Splendor and misery: Explore noble life in Baltic castles!

Splendor and misery: Explore noble life in Baltic castles!

Unusual insights into the world of the nobility await visitors to the Großsedlitz Baroque Garden. The special exhibition “Noble life in Baltic castles – mansions in Estonia and Latvia” runs until September 21, 2023. Here, those interested can immerse themselves in the magnificent history of the Baltic nobility and explore the magnificent mansions in the former Livonia and Courland. The exhibition is located in the Upper Orangery and uses contemporary documents to illustrate the way of life and everyday life of this upper class, which had influence until the end of the 19th century and significantly shaped the region, reports the Wochenkurier.

But what really sets these mansions apart? A visit to the exhibition offers a look not only at the architecture, but also at the furnishings and development of the Baltic estates. These often included farm buildings, stables and living quarters for servants and serfs. Many of these impressive buildings are still preserved today and some are cultural institutions or hotels, while others are waiting for a meaningful new use.

A piece of history alive

The mansions were built not only by the German upper class, but also by those of Swedish, Polish and Russian origin. Some of the oldest of these buildings come from converted castles of the knights who dominated the Baltics in the Middle Ages. Historicism flourished particularly in the 19th century, which is reflected in most of the surviving buildings. These magnificent mansions and their landscaped gardens surrounded by parks show how the nobility in the Baltics lived and what social structures prevailed, explains Copernico.

The exhibition goes beyond this and also highlights the dramatic changes following the founding of the nation states of Estonia and Latvia after the First World War. This ended the prominent position of the nobility, and many of the historical buildings were neglected or lost their original purpose.

A recommended companion

For anyone who would like to find out more about this exciting era, there is the book “Aristocratic Life in the Baltics. Manor Houses in Estonia and Latvia”. It offers a variety of photographs and historical images and was published as part of the traveling exhibition of the same name. The book has 112 pages, is available as a paperback and costs €9.80.

The exhibition in the Großsedlitz Baroque Garden has a lot to offer, and the opportunity to immerse yourself in the exciting world of the Baltic nobility should not be missed. Whether you're a history buff or just curious, there's something for everyone to discover here, regardless of whether you already know a lot about the region or are just starting to learn about it. Get inspired!

For further information you can visit the weekly courier pages, where the exhibition is described, or the Copernico website read up to delve even deeper into the matter. The Cultural Forum also offers valuable insights with an article about the exhibition view here can.