In Mēri, Bilska Rural Territory, Smiltene Municipality, 15 kilometres from Smiltene in the direction of Estonia, hidden in the forest lies Mēru Manor – a manor house with Neo-Renaissance features complemented by German Mannerism. It is the only manor lord’s residence of this architectural type in Vidzeme, preserving more than 100 years of history. As an estate with an agricultural structure owned by the von Zoeckel family, the site is first mentioned in written sources in the mid-18th century under the name “Mehrhof”.

Nowadays, the building houses the Smiltene Regional Research Museum, where visitors can learn about both the history of the place and the manor itself, while the permanent exhibitions present the history of Smiltene Municipality, the history of medicine in the region, and the town history of Smiltene. Smiltene Regional Research Museum organises contemporary art (easel-painting, contemporary art, photography, decorative and applied arts, etc.) and history exhibitions, as well as annual events, such as International Museum Night, and the Legend Night organised by the Latvian Castles and Manors Association.

The Mēri Manor Park, covering 9 hectares, is a culturally and historically valuable landscaped area. The pride of the park is the giant oak with the widest canopy in the Baltic states (35 m). Opposite it, beside an alley of large and ancient trees of life, a majestic giant larch rises above the manor roof.

The museum welcomes visitors of all ages; pupils take part in educational programmes exploring the museum’s collection, while adults can relax and take part in creating cosmetic products in the workshop “Mēri Manor Beauty Kitchen”. Open guided tours are held once a month; individual and group tours are advised to be booked at least two days in advance. The historic halls of Mēru Manor may be rented out for special occasions such as weddings, birthday celebrations, seminars, and formal events.

A detailed price list available here.