The Borch Palace in Preiļi (Latvia): A Spectacular Restoration

The Borch Palace in Preiļi (Latvia): A Spectacular Restoration 

In the very heart of Latvia, in the picturesque town of Preiļi, stands a palace whose history stretches back more than two centuries. For many years, the building fell into neglect, until last year, when its spectacular revitalization was finally completed. Today, the palace once again shines with splendor, telling a story of how ruins can be brought back to life and restored to glory! 

The 18th and Early 19th Centuries

The history of the Borch Palace in Preiļi dates back to the late 18th century. The first record of a wooden manor located in the scenic Latgale region appears in the 1784 estate inventory. The new brick palace was built around 1806 at the initiative of Count Josef Heinrich von der Borch, a Commander of the Order of Malta and one of the most distinguished members of the family. Later, in 1817, a chapel was consecrated, with the family crypt of the Borch family arranged beneath it. In 1826, a picturesque park covering about 24 hectares was established around the palace, featuring alleys, ponds, and a classical landscape layout typical of the Romantic era.

Pałac Preiļi na początku XX wieku

The Second Half of the 19th Century: Reconstruction and Flourishing

The founder’s son, Michael Josef Borch, decided to give the family residence a new spirit and a more representative character. In the 1860s, he began a major reconstruction of the palace, inspired by the English Romantic Gothic style fashionable at the time. Along with the redesigned residence, the surrounding park was also transformed. In 1866, however, Michael Borch decided to sell the estate to Johann Heinrich Fredrick, keeping only the chapel and the gatekeeper’s house, the last traces of his family’s legacy. Over the following decades, the property changed hands several times until, in 1910, it was acquired by Karl Hipius. From this period comes the red brick gate that still greets visitors today, near the former Borch chapel.

Ruiny zamku Borchów, stan w 2000 roku, autor: J. Sedols

From Palace to School

After the agrarian reform of 1920, the Borch estate was nationalized. Part of the land was distributed among local residents, and the palace itself found a new purpose. In 1924, an agricultural school opened within its walls, later transformed into a household school. After World War II and during the Soviet occupation, the palace gradually lost its former grandeur. Various institutions were housed inside, among them a secondary school, local offices, and state agencies. In 1978, a fire destroyed the upper floor of the building, leaving behind only ruins and sorrow. It seemed that the palace’s story had come to an end, yet it did not. Thanks to the passion, determination, and commitment of the local authorities, the Borch Palace eventually rose from the ashes like a phoenix, becoming a symbol of hope.

fot. Pałac w 2010 r. (Aivars Gulbis) i w 2023 r. (Viktors Agurjanovs).

New Discoveries and the Beginning of Restoration

The new millennium brought renewed hope for the revival of this historic site and the restoration of its former glory. In 2001, the ruins of the stables were conserved, and two years later the city commissioned a design for the reconstruction of the entire castle complex, including the park and the manor. Although the plan was not carried out at that time, the vision of returning the palace to its past splendor endured. Between 2007 and 2008, archaeologist Antonija Vilcāne conducted excavations in the Borch Chapel, leading to an extraordinary discovery: a fragment of a Commander’s uniform from the Order of Malta, most likely belonging to Count Josef Heinrich von der Borch himself.

A true breakthrough came in 2016, when the decision was made to begin a comprehensive renovation of the palace. From 2019 onward, an extensive program of conservation work was undertaken: the roof was replaced, the facades restored, and new windows and doors installed. The project was carried out by the company SIA Preiļu celtnieks, with the total investment amounting to 419,000 euros. In 2021, the next stage of modernization began, including the restoration of the interiors and the adaptation of the first floor for commercial and cultural use. As a result, the city gained not only a revitalized architectural landmark but also a new center of social life.

fot.latgale.travel

A Return to Former Glory

Today, the Borch Palace in Preiļi is not only a valuable monument of Neo-Gothic architecture but also a testament to the rich history of the region. The building, once in ruins, is gradually regaining its former splendor. Plans for the future include establishing a museum, an art gallery, and spaces for cultural and educational events, allowing both residents and visitors to explore the heritage of the Borch family and the Latgale region more deeply. For now, the site remains closed to the public, but its revival is well underway. 

Author: Piotr Gadomski

Sources:

Dwór Preiļi – Wikipedia, wolna encyklopedia (accessed: 03.11.2025)

Łotwa - Pałac Borchów w Prelach (Łatgalia, dawne Inflanty) - Rekonstrukcje i Odbudowy (accessed: 03.11.2025)

Main photo: latgale.travel