Kautzemünde (Kaucmindes) is located in the immediate vicinity of the ducal palace Rundale (Ruhenthal), which is called the "Kurland Versailles". Kautzemünde was created only in the course of time by merging several estates.
In 1513, the land master of the Teutonic Order, Wolter von Plettenberg, enfeoffed the knight of the Order, Martin Schulte, with a piece of land. A second enfeoffment took place in 1469 with another piece of land. These two enfeoffments were the foundation stone for the later 1350 ha large estate Kautzemünde.
The v. Schulte family remained the owner of the estate until 1753. Through sale in the course of various divisions of inheritance, Kautzemünde came into the possession of the Baltic family v. Schoeppingk. Baron Schoeppingk had appointed his only daughter Juliane as heiress. She married Baron Peter von der Pahlen, a major in Russian service.
Peter von der Pahlen left deep traces, not only in the history of Courland, but also in the history of Russia through his rise at the Tsar's court. In 1799 he was raised to the rank of count and became Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta. However, he became best known for his role in the assassination of Tsar Paul I. His son and successor, Alexander I, then sent von der Pahlen to his estates in Courland as a precaution. This did not remain without consequences for Kautzmünde, as he not only reorganized the estate and enlarged the property, but also built the present manor house. Kautzemünde remained in the von der Pahlen family until the Latvian land reform in 1920.
Based on the stylistic features, the construction of the manor house can be dated around 1780. Even without documentary evidence, it can be assumed that the house was built according to the plans of the master builder Severin Jensen, who was the court architect of the Duke of Courland from 1772.
Most of the spacious farm buildings of the manor date from the time of Count Peter von der Pahlen (1824-1907). He also changed the internal spatial arrangement of the house. The enfilade system of rooms going into each other, which was inconvenient for domestic life, and the usually narrow staircases were changed.
During the time of Count Paul von der Pahlen (1862-1942), the last owner, the last and most extensive structural changes of the chateau took place under the direction of the architect Leo Reynier. Due to the large number of children of the count's family, the existing rooms were no longer sufficient. Therefore, the side wings were enlarged and connected with the main house. The current horseshoe-shaped view was created.
After the takeover by the young Latvian Republic, a domestic school was established in the castle. During the Soviet period it served as a dormitory and kindergarten. After Latvia regained its independence, the castle was privatized. Unfortunately, since then only inadequate maintenance measures have been taken.
The current condition is thus to be described as ruinous. However, the house has enough potential and size to make an interesting project out of it with a good idea and of course with the appropriate capital investment. It would not be the first house to be resurrected from ruin.
