Latvia boasts a rich cultural heritage – castles and manors that hold centuries-old stories. But these places are not just historical monuments. Today, they are becoming high-value destinations for corporate events – conferences, seminars, strategy meetings and team-building activities.
An event in a historic setting provides more than just a beautiful backdrop – it creates an experience that inspires, unites and encourages creative thinking.
10 reasons to choose a castle or manor for your corporate event
Historical charm and elegance. No modern conference room can compete with the feeling of being in a luxurious building with crystal chandeliers, marble staircases or exquisite wall paintings. Such an environment not only gives the event a certain prestige, but also makes participants feel valuable and appreciated. For companies, it is a good way to demonstrate respect for their employees or partners.
An inspiring environment for creativity. Historical buildings with their stories help to break away from the office routine. When employees find themselves in an environment that is different from the usual, they think more freely, find non-standard solutions and are better able to focus on future goals.
Ample opportunities for formal and informal events. The spacious interiors of manors and castles allow you to combine different event formats – a formal conference during the day, a dinner with live music and team-building activities the next day. All in one place, without the need to move.
Diversity of team-building activities. Manors and castles are located close to nature and preserve rich historical traditions, so the activities they offer are particularly diverse. Companies can choose between sports competitions, creative workshops or historical games, which not only unite the team, but also provide educational experiences in history, natural and environmental sciences, art and creative thinking, as well as develop logical thinking, strategic skills and cooperation skills.
Cultural and educational value. Castles have historical exhibitions, art collections or ancient parks, which are usually available to event participants. This gives added value to the event – employees gain new knowledge that enriches their horizons.
Proximity to nature. Manors and castles are often located in picturesque parks, by rivers or lakes. This allows for outdoor activities - from picnics to boating. Nature helps to restore energy, which is important after intensive work sessions.
Exclusivity and privacy. It is important for companies to have peace and privacy during the event. By reserving a castle or manor just for your team, you can create a special atmosphere in which participants feel free, without external factors disturbing them.
Gastronomic experience. Enjoying food is an essential part of any event. Manor and castle restaurants often collaborate with local farmers, using seasonal products. This means that participants not only feast on delicious dishes, but also get to know the identity of Latvian flavours.
Overnight accommodation in a historic environment. Staying in a castle suite is a special experience – four-poster beds, antique furniture and historical details create the feeling that guests are part of aristocratic life. It is an experience that cannot be had in a classic hotel.
By choosing a castle or manor for a business event, the company gets not only a beautiful environment, but also an effective platform for strengthening the team. Studies show that employees who participate in informal, positive events are more loyal, motivated and ready to work in a team. An event in a manor or castle signals the company's quality standards, creative approach and willingness to invest in employees and development.
TOP 5 Unique Latvian Castles and Manors for Business Events and Team Building
Rundāle Castle – Historical Luxury and Fantastic Garden
Rundāle Palace and Museum is one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of Latvia and an inspiring destination for corporate events, as it combines historical luxury and modern facilities. It is recommended to start the event with a guided tour of the palace interiors, gaining both aesthetic pleasure and a fascinating insight into the times of the Dukes of Courland-Semgale, Baroque and Rococo expressions in architecture and art, as well as the impressive restoration works carried out over more than 50 years. Theatrical tours with elements of historical reconstruction or performance are also possible. Various outdoor activities can be organized in the 10-hectare, carefully maintained French garden – it is attractive in all seasons, but especially magnificent during the flowering of tulips and roses. The plantings of peonies, hydrangeas and other flowering plants are also expressive. In the stable building, modern conference rooms are equipped, suitable for hosting up to 100 participants. Various concerts, exhibitions, and events are regularly held in the castle complex, which can enrich any company event. A delicious meal can be offered to event participants right in the castle at the café “Ozollāde”, which is open all year round, or at the seasonal café in the French garden. Other cafés and restaurants are also available nearby, which provide catering services for various types of events.
Mazmežotne Manor – creative workshops and closeness to nature
Mazmežotne Manor is located in a picturesque location by the Lielupe River and is an ideal choice for companies that want to combine work with peaceful relaxation in nature. The atmosphere of the manor itself is inspiring, allowing you to break away from everyday stress, but the range of activities offered makes it a great place for both formal events and creative workshops and team-building experiences. Guests can take part in wine tastings, culinary master classes or even joint painting classes in the open air. Accommodation at the manor combines historical charm with modern comfort, some rooms have balconies overlooking the Lielupe River or the vast surrounding landscapes, which provide special peace after a working day. The manor restaurant pampers its guests with exquisite dishes, combining the quality of local products with an elegant serving style. After an intensive day's programme, participants can relax and recharge in the manor's spa complex, with sauna, hot tub or other water treatments. The vast grounds of the manor also offer walking trails along the Lielupe River, the opportunity to ride bicycles or boats, or stay at the waterside cottages and settle down by the campfire for evening relaxation.
Jaunmoku Castle – orienteering games and hunting traditions
Jaunmokas Castle, built in 1901 as a hunting lodge, is today a place where history and nature create an environment for both peaceful relaxation and educational experiences. The manor’s surroundings and the forest areas around it provide a diverse offer for business clients looking for event venues outside of classic conference venues. After a serious work session, here you can not only go on orienteering trails and play games based on hunting traditions, but also participate in the interactive escape game “Black Stories of the Green Forest”, which allows colleagues to solve puzzles, discover forest legends and work together to come to a solution as a united team. The collections and interior of the castle museum offer a rich range of stories – from castle architecture to ancient traditions, which the guide can integrate into the event programs, making them not only entertaining, but also educational. When the day’s activities are over, event participants can enjoy walks in the beautiful surroundings. Jaunmoku Castle also offers overnight stays in the hotel, so that the event program can be implemented without traveling and allowing participants to fully enjoy the environment.
Jaunpils Castle – a medieval experience with knights
Jaunpils Castle offers the opportunity not only to immerse yourself in the age of knights, but to implement this idea in every detail of the event – from decorations and activities to accommodation and feast. Upon arrival at the castle, you will be greeted by an authentic medieval atmosphere, which allows the team to disconnect from the modern rush and immerse themselves in stories about the life of barons and courtiers. In the tavern, you will be able to enjoy medieval feasts, where each dish is served as part of a ceremony, and a special aura is created for the evening with ancient smells, music and dark castle rooms. During the event, the team is offered escape games in an ancient basement room. Renting a costume in the castle allows you to wear a linen or silk suit, even a velvet knight's costume, which makes the evening relaxed yet special – it is not just an event, but a role-playing game where everyone becomes a part of a medieval story. Accommodation in the castle hotel rooms offers a special environment – a baron's room, white or medieval-themed rooms, so that each guest can choose the atmosphere that best suits their taste. Such a combination of offers creates an experience that is more than an event.
Mālpils Manor – art, elegance and exquisite cuisine
The classicist architecture of Mālpils Manor, the rich interior with restored fireplaces, oak panels, vaults and historical furniture will create an atmosphere that allows the team to focus on both the content and the experience. When the working day is over and the seminar or evening part has passed, participants can relax by choosing one of the recreational options. The manor complex has massage services, boat and bicycle rental, walking paths in the baroque-style park, as well as a winter garden terrace where you can spend some time sipping tea or coffee. Guided tours allow you to get to know the history of the manor and the restoration process, as well as the stories of the interior details – paintings, relics, restored vaults and original structures that have given the manor its character. The chefs of the manor restaurant use local seasonal products, and the menu changes to harmoniously match the season – from leisurely business lunches to sophisticated dinners. At the end of the evening, you can enjoy tastings, a delicious meal, decorations and an atmosphere with sophisticated presentation – this culinary experience often becomes the central element of the event. In turn, the hotel is full of historic charm. The unifying element of all these offers is sophistication – both the cuisine, the guest rooms, the interior of the rooms and also the natural surroundings are designed with taste. With elegance and the added value of art, Mālpils manor is able to create an environment where teams unite not only through work, but through the richness of the aesthetic experience lived together.
Latvian manors and castles are increasingly adapting to modern needs – they are equipped with modern technology, offer hybrid event options and develop sustainable solutions, such as energy-efficient heating systems or the use of organic food. This means that companies that choose to hold business events here can enjoy the historic charm without sacrificing convenience and technical support.
