Member manors

Rietavas Manor

L. Ivinskio g. 4, Rietavas

Manager – Rietavas Oginskis Cultural History Museum

Dvaro adresas: L. Ivinskio g. 4, Rietavas, LT-90311

Nestled in the heart of Samogitia, Rietavas Manor stands as one of the most significant centers of 19th-century Lithuanian cultural and technological advancement. Closely tied to the noble Oginskis dynasty, the manor became a symbol of visionary leadership and national awakening.

A Legacy of Noble Stewardship

From the 15th to the 18th century, Rietavas Manor was governed by prominent Lithuanian noble families: the Sapiega, Masalskis, Kiška, Radvila, and Zubovas. In 1732, the estate passed to the Tiškevičius family, who transformed it into a residential manor. By 1763, the Rietavas eldership and manor were entrusted to Tadas Pranciškus Oginskis, marking the beginning of a new era under five successive generations of Oginskis knights.

The manor's golden age began in the early 19th century under the stewardship of Mykolas Kleopas Oginskis – a composer, diplomat. Later, under the guidance of Irenėjus and Bogdanas Oginskis, true visionaries of their time, Rietavas became a cradle of innovation and cultural renaissance.

Firsts That Shaped a Nation

In April 1892, during Easter celebrations, the first electric light bulbs in Lithuania were lit at Rietavas Manor and its church. Soon after, the first telephone line was installed, connecting Rietavas to the Tiškevičius estates on the coast. The initial line between Rietavas and Plungė spanned 54.8 kilometers.

The manor hosted Lithuania's first agricultural exhibitions, operated a music school that nurtured many talented musicians, and its orchestra concerts drew large and enthusiastic audiences.

A Park of Botanical Splendor

Designed between 1848 and 1855, Rietavas Park was the largest landscaped park in Lithuania until the emergence of Palanga and Žagarė parks. It boasted rich flora, including 106 varieties of roses, 72 types of dahlias, and numerous exotic trees. The estate also featured the most lavish winter garden in the Baltic region, where palm trees and subtropical plants flourished.

Preserved to this day are the linden alley connecting the manor site to the town church, the White and Red gates, the gatekeeper's lodge, family cemetery, and the restored chapel-mausoleum.

A Living Cultural Space

Today, the former manor's music school houses the Rietavas Oginskis Cultural History Museum, which oversees the park's maintenance and continues the estate's cultural mission.

The museum showcases the history of the Oginskis family, the cultural evolution of the region, the legacy of Lithuanian manors, and the resistance movements of the 20th century. Rietavas Manor tells stories of dreams and losses, of flourishing and rebirth, and of individuals who dared to create what once seemed impossible.

The park has become a vibrant cultural venue – hosting events, educational programs, and concerts – inviting visitors to explore the Oginskis legacy and the spiritual essence of Samogitia.