Oleri Manor Garden

The romantic garden of Oleri Manor, with its peaceful ambience, reminds people how important it is to be in harmony with nature. Here you can feel the breath of history and imagine what life was once like on the ancient country estate. The place dates back to the 16th century; it was owned by the von Engelhart family in the 17th century and from 1836 by the von Krüdener family. Currently a creative family of artists lives in the manor – Kārlis and Ieva Zemītis. They open the manor up by organising various events, like chamber music concerts and the Dārza stāsti (Garden Stories) events.

Oleri Manor complex was built in the late 18th century in the early classicist style. It is surrounded by a landscaped garden created in the vein of mid-19th century romantic gardens with all the fashionable plants and planning conventions of the time. The garden’s central clearing stretches toward the wooden veranda of the manor. It is enclosed by hazelnut trees and mock oranges with clusters of larches, oaks and linden trees between which a wide view over the Oleri Lake once opened up. At present the view stretches to the Oleri Mire Nature Reserve’s naturally overgrown black alder swamp forest. Blue irises reflect in the manor’s ponds with croaking green frogs and where, in the evening hours, bats can be made out against the darkening sky. Here nature itself evokes contemplation and sentimentality.

The colourful raised bed kitchen garden has become a source of inspiration for many visitors. The small flower beds arranged around a romantic swing and an arbour are adorned with violets, columbines and sweet Williams. The garden is wrapped in the scent of phlox, honeysuckle, lilac and historic roses. The harmony of the various shades of green in the manor’s garden and the chiaroscuro and smell of the carefully selected flowering shrubs melt imperceptibly into the surrounding landscape and countryside. The garden is a place to take refuge from the daily rush.

Continuing over the Classicist wooden bridge visitors enter an ancient forest park that is memorable for its natural diversity. The Oleri Manor complex is located within the cultural and historical landscape protection zone of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve.