Gārsene, Gārsene Parish, „Labieši”, Aknīste Municipality, LV-5218, Latvia
+371 26367150
garsenespils@akniste.lv
www.garsenespils.lv
The construction of the neogothic castle by the family Budberg started in 1856 and finished in 1860. The family ruled Gārsene since 1583. The architect of the castle is unknown, but legend has it that the castle is a copy of a villa in the family’s native Germany. The central building – the two storied part of the castle – was finished first. Additions to the building were completed in 1885. The expansion of the castle was ordered by the freshly married couple baron Leonard and his wife Constance Gertrude Worth, who considered the castle too small to their taste. From 1940 until 2015 the local primary school of Gārsene was housed in the castle.
A historic tile-stove made from white glazed tiles with Delft-blue drawings is the only original 19th century monument left in the building. The stove is decorated with tiles made in the Netherlands, each of them uniquely decorated with typical Dutch views – windmills, seasides and other Dutch elements. In 2016 the stove was restored by two senior specialists – Jana Lībiete and Ina Tiltiņa, the project was funded by the State Culture Capital Foundation.
A tourism information center is located in the castle where you can find more information about the castle, Gārsene and more. You are invited to visit the castle individually, in groups or in a guided tour. The castle can also be rented to host your event. During the summer, the castle’s veranda is used as exhibition space. The upper floors host hostel-type rooms where you can be our guest for an overnight stay. Following the stories, exactly during the darkest hour of the night you can feel the presence of the Blue Lady – the ghost of the castle.
www.garsenespils.lv
Architectural complex of the manor developed around the rectangular yard in front of the Neo–Gothical manor–house that was built for von Budbergs house around 1856. By old documentries of this family in its origins was built the two–storied part. The other lower outbuilding was walled in 1885. School was rebuilt after the project of the architect Vasilyev for the needs of elementary school in 1939. Since 1940 old manor–house is used by Gārsene Elementary School. Household buildings are situated around the front yard. The 18th century granary and stables with arcade were built beside the manor–house. Old 18th century Mill with Neo–Gothic facade (made in the 2nd half of the 19th century) is situated on the other side of the paved road. Household part of the complex also includes distillery with the house for workers and the servants' house. There also is a wide landscape park with ponds and decorative bridges.
There is museum in the manor–house, its displays are dedicated to the history of von Budbergs' house.
Services
- Rooms and equipment for camping
- Rooms and equipment for organisation of seminars/conferences/banquets
- Castle catering in cellar (service provide farmstead "Rātes" – tel.: 27872199)