Description

The first known owner of the Zemīte manor estate was “Tall Klauss”, who in the first part of the 15th century was mentioned as the heir to the fiefdom of Zemīte. It is believed that the present-day manor or the masters’ quarters were built around 1850, when a park was also set up around it. The neorenaissance style tower was, most likely, built as an extension tot the already existing building.

The manor’s masters’ quarters were burnt down in 1905 and restored only during the 1930-ties. Despite fire damage, the original scope of the manor building has been fundamentally preserved. In the old granary building of the manor estate, the Defenders’ House was set up in 1937. In 1943, several auxiliary buildings of the manor estate burned down in a fire. In 1945, a Machinery and Horse Hire Centre was set up in the Zemīte manor, while the former Defenders’ House premises hosted the Executive Committee of the Council of Zemīte Municipality Deputies of Working People. In 1949, a Machinery and Tractor Station (MTS) was set up. In 1951, the station was closed down and handed over to the Kandava RTU, whereas in 1962, a new company was formed on its basis — the branch of “Tukuma lauktehnika”. During the Soviet era, the manor hosted a canteen and apartments. It was planned to set up a museum in the tower building.

Today, the former masters’ quarters are the property of the municipality. In 2000, the Kandava Municipal Council invested funds in its reconstruction, and since that time, the manor has become the home of the Zemīte Elementary School.

It is said that the Blue Lady can be seen roaming the Zemīte manor at midnight. At the Zemīte manor park, you can spot the Guard’s face on the trunk of a lime tree, and also visit the Lovers’ Bench.