Zemīte Manor (Latvian: Zemītes muižas pils) is a manor house in Zemīte, Zemīte Parish, Kandava Municipality, in the historical region of Zemgale, in Latvia. Damaged by fire both in 1905 and 1931, the structure was repaired each time. It currently houses the Zemīte primary school.
History
Zemīte Manor (or Knight's Manor) was known since 1437 as an estate of Štekmest and later on of von Butlar. The Butlar family owned estate until 1673, after which the owners were von Lebel, von Mirbach, von Plettenberg and von Berrie. From 1790 to 1920 manor belonged to von Firks family. The manor house was built in the Biedermeier era of spectacular construction forms around 1850. At the same time the park around it was also created. Later in the 19th century, a square tower of Neo-Renaissance style, whose sole function was to confirm the owner of the building, was additionally built. Manor house was burned in 1905 and shortly thereafter restored. Then it was burned again in 1931 and once again restored. Consequently, the original interior decoration of the building has not survived. In 1937, in the old granary of the manor, was in the Guard House. In 1943 several manor houses were burnt down. In 1945, the Zemīte Manor established a Car and Horse Leasing Point, and an executive committee of the Zemīte Parish Workers' Deputies Council had it headquarter. In the former Guard House was established the Machine and Tractor Station. In 1951 the station was liquidated and handed over to Kandava RTU, and in 1962 a new company was established on the basis of it – the Tukuma Lauktehnikas branch. During the Soviet era, the palace housed a cafeteria and apartments. The idea at that time was to build a museum in the castle tower.
Modern era
The former mansion is now municipal property. In 2000, the Kandava Regional Council invested in its reconstruction and since then Zemīte Elementary School is in the palace. On September 1, 2000, with the participation of President Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the school moved to these beautiful premises. On September 22, 2018, Zemīte School celebrated its 170th birthday.
Local legends
It is said that at midnight in Zemīte Manor one can meet the Blue Lady. In Zemīte Manor Park the face of the Park Guard is carved on the linden tree trunk and the Lover's chair as well.
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The first known owner of the Zemīte manor estate was “Tall Klauss”, who in the first part of the 15th century was mentioned as the heir to the fiefdom of Zemīte. It is believed that the present-day manor or the masters’ quarters were built around 1850, when a park was also set up around it. The neorenaissance style tower was, most likely, built as an extension tot the already existing building.
The manor’s masters’ quarters were burnt down in 1905 and restored only during the 1930-ties. Despite fire damage, the original scope of the manor building has been fundamentally preserved. In the old granary building of the manor estate, the Defenders’ House was set up in 1937. In 1943, several auxiliary buildings of the manor estate burned down in a fire. In 1945, a Machinery and Horse Hire Centre was set up in the Zemīte manor, while the former Defenders’ House premises hosted the Executive Committee of the Council of Zemīte Municipality Deputies of Working People. In 1949, a Machinery and Tractor Station (MTS) was set up. In 1951, the station was closed down and handed over to the Kandava RTU, whereas in 1962, a new company was formed on its basis – the branch of “Tukuma lauktehnika”. During the Soviet era, the manor hosted a canteen and apartments. It was planned to set up a museum in the tower building.
Today, the former masters’ quarters are the property of the municipality. In 2000, the Kandava Municipal Council invested funds in its reconstruction, and since that time, the manor has become the home of the Zemīte Elementary School.
It is said that the Blue Lady can be seen roaming the Zemīte manor at midnight. At the Zemīte manor park, you can spot the Guard’s face on the trunk of a lime tree, and also visit the Lovers’ Bench.
Contact information
Zemīte School, Zemīte, Zemīte parish, Kandava region
(+371) 63155356, 26527265
zemitespsk@kopideja.lv
www.visittukums.lv