks, Jānis Akuraters and Rainis were guests.
In 1937 the palace was rebuilt to a design by the architect Alfrēds Birkhans, and its interior with National Romanticism elements was considered the most splendid Writers’ Palace in Europe. During the Soviet period the palace was a rest home and sanatorium, and from 2003 it housed the Sigulda municipal administration. From 2017 to 2021 the palace was restored, and an exhibition on the history of the palace was set up.
Highlights
- National Romanticism interior of 1937
- Exhibition on the history of the palace and Sigulda
- Viewing tower and basement
- Writers’ Palace – guests included Skalbe, Čaks, Akuraters and Rainis
Permanent exhibition
- Ekspozīcija par Siguldas Jaunās pils vēsturi – After the restoration, an exhibition on the history of the palace and Sigulda, with virtual and audio information.
- Founded
- 2021
- Operated by
- Siguldas novada pašvaldība
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €3.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3pupils, students and pensioners. |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 7 · Free admission for children up to 7 years. |
| Families | €7.502 adults and 2 or more children up to 15 years. |
| With the Siguldietis ID card | €2 |
| Family ticket with the Siguldietis ID card | €4.50 |
| Combined ticket for adults (Jaunā pils and Livonijas ordeņa pils) | €4.50 |
| Combined ticket for pupils, students and pensioners (Jaunā pils and Livonijas ordeņa pils) | €3.50 |
Free admission for orphans, persons with disability groups 1 and 2, children up to 7 years and employees of Latvian museums; journalists upon presentation of ID, as well as children from the pre-school educational institutions of Sigulda municipality with accompanying staff.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 7 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €7.50 · 2 adults and 2 or more children up to 15 years. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
Interactive educational games are available in the exhibition; there is a family ticket.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The palace rooms can be rented for cultural and educational events; weddings can also be held in the palace.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Good to know | Visitors can see the National Romanticism interior, the basement and the tower, as well as exhibitions with virtual and audio information and interactive educational games. |
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