Bauska Castle Museum is a cultural institution of the Bauska Municipality, established on February 1, 1990, by reorganizing the Bauska Local History and Art Museum. Since 2010, the museum has been a state-accredited institution.
Mission of the Museum
The mission of the museum is to study Bauska Castle as a cultural monument of national significance within the historical context of the Bauska region, the Livonian Order State, and the Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, by collecting and exhibiting historical material, conducting on-site research of the monument, creating exhibitions appropriate to the history and architecture of the castle, ensuring the acquisition, preservation, and restoration of the collection, as well as carrying out organizational and economic activities related to the restoration of the castle complex and its integration into cultural life.
Main Functions:
- Restoration: organization and supervision of the design, construction, and repair works of Bauska Castle restoration.
- Cection Management: development of a collection in accordance with the mission, its documentation, and sustainable preservation.
- Research: study of the castle and its historical context (from the 15th century to 1796) on a Latvian and European scale.
- Exhibition Activities: installation of permanent exhibitions and thematic displays appropriate to the historical environment.
- Educational Work: public education through excursions, lectures, museum pedagogy programs, and consultations.
- Publicity: preparation of scientific publications and informational materials about the history of the castle and the museum’s collections.
- Promotion of Culture: ensuring the accessibility of professional art and music within the castle environment.
Scientific Resources and Information
The museum offers a repository of scientific literature specializing in medieval and Renaissance history, art, and restoration. The collection of research materials includes unpublished studies on Bauska Castle and related topics.
The following catalogues are available for researchers:
- catalogues of the main and auxiliary collections;
- bibliographic catalogue;
- thematic catalogue of the collection.
Reference information about the collection and research is provided by the museum’s specialists.
Implemented Development Projects:
- 2000 – European Commission programme “Culture 2000” project “Renaissance of Historical Crafts and Synthesis with Modern Technologies in the Conservation of the 15th Century Bauska Castle Ruins” (Phase I of Bauska Castle ruins conservation — southern and western walls, southern prismatic tower);
- 2008 – ERDF project “Inclusion of Bauska Castle in the Cultural Tourism Circulation” (Phase I of restoration and reconstruction of the new part of the castle);
- 2010 – LLI project “Development of Active and Accessible Museums in Zemgale and Northern Lithuania” (renovation of collection storage rooms, purchase of furniture, installation of an elevator, audio guide, replicas of historical lighting fixtures, restoration of sgraffito in the north-eastern tower, restoration of paving in the entrance area);
- 2014 – ERDF project “Bauska Castle — Restoration Phase II of a Socio-Economically Significant Cultural Heritage Site” (large-scale restoration works, including interiors, façades, staircases, portals, stoves, stained glass, floor coverings);
- 2021 – ERDF project “Preservation and Development of Significant Cultural and Historical Heritage to Improve the Cultural Tourism Offer in the Zemgale Region” (conservation of the central tower and adjoining walls, and rehabilitation of the Mēmele riverbank slope);
- 2022 – LLI project “Historic Route: Raudondvaris – Bauska” (replicas of 17th-century musical instruments, open-air military exhibition, lighting fixtures for interior exhibition design, equipment for educational activities).
Awards:
- 2002 – State Inspection for Heritage Protection Award “Annual Award 2002” in restoration;
- 2003 – “Annual Award 2003” for promotion of cultural heritage;
- 2004 – Laureate diploma in the “Europa Nostra Awards” competition;
- Honorary certificate from the European Heritage Association “The Best in Heritage”;
- Award “Golden Dust” from the Latvian Museums Association;
- 2014 – Latvian Construction Annual Award — 1st place in the category “Restoration”;
- 2015 – State Inspection for Heritage Protection Award “Annual Award 2015” in restoration;
- 2020 – Latvian Construction Annual Award — 1st place in the category “Restoration”.
