Lielvirbi brings together manor history and a clearly identifiable landscape: the manor house lies in the Abava Valley, on the banks of the Virbupe. Its historic surroundings include a renovation in the Historicist style, an English park, a specific teaching activity in the manor house, and ancient Curonian burial grounds nearby. The thematic scope therefore extends from the building and its ensemble to landscape and historical points of interest in the surrounding area. These different themes make Lielvirbi a destination for travellers who want to combine manor history with nature and culture.
Water and nature in the surrounding area
The 9-kilometre-long Žuburstrauts watercourse runs through Lielvirbi. The manor house lies on the banks of the Virbupe in the Abava Valley; the watercourse is another named landscape feature at Lielvirbi. The Virsaisi Waterfall is located nearby, to the west of the manor house. It is on a small stream that flows year-round into the Virbupe River. There is also a nature trail through the forest to the waterfall in the vicinity of Lielvirbi. As the Virsaisi Waterfall, a nearby attraction, is on private land, check the access arrangements before visiting. The landscape features offer different points of interest: for the Žuburstrauts, its 9-kilometre length is central, while for the Virsaisi Waterfall, it is the stream, river and forest trail.
Renovation, ensemble and park
Around 1875, the manor house was renovated in the Historicist style to a design by architect Theodore Zeiler. Historicism is a style that draws on earlier architectural forms; this classification helps to understand the renovation as a specific building phase in the house’s history. The central complex included at least 28 buildings. At the end of the 19th century, an English-style park was laid out around the manor house. Restoration of the manor house was completed in 2012 and included the castle building, barn, washhouse and servants’ house. This makes it possible to distinguish the renovation and park landscaping as 19th-century design phases from the restoration completed in 2012.
Musical history and burial grounds
From 1800 to 1802, Karl Ferdinand Amenda taught music to Baron Schtromberg’s children in the manor house. Unlike the building phases, this episode tells of a person and an activity in the house; it predates the renovation around 1875 by a considerable margin. Ancient Curonian burial grounds lie near the manor house. They extend the historical perspective beyond the building and provide an archaeological point of reference in the surrounding area.
Plan your visit and overnight stay
Visits to the centre must be arranged in advance; check the current visiting arrangements before travelling. The manor house accommodates tourist groups wishing to stay overnight. Agree on overnight arrangements with the operator before your trip. There is a ceremony venue at the manor house well; enquire in advance about its availability.
Discover more destinations: Aklaisciems, Dārte, Strazde, Valdemārpils, Mērsrags, Dižstende, Mordanga, Brieži.
For the broader travel overview: Talsu Novads.
