Dikli Manor

Kocēni, Latvia

Dikļi Manor was the property of von Wolf family in the 19th century. Dikli Palace was built for Baron P. von Wolf in 1896. Covering forms of the central facade are repeating type-lines of mansard roofs' side risalites. That kind of treatment of German Beo-Broque style is not a copy of abroad masterpieces, but unique creation using international language of style and adapting it to the local culture enviroment. Mansard was rebuilt in continous years, so a bit of Baroque charm was wasted.

The buildings of the Dikļi castle are organically complemented by a park spanning 20 hectares. Adjacent to the palace lies a duck pond, which is said to have had a floor made of oak. Mazbriede River begins just beyond the pond, whose ravines contain a landscape garden, also known as the Forest Park. In the 1960s, after surveying Dikļi castle park, it was found that approximately 20 exotic trees grow on its grounds.

Dikļi castle is one of the few palaces and landed estates in Vidzemes where much of the original interior décor has been relatively well-preserved. The palace contains a collection of luxurious old stoves and fireplaces. Dikļi castle was restored in 2003. At the moment, the palace houses a hotel, a restaurant, a spa, a recreational facility with saunas, whirlpool bathtubs and a pool, and it provides a venue for various functions.

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Address

Dikļi, Kocēni, Latvia
See all sites in Kocēni

Details

Founded: 1896
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Latvia
Historical period: Part of the Russian Empire (Latvia)

More Information

www.diklupils.lv
en.wikipedia.org
www.latvia.travel
www.pilis.lv

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Sigulda Castle Ruins (50,3 km)
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Cesis Castle (33,2 km)
Turaida Castle (48,6 km)
St. John's Church (33,3 km)
St. Simon's Lutheran Church (20,4 km)
Krimulda Castle Ruins (50,2 km)
Birini Palace (47,4 km)
Lielstraupe Castle (29,4 km)

User Reviews

Marko Ponder (3 years ago)
Super place, fantastic! Food is also excellent!
Carlos Guerlloy (3 years ago)
Wonderful, peaceful place Friendly staff. It worths the little higher prices.
Friedhelm Schwender (3 years ago)
Nice old Hotel in a marbeleous nature area
Rimantas SV (3 years ago)
Nice place with lot of authentic details and wifi :) Food was superb, time spend very well.
Anna Grohoļska (3 years ago)
I am giving 4 stars only because of the restaurant,really. 3 stars for hotel. Room: 2/5 stars Although we stayed here in off season (winter) the Princess room costs a fortune for what it is! And it is just outdated room with antique furniture. Ceilings are cracking, bathroom has either too hot or too cold water, uncomfortable old bed, noises from the water pipes... the list goes on. Even in 3 star hotels I have seen better. And interior is gloomy and dark, not my cup of tea. Dissapointment. Breakfast in bed: 3 /5 stars SPA: 2/5 stars (although they will be having a steam sauna and other updates, so that might raise the overall spa level) Restaurant: 4/5 stars In my opinion, restaurant is the best reason to visit Dikļi! A gem amongst restaurants around this area. Menu is local as it can get, interesting flavor combinations. Been here twice in autumn/winter and definitely planning to visit again in summer, when the restaurant is located in another room with a terrace.
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Construction was started in 1499 by the Danish knight Jens Holgersen Ulfstand and stone-cutter-mason and architect Adam van Düren, a North German master who also worked on Lund Cathedral. Construction was completed in 1506.

Ulfstand was a councillor, nobleman and admiral serving under John I of Denmark and many objects have been uncovered during archeological excavations that demonstrate the extravagant lifestyle of the knight's family at Glimmingehus up until Ulfstand's death in 1523. Some of the most expensive objects for sale in Europe during this period, such as Venetian glass, painted glass from the Rhine district and Spanish ceramics have been found here. Evidence of the family's wealth can also be seen inside the stone fortress, where everyday comforts for the knight's family included hot air channels in the walls and bench seats in the window recesses. Although considered comfortable for its period, it has also been argued that Glimmingehus was an expression of "Knighthood nostalgia" and not considered opulent or progressive enough even to the knight's contemporaries and especially not to later generations of the Scanian nobility. Glimmingehus is thought to have served as a residential castle for only a few generations before being transformed into a storage facility for grain.

An order from Charles XI to the administrators of the Swedish dominion of Scania in 1676 to demolish the castle, in order to ensure that it would not fall into the hands of the Danish king during the Scanian War, could not be executed. A first attempt, in which 20 Scanian farmers were ordered to assist, proved unsuccessful. An additional force of 130 men were sent to Glimmingehus to execute the order in a second attempt. However, before they could carry out the order, a Danish-Dutch naval division arrived in Ystad, and the Swedes had to abandon the demolition attempts. Throughout the 18th century the castle was used as deposit for agricultural produce and in 1924 it was donated to the Swedish state. Today it is administered by the Swedish National Heritage Board.

On site there is a museum, medieval kitchen, shop and restaurant and coffee house. During summer time there are several guided tours daily. In local folklore, the castle is described as haunted by multiple ghosts and the tradition of storytelling inspired by the castle is continued in the summer events at the castle called "Strange stories and terrifying tales".

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