Explore Castles and Manor Houses in Preiļi Municipality
Exploring castles and manor houses is like travelling through several centuries – it offers an opportunity to discover cultural heritage, relive historical stories, and uncover the diversity of architecture, landscapes, and art. Preiļi Municipality stands out in this respect, as within its relatively small territory there is a remarkable concentration of castles and manor houses, each with its own destiny, character, and atmosphere.
Some of these places have preserved their representative architecture and parks, while others reveal themselves through creative initiatives, cultural events, or contemporary uses. Together, they form a multilayered story of the municipality’s history and development.
Preiļi Castle
At the end of last year, the restored Preiļi Castle opened its doors to visitors. Over nine years, the local municipality has succeeded in revitalising this state-protected architectural monument – an emergency-condition neo-Gothic gem. Preiļi Castle is one of the most magnificent and vibrant historical buildings in Latgale, where the past organically intertwines with contemporary cultural and leisure experiences.
Visitors can explore the castle accompanied by a guide – the Count Borch himself – discovering its history through stories, personalities, and legends that lend the visit a distinctive atmosphere. The castle also features a 5D video exhibition dedicated to Latgale’s craftsmen, offering a modern, sensory-based introduction to regional skills, creativity, and traditions – an experience that undoubtedly appeals to both adults and children.
A special treat is the castle restaurant “viAmor”, which opened symbolically on 14 February, adding yet another romantic dimension to the castle. Preiļi Castle is an active centre for culture and creativity, hosting concerts, exhibitions, creative events, and celebrations. Its spaces are suitable for weddings, birthdays, and other significant life moments, as well as for simple leisure in a magnificent building rich in history. Preiļi Castle invites visitors not only to see, but to experience – unhurriedly, with feeling and respect for a place whose story continues today.
Ārdava Manor
Ārdava Manor (historically also known as Jezufinova Manor) is one of the most significant architectural monuments in Preiļi Municipality, embodying the depth and historical layering of Latgale’s manor culture. It is an example of how a historic building can gain new life thanks to people who choose to return, take action, and build the future while respecting the past.
The manor is currently managed by Maija and Jamie, who have re-emigrated from Ireland. Their conscious decision to return to Latvia and invest their efforts in preserving cultural and historical heritage gives this place a particularly human story. Ārdava Manor is gradually being revitalised as an open, welcoming, and publicly accessible space where history meets contemporary initiative.
At the end of 2025, the architectural and artistic inventory of the manor house was completed – an important step in preserving this cultural monument and planning its restoration. For several years now, the manor has also actively participated in the Home Café Days, which attract record numbers of visitors year after year. During these events, the manor becomes a lively meeting place where visitors can enjoy not only food, but also the manor’s environment, the hosts’ story, and the unique atmosphere of the place.
Apple Manor & Garden Complex (Silajāņi Manor)
Silajāņi Manor (historically known as Solujeny) was founded in 1860, and its history vividly reflects the development of Latgale’s manor culture across several generations. Today, the Apple Manor & Garden complex brings together two buildings – the charming historic manor and an elegant stone building – creating a harmonious dialogue between past and present.
Silajāņi Manor stands out among other castles and manor houses in Preiļi Municipality for its particularly luxurious interior, dominated by gilded tones, refined details, and decorative richness. This splendour lends the spaces a festive atmosphere and creates the feeling of stepping into a world where elegance and aesthetics are an integral part of the experience.
With careful attention to every architectural detail and the surrounding environment, the manor’s owners have created a harmonious retreat that blends organically with the natural beauty of Latgale. The well-maintained five-hectare estate offers diverse leisure opportunities, from peaceful relaxation to large-scale events. Visitors can enjoy the apple garden, where hammocks between the branches invite unhurried rest, as well as a picnic area suitable for events of up to 5,000 people. Active leisure enthusiasts can make use of sports fields, a forest trail, a traditional Latgalian black sauna, and a swimming area by Lake Feimaņi.
Silajāņi Manor also offers extensive accommodation options – 25 spacious rooms accommodating up to 60 guests, or up to 200 with additional beds. It is a place where history, luxury, and nature meet in a single experience, inviting visitors not just to see, but to feel the charm of Latgale in a nature-inspired luxury setting– unhurried, celebratory, and lasting.
Arendole Manor
Arendole Manor is one of the most architecturally outstanding and authentically preserved manor houses in Latgale, located in a picturesque bend of the Dubna River and surrounded by a centuries-old park. The manor has survived to this day without significant alterations, distinguished by its elegance, uniqueness, and period-specific architectural details.
Saved from abandonment and gradual decay by its owners, Faimja and Arvīds, the manor complex has been steadily restored since 2001 with great perseverance, patience, and respect for cultural heritage. The restoration work is carried out thoughtfully and carefully – the historic layout and interior have been restored, authentic details preserved, and the spaces brought back to life, allowing the manor to regain its historical breath.
Today, visitors can explore the restored rooms, exhibitions on the manor’s history, one of the largest collections of antique objects in Latgale, and learn about significant events of 20th-century history in the region. The manor also offers a venue for celebrating important personal occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and more. Arendole Manor is a vivid example of how human dedication and belief in the value of a place can preserve and revitalise historical heritage, making it accessible and meaningful in the present day.
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