Courtiers of his Excellency the Duke of Courland will be at your service, if you apply your visit to Rundale Palace in advance!
They will throw a party in your honour according to the traditions of the 18th century!
First of all the Master of the court ceremonies and Lady of Duchess’ court will greet you on the State Staircase and will invite you to the Palace. If you arrive on hour? The palace clock will surprise with magical sequence of music.
Once you are ready to start, courtiers will accompany you to the Gold Hall where a symbolic reception will be held. And don’t forget to prepare the greeting speech.
After the reception you will be invited to the White Hall. As it is the Dancing Hall music has always sounded here. The courtiers will recapture the ambiance of the party by performing gentle rising and falling movements of Minuet. It was the most fashionable dance in the18th century ballrooms.
To discover the intriguing story of Duke Ernst Johan Biron and Russian Empress Anna Ioanovna you will be invited to visit the Dukes’ former apartments.
In the very centre of the enfilade you will find yourself in the State bedroom of the Duke, where courtiers will explain habitual rituals called ‘du lever‘ and ‘du coucher’ of French court.
While walking through elaborately furnished and luxurious rococo style salons you will discover the true art of living.
The hosts will share the most sacred secrets of witty and playful, sensitive and sophisticated court life in 18th century.
Meanwhile in the Duchess’ apartments you will learn the manners of the period even the charming way in which fans were used to send subtle and coquettish messages of romance.
French Formal garden that extends south of the Palace will fascinate you with its perfectly cut bushes and green ornaments, and no one can resist the delightful aroma and never-ending colour nuances of over 12 000 roses.
The view from the southern staircase onto the four ornamental parterres and the fountain in the centre reinforces the feeling that you are in the most famous palace of Le Roi du Soleil.
… and many other surprises will be prepared for you, but those won’t be surprises any more if we tell now everything, therefore the only way to find out more is to experience it yourself!
We would be honoured by your presence at our improvised and playful rococo style party to celebrate the revival of history!