Rundale Palace
Рундальский дворец
Rundāle Castle (also: Ruhenthal Castle, Ruhental Castle and Ruhendahl Castle, Latvian Rundāles pils) is a Baroque chateau in the Latvian region of Semgallen, located in the Latvian region of Zemgale since 1920, 10 kilometers west of the town of Bauska. It is often referred to as the Versailles of the Baltics.
The construction of the castle was initiated by the Russian Czarina Anna Ivanovna and was supposed to be the summer residence of the Duke of Curia Ernst Johann Birondienen. The design was commissioned by the Russian-Italian architect and master builder at the Tsar's Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli, who had already prepared the plans for the Winter Palace of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. The foundation stone was laid in 1735, the construction work lasted until 1740. The castle park was also created according to Rastrelli's specifications in the French style and planted with 328.185 lime trees.