Standing tall on the steep banks of the River Venta is current home of the lords of Skrunda Manor, which was built in 1849, in accordance with Johann Berlitz’s design for Mežotne Palace – a symmetrical, proportional, harmonious and overall simple building with facade columns, large six pane windows on the ground floor and small four pane windows on the upper floors.
Over the course of history, Skrunda Manor has served as a hospital and a pharmacy, subsequent to which the manor building was home to a school and later boarding school for over 60 years. As a result of reconstruction, the building has lost its initial plan as well as its external classical visual image.
In 1998, the manor was in a dangerous state after its roof collapsed. In 2005, Skrunda Council decided to sell the manor at action and in 2006 it was bought by new owners. From this moment onwards, the rebirth of Skrunda Manor began. Out of respect for its venerable heritage, the manor underwent major reconstruction, restoring the building’s ancient charm in combination with contemporary amenities.
The manor’s reconstruction project provided for the restoration of the building and dismantling, adapting it to the function of a hotel, replacing the building’s inter-floor surfaces and roof structures, but retaining the outer walls. The building’s historically valuable elements, whose technical condition had been deemed to be satisfactory were dismantled, numbered and, after restoration, restored to their previous positions.
The composition of the manor’s facades was preserved, providing for the replacement of elements lost over the years including the division of four pane windows on the second floor, cross-framed ark-type windows and other elements. Newer roof structures were renovated and augmented with new structures, in conformity with the facade composition, in order to ensure the necessary insulation for the 2nd floor.
The manor’s complex is comprised of the manor building itself, which contains a four star hotel with 12 luxurious rooms, a restaurant, central celebration hall and a conference hall. The manor’s SPA is a great place to relax after a long week at work. Another five hotel rooms are in the SPA building.
The manor is located in a landscaped park, inviting guests to take a walk and enjoy the beautiful and well-tended environment, as well as to admire the mighty oaks which are over 100 years old.
