A Quaint Alley in the Baltic with Cobblestone Pavement

Feeling Awesome as One Steps into a Palace in the Baltic

Walking Down the Cobble Stone Pavement in the Baltic

WPC: Window of the World – Lovely Window at the Baltic

St John’s Church Bell Tower at Vilinus

Travelling in the Baltic, one sees that many churches have separate bell towers.

Some of the towers are quite tall too.

The St John’s bell tower at Vilinus was built in the 16th century.

I am sure in those days, these were one of the tallest structure in the area.

This is beautiful architecture and engineering challenge at the time.

Rundale Palace in Latvia (7)

 

In fact, I was most impressed by what I have seen inside the palace – the paintings and the furniture.

It features how the royal family has lived.

Here are a couple of photos showing the rooms within the palace.

This is how the Palace is introduced in Wikipedia:

Rundāle Palace , formerly also Ruhenthal and Ruhendahl is one of the two major baroque palaces built for the Dukes of Courland  in what is now Latvia, the other being Jelgava Palace. The palace was built in two periods, from 1736 until 1740 and from 1764 until 1768. It is situated at Pilsrundāle, 12 km west of Bauska.

Rudale Palace in Latvia (6)

 

I was wondering whether these two pictures are more suited to this week’s DP Photo Challenge on the theme of Pure.

As I entered into the palace, some of the figures on the ceiling attracted my attention.

They all show babies in their pure form.

I am not sure of the stories behind these figures, maybe, some of the readers can advise.

As a matter of fact, these pictures were quite difficult to be taken as the whole thing was in off white color.

This is how the Palace is introduced in Wikipedia:

Rundāle Palace , formerly also Ruhenthal and Ruhendahl is one of the two major baroque palaces built for the Dukes of Courland  in what is now Latvia, the other being Jelgava Palace. The palace was built in two periods, from 1736 until 1740 and from 1764 until 1768. It is situated at Pilsrundāle, 12 km west of Bauska.

Rundale Palace in Latvia (5)

Once you stepped inside the palace, you feel the grandness of the place.

I particularly like the chandeliers in the palace.

Both pictures focused on the chandeliers, but the ceilings in the background is just like some of the most beautiful ceilings of palaces in Europe.

The ceiling on the second picture is less colorful but still interesting. 

This is how the Palace is introduced in Wikipedia:

Rundāle Palace , formerly also Ruhenthal and Ruhendahl is one of the two major baroque palaces built for the Dukes of Courland  in what is now Latvia, the other being Jelgava Palace. The palace was built in two periods, from 1736 until 1740 and from 1764 until 1768. It is situated at Pilsrundāle, 12 km west of Bauska.

Rundale Palace in Latvia (2)

This is how the Palace is introduced in Wikipedia:

Rundāle Palace , formerly also Ruhenthal and Ruhendahl is one of the two major baroque palaces built for the Dukes of Courland  in what is now Latvia, the other being Jelgava Palace. The palace was built in two periods, from 1736 until 1740 and from 1764 until 1768. It is situated at Pilsrundāle, 12 km west of Bauska.

The entrance was surprising grand.

There were a couple of lions perching on the stone columns that form part of the grand entrance.

The entrance looks majestic and photogenic.

To start this series, here are a couple of photos taken at the gate.

Will show more photos of the interior in due course.

Rundale palace (1)

This is a view through the palace window.

You don’t see it when you are down at the palace garden as you are on the same level.

You can only appreciate the beauty of the overall garden from a higher altitude.

It looks like the Versailles garden, doesn’t it?

While appreciating the treasures inside the palace, I found one window which was opened to this great view.

Please enjoy 🙂