Priekule manor

Aizputes iela 1, Priekule

The place Preekuln (Priekule) was first mentioned in 1483, when the Master of the Livonian Order granted land to the knight Nikolaus von Korff for his military service. Thanks to its advantageous location, Priekule Manor later became an important and profitable trading place. Over time, a settlement developed here, which later grew into a town and eventually a city.
Priekule Manor (also known as Priekule Castle) was originally built in the 18th century.

Influenced by Western Europe, many manor owners modernised their estates at the end of the 19th century, including the Korff barons. In 1887, the Liepāja architect Paul Max Bertschy designed two reconstruction proposals for Priekule Castle at the request of Baron Korff. The baron chose the more elaborate option, designed in the Neo-Gothic style. The three-storey red brick building was enhanced with a balcony opening from the main hall, a grand ceremonial staircase leading down the riverbank slope into the park, and a viewing tower, which became part of the manor complex.

During World War II, only the manor’s basement survived intact. The main manor building and the entrance gates (known as the Priekule Swedish Gate) were restored in the 1950s, while the viewing tower was rebuilt in the 1980s. Today, a school operates in Priekule Manor. Visitors can also climb the tower and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area. Tower visits must be arranged in advance by contacting the Priekule Tourism Information Centre.