HISTORY

Dikļi is a well-known place in Latvia because of the origins of Latvian theatre and the  Song Festival. In 1818 Schiller's play "Robbers" was performed in Dikļi, and the actors were peasants. In 1864, at the event of Whitsunday the first Song Festival organized by priest and writer Juris Neikens took place.

For 300 years home for fon der Pahlen family

Dikļi manor is an old property of the family of fon der Pahlens. The oldest facts date back to the beginning of the 15th century, when the owner of the manor was Gotshalk fon der Pahlen.

Later the manor was feudal land of diocese and was leased to Tomass Reze who sold it to Heinrick Veipte. Then it still was called Pahle manor. In 1456 Veipte sold it to Detlef fon der Pahlen for 5200 old Riga marks together with Idelbene, Kalnene and Sedlene villages that was 30 acres in all. After the death of Detlef fon der Pahlen, the manor was inherited by his son Georg.

Facts show that in 1631 Dikļi manor was owned by Georg's descendant Jacob fon der Pahlen. On July 7, 1631 Swedish king Gustav Adolf gave him also Viku village as a gift. This village was called Vecmuiža, and since 1517 it was owned by Reinhold fon der Pahlen, when Riga archbishop Kaspars gave it to him. Reinhold's descendants Georg and Fabian sold the property to their brother-in-law Reinhold Gothauzen, whose name in 1920-ies and 30-ies was still retained by the Grotuži house in the Dikļi village.

The manor in Lehvenvolds and Tiesenhauzens time

In October 28, 1722 the family of fon der Pahlens sold it to count Karl Gustav Lehvenvold for 8000 thalers together with Viki village. After his death the property was owned by his wife Sharlotte, born fon Rozen. She sold the manor to Margaret fon Tiesenhauzen, born fon Shternfelt, for 35,000 Albert's thalers in 1760. After her death it was inherited by her son, county judge Georg Johan fon Tiesenhauzen, who willed it to his son, assessor Georg Fabian fon Tiesenhauzen.

The Wolf family in Dikļi manor

Paul fon Volf bought Dikļi manor for 126,000 roubles from Johan fon Hanenfeld in 1860. In 1903 his son Manfred became the owner of the manor. Further it was inherited by his son Manfred Volf, then Volf's widow Irena Volf, born Mola, and daughter baroness Eva Volf.

Dikļi manor owners and art

The Dikļi Lutheran parish holds several works of art related to the owners of Dikļi manor. Gothic, gilded silver beaker and bowl for oblate were given as a present to Dikļi parish. The beaker has pictures of Golgat and coat of arms of the families of fon Ungerns and fon der Pahlens. This refers to Jacob fon der Pahlen's marriage with Anna fon Ungern from Asote in 1633.

In the wall of the altar part of the Dikļi Lutheran church, there is the upper part of the gravestone of Anna Pahlen-Ungern, who died in 1675. It shows a figure of a sleeping woman in semi-circular arc. This is a significant artwork of mannerism style in the form of memorial sculpture.

The manor buildings and park

The present-day Dikļi Palace was built in 1896, when baron P. Volf owned the manor. Modern neo-baroque building was constructed with mansard roof for the central part, side parts and decorating facades in an elegant and plastic manner. The barn is the second most significant part of Dikļi manor ensemble. It is older than the palace and built in the end of the XVIII century following classicism forms and with majestic portico, which was not typical to barns in Vidzeme at that time.

The park covering area is in a beautiful harmony with the manor buildings. To the south there is a pond said to have had oak-wood flooring. There is Wood park behind the pond, made in the steep banks of Mazbriede river (called also Pale, in the name of the Pahle family, and Dikļi river before).

Dikļi manor house is one of few manor houses in Vidzeme that has retained original interior features despite the experienced exploitation manners that were substantially different from the initially planned. Dikļi palace has original hall with fireplace made by firm „Zelm & Boehm”, several tile stoves, central stairs, parquet, wall panels a.o. elements. Dikļi Palace was approved as architectural monument of national significance in 1998.