Raudondvario Dvaras

Raudondvaris Manor

Historians claim that the castle has been started building by Kaunas chamberlain, Wojciech Dzewaltowski in the second half of the sixteenth century. Later the castle estate was owned by a number of prominent Lithuanian nobility: Jan Eustachy Kossakowski, Janusz Radziwiłła, Jan Karol Worłowski, Anton, Józef, Henryk, Kazimierz Zabiełła, Michał, Benedykt Emmanuel and Benedykt Henryk Tyszkiewicz counts.

1500

Jan Dziewaltowski

1581–1631

Wojciech Dziewaltowski

1572–1578

Sigismund II Augustus and Barbara Radziwill

1549–1551

Jan Dziewaltowski

Jan Dziewaltowski continued his father Wojciech Dziewaltowski works to build Raudondvaris castle.

Wojciech Dziewaltowski

The king of Poland and The Grand duke of Lithuania Sigismund II Augustus signed the privilege that gave the right to Kaunas chamberlain Wojciech Dziewaltowski forever manage villages of Vilkija county. The privilege was signed on April 30th, 1572. The construction of Raudondvaris castle in historiography is linked with Wojciech Dziewaltowski and his son Jan Dziewaltowski, who in the second half of 16th century has strengthened their family influence as nobility.

Sigismund II Augustus and Barbara Radziwill

Surroundings of Raudondvaris as integral part of Vilkija county was owned by the Grand duke of Lithuania kingdom Sigismund II Augustus. He gave this property as a wedding gift to his wife Barbara Radziwill in 1549. Unfortunately, Barbara died in 1551, but the idea to build Raudondvaris castle is often linked with her. Today Raudondvaris castle visitors can see paintings of her and Sigismund II Augustus in hall that is named after her. The author of paintings is Virginijus Stančikas.

1600

Jan Eustachy Kossakowski and Katarzyna Dziewaltowska

1649

Janusz Radziwill and Maria Lupul

1652–1655

Boguslaw Radziwill and Anna Maria Radziwillowa

1655–1662

Jan Karol Worlowski

1662

Jan Eustachy Kossakowski and Katarzyna Dziewaltowska

Raudondvaris castle was parted for both daughters of Jan Dzewaltowski. One of the daughters brought Raudondvaris as a wedding dowry to Jan Eustachy Kossakowski family. Kossakowski family failed to settle in Raudondvaris and after the death of Eustachy, the castle was bought by Radziwill family, one of the richest and most powerful families in Lithuania Kingdom in 1652.

Janusz Radziwill and Maria Lupul

The Grand etmon of GDL, Janusz Radziwill was one of the most prominent personalities of his era – famous politician, military leader, patron of culture. He made the first known transformation in Raudondvaris castle. (Picture: wikipedia)

Boguslaw Radziwill and Anna Maria Radziwillowa

After the death of Janusz Radziwill in 1655, his property was inherited by cousin Boguslaw Radziwill. He was the Governor of Prussia and the stableman of Lithuania Kingdom. Raudondvaris castle suffered an attack of Tsar's army during the war between Lithuania's feudals and Russia in 1659. Worthy things were stolen and wooden buildings were burned. (Picture: wikipedia)

Jan Karol Worlowski

Kaunas Treasurer, Jan Karol Worlowski, became interested in buying the castle in 1662.

1700

Jozef Zabiello and Marianna Sobolewska

1776–1794

Antoni Zabiello

1734–1776

Michal Zabiello

????–1734

Jozef Zabiello and Marianna Sobolewska

Antoni Zabiello died in 1776 and left Raudondvaris to his oldest son Jozef Zabiello. Jozef was Lieutenant-General of the Lithuanian armed forces, field etmon and since 1793 his career was stunning, but later he signed pro-Russian noblemen Targovic Confederation Act, that was against the Constitution of 1791 May 3d accepted by parliament and opposed act's initiated reforms and preconditions to strengthen the Republic of both Nations. Due to unsuccessful military actions, Jozef Zabiello was accused of betrayal and hanged on May 9th, 1794 in Warsaw. (Picture: Wikipedia)

Antoni Zabiello

After Michal Zabiello death, his son GDL army general lieutenant Antoni Zabiello took over Raudondvaris castle. Since 1761, he also became the master of hunt. On the initiative of Antoni Zabiello, the reconstruction of the castle was carried out. It was supposed to be the largest transformation of the castle, carried out in the middle of the 18th century. One of the reasons for the reconstruction was that the castle no longer met the needs of the owners. On the other hand, the reconstruction of the castle had to be absorbed naturally, since the last transformations during Radziwill time had passed for almost a century. Thus, the interior of the palace was rebuilt, the window openings were replaced, some openings were newly made.

Michal Zabiello

After Worlowski family Kaunas county court scribe Michal Zabiello resided in Raudondvaris castle. Zabiello family was very famous and widely manifested in GDL political life. This family owned and managed many large manors in Kaunas county. In their coat of arms was an ax. Zabiello family gained the leading role not only in Kaunas county but at state level too and because of it Raudondvaris became the important political center of Kaunas county during 16th–18th century. Zabiello have lived in Raudondvaris manor for about 100 years and implemented huge reconstruction in the castle. It is known that their reception parties included such guests as memebers of royal families, they had an honour to welcome prince Karl, the duke of Courland.

1800

Henryk Kaziemierz Zabiello

1794–1819

Michal Tyszkiewicz

1819–1825

Benedykt Emanuel Tyszkiewicz and Wanda Wankowicz

1825–1866

Henryk Kaziemierz Zabiello

Henryk Kaziemierz Zabiello inherited Raudondvaris manor after his father Jozef death. After experiencing the tragic fate of his father, the abolition of state and the unsuccessful actions of Napoleon, the young owner of manor associated his life with creative activity. This led him to be more known as a painter whose paintings reflected the scenes of battles, army routine, horses and landscapes. The young Zabiello loved to create graphic artworks and work with watercolor. Seeing that epicenter of personal life of Henryk Kaziemierz Zabiello has long moved to Warsaw, it was decided to break ties with Raudondvaris. (Picture.: wikipedia)

Michal Tyszkiewicz

In 1819, the estate from Henryk Kaziemierz Zabiello was bought by Michal Tyszkiewicz, count from Valozhyn. The count was also colonel, commander of the 17th (Lithuanian) chapel of the Napoleon Bonaparte army and the marshal of Kaunas province nobility. Michal Tyszkiewicz had a big family (five sons and one daughter) so he cared for the increase of wealth, inherited many manors and bought many more. During the tsarist years, the policy field has narrowed, so counts Tyszkiewicz were more interested in cultural activities, collecting and travels. Their role as representatives of Samogitia was very emphasized. The castle when Michal bought it, was built of red bricks, had red roof and one tower. The interior was very luxurious. Raudondvaris castle was decorated with expensive furniture, paintings of various nobility, landscapes, copper engravings, great chandeliers. Unfortunately, during the uprising fights in 1830–1831, the castle was damaged by Russian army artillery. The fire of May 12th in 1831 took almost everything – wooden buildings of the castle were burned and the castle itself was badly damaged. (Picture.: wikipedia)

Benedykt Emanuel Tyszkiewicz and Wanda Wankowicz

In 1832, count Benedykt Emanuel Tyszkiewicz ordered to design the new interior and build new buildings of the castle. Architect Jan Margewicz worked with this new project implementation in Raudondvaris during 1836–1840. Since 1840, count Tyszkiewicz invited architect Jokob Woller from Rietavas to manage reconstruction works. In 1847, count Tyszkiewicz invited Italian architect Laurus Cezary Anichini to Raudondvaris and entrusted to lead the construction of the church, stables, rectory, also park rearrangement on the north side of the castle. All reconstruction works gave Raudondvaris manor undeniable glamor, aristocratic solidity. Brick manor buildings got the neo gothic features, typical to 19th century Lithuanian manor architecture. At that time, there were new architectural forms, the elements of the renaissance of the castle were neglected. Benedykt Emanuel Tyszkiewicz had three daugthers with his wife Wanda Wankowicz. His only son Michal necessary to inherit the manor died suddenly after birth. Ten years passed and wife of Michal died, soon after also died one of his daughters, Valeria Clemence Johanna, without leaving any children. The husband of Valeria, also named Michal Tyszkiewicz (son of Kiev marshal), after three years married Wanda Sophia Maria, the youngest sister of his deceased wife. Only one grandchild, the heir of Raudondvaris manor, count Benedykt Henryk Tyszkiewicz was born from that marriage.

1900

Wladyslaw Tyszkiewicz and Eleonor Maria Radziwill

20 th century

Benedykt Jan Tyszkiewicz and Roza Branicka

1903–1915

Benedykt Henryk Tyszkiewicz and Elisabeth Clara Bancroft

1866–1903

Wladyslaw Tyszkiewicz and Eleonor Maria Radziwill

The las owner of Raudondvaris, Benedykt Jan Tyszkiewicz, died in 1948, Paris. His only son Wladyslaw Tyszkiewicz married princess Eleonor Maria Radziwill, but they didn't have any children. During the II World War, Wladyslaw was taken to Soviet Union and after the war ended he worked in National museum of Warsaw. Being 51 years old, he was tragically killed in a car accident, in Warsaw 1956.

Benedykt Jan Tyszkiewicz and Roza Branicka

In 1903 Benedykt Henryk Tyszkiewicz gave all his manors including Raudondvaris manor as a wedding gift to son Benedykt Jan. Benedykt Jan and his wife Roza Branicka didn't live in Raudondvaris constantly. They were spending autumn and winter in Poland or France and came to Raudondvaris only for spring and summer. It is notable that Benedykt Jan purchased one of the first cars in Europe. Before the I World War counts Tyszkiewicz went to live abroad. All wealth was taken from Raudondvaris manor and transported to Poland and other places.

Benedykt Henryk Tyszkiewicz and Elisabeth Clara Bancroft

Count Benedykt Emanuel Tyszkiewicz before his death in 1866 presented Raudondvaris manor to his grandson Benedykt Henryk. This heir was a rare visitor of Raudondvaris manor, because he loved travelling, he also was a hunter, photographer and patron of culture. Bendykt Henryk visited many Africa and Asia countries. From those travels he used to bring science-valuable items, ethnographic art collections and masterpieces of world-class fine arts. Many of those items were kept in Raudondvaris. There was rapidly growing library of rare books and music sheets collections. The castle had "Persian" and "Arabic" rooms. The painting "Stephan Batory near Pskov" is one of the most important art items involved in Raudondvaris manor inventory. It is unknown when exactly this painting was brought to the castle because still in 1878 it was in Paris. Written sources show that later painting was exhibited in the main hall of the first floor of Raudondvaris castle. The picture made by Benedykt Henryk confirms mentioned statement. Count Benedykt Henryk became famous photographer in international exhibitions, he also was one of the world photography pioneers. Count received mandarin title during his trip in China. Benedykt Henryk Tyszkiewicz had two sons – Benedykt Jan and Edward Reynold, and one daughter Elisabeth Maria.

Skaityti daugiau

Raudondvaris Manor

Renginiai

MARTYNAS LEVICKIS: CONCERTO CLASSICO

MARTYNAS LEVICKIS: CONCERTO CLASSICO

17th International music festival "Operetta in Kaunas castle"

17th International music festival "Operetta in Kaunas castle"

Naujienos

Folklore feast "The land of great people"

Hunting trophies exhibition at Raudondvaris Manor!

Raudondvaris Manor