Description of the attraction
Jaunmoka Palace is located in the Tukums region of Latvia, 75 km from Riga and about 30 km from the city of Tukums. The palace was built in 1901; Wilhelm Boxlough became the architect of the project. Originally, Jaunmokas Castle was built as a hunting ground for the mayor of the city, George Armitsted, who owned the palace until 1904.
Over the next few years, Jaumok Castle was owned by different families. Since 1920, the castle has become the property of the state. After the division of the Jaunmokas estate, outbuildings and land were leased out. In the castle itself there is a children's holiday home "Tsirulysi".
During the Second World War, the castle was used for the needs of both Russian and German troops. So, at the beginning of the war, a sergeant's school was located in the Jaunmokas castle, later there was a German radio station in it. Well, closer to the end of the war, a German military hospital was located here.
In the post-war period there were apartments, offices, and shops. During this period, no one was involved in the repair of the palace. Since 1974, after the transfer of Jaunmoka Castle to the Ministry of the Forestry Industry, repair and restoration work began here, which continued for 20 years. In 1992, the castle became part of the state hunting farm, and since 2000, JSC Latvijas valsts mezi has become the owner of the castle.
The works on the improvement of the castle are being carried out today. Their goal is to promote and establish the Jaunmoka Palace as one of the most important tourist and cultural centers in the country.
There is one legend connected with Jaunmokas Castle, based on real events dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. The legend tells of a young girl, Dorita, who worked as a nanny in the castle during the Second World War. At that time, the palace was occupied by the Germans. Dorite fell in love with an officer who soon left, leaving her pregnant. The girl did not manage to survive the separation and overcome shame, and she drowned herself in the castle pond.
Since then, the people living in the castle have repeatedly seen the ghost of a young girl in the attic, dressed in white clothes. According to legend, it is assumed that her tai spirit could not calm down. Once the castle was visited by two scientists from Germany, who examined the palace with the help of special devices for the presence of different energies. So these scientists have determined that the strongest energy comes from the attic. It is even believed that they spoke with a ghost, as a result of which they realized that this is a good ghost. The workers of the castle also happened to see the white lady: from time to time in the empty palace they heard footsteps and the noise of opening doors.
Now the castle houses a forest museum, which can be visited both individually and with a group. Here you will find various expositions, where you will learn about the animals that inhabit the forests of Latvia, as well as about tree species and the history of forestry. In addition, various temporary exhibitions are periodically organized.
In the front lobby of Jaunmoka Castle you can see a unique tiled stove with 50 different views of Riga and Jurmala.
In addition to excursions and visits to exhibitions, you can have a wedding or other events in the old castle. There is also a small hotel here.
