Valmiermuiža

Valmiermuiža’s noble origins are connected to Valmiera Castle, near which a tavern was established at the start of the 17th century to sell the nobility’s beer. Continuing this ancient tradition, a proper Latvian beer is currently brewed at the “Valmiermuižas alus” brewery.

In the mid-18th century, the Russian crown presented Valmiera Manor to Prince Peter August Friedrich (in photo) of the province of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Beck in Germany. Here he established a Baroque-style hunting lodge with a lavish park and deer garden as a summer residence, in order to find joy through idyllic leisure and to show it off to his noble guests.

Once upon a time, Valmiermuiža was located at the side of a postal road that carried esteemed members of the aristocracy from Western Europe to Petersburg, which explains why a number of European monarchs have visited here – Polish Zigismund, Swedish King Charles XII, Prussian Queen Louise, Russian Empress Catherine the Great, as well as other aristocratic guests.

During the long and winding road of history, Valmiermuiža has experienced numerous misfortunes and has been severely damaged, despite which, right through to the present day, the unique neo-baroque style castle tower has survived, whose fine and colourful painting on the walls and ceiling testify to the noble taste with which leisure time is spent here.

In the 21st century, Valmiermuiža is experiencing a renaissance – a new brewery has been built, where its famed beer is brewed, and the barn has been renovated, whose hospitality is attracting new guests, prompting the increasingly active regeneration of the grounds surrounding the castle.