Sights of Samogitia (Žemaitija): Plungė (Oginski) Manor

Summer is a time of vacation and travel. Many Lithuanians choose to spend their holidays abroad, but there are more and more holidaymakers who remain to rest in their native Lithuania. Very often they rest in the western part of the country, which is rich in beaches, cosy and original resorts, interesting cultural and historical sites. One of them is the impressive Plungė or Oginski Manor in Samogitia, Plungė.

The Michael Oginski Palace on the banks of the Babrungas River is an architectural monument of national significance with invaluable landscape value. The chic Neo-Renaissance palace was designed at the end of the 19th century by the German architect Karl Loranco, who managed to perfectly incorporate the residence of the Oginski family into a mixed-style park marked by two rows of ponds. 

Today, the maintenance of this park is taken care of by the Samogitian Art Museum located in the Oginski Palace, which protects the heritage and traditions of the Oginski family residence.

The whole impressive ensemble of the palace can be seen in the Plungė manor, which is open to the guests of Plungė: the manor complex consists of the main central palace with luxurious sculptures adorning the facades, two offices, a large neo-Gothic stud farm (by the way, Samogitian the park gate, the guard house, as well as the huge park. Plungė manor is famous not only for its beauty and chicness, but also for its educational and cultural activities. By the order of Michael Oginski, a secret school of doctors, an orphanage and a music school operated here, where the famous Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis studied. The Oginski family were known for their collections of books, paintings, sculptures and archaeology preserved in the palace. The manor was famous for its innovations and achievements in technical and economic fields.

During the First World War, the Oginski Manor was occupied by the Germans. During the years of independence, the manor passed to Plungė municipality, but during the Second World War the palace was destroyed by fire. Until 1956, the manor was completely unused. Later, the palace was renovated, where the Construction Technical School was located. Since 1994, the Samogitian Art Museum has been established in Plungė Manor, protecting and nurturing the history and traditions of the Samogitian region.

The aim of the museum is to study and preserve the past and cultural heritage of the Samogitian region, as well as to maintain and nurture the unique Oginski Palace complex. The museum exhibits art values reflecting the culture of the Samogitian region, and exhibits professional paintings donated by Samogitian artists. Every year, the traditional M. Oginski International Classical Music Festival takes place here.

All guests of Samogitia who are resting and traveling on the historical trails of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania will be invited to stay at Oginski Hotel next to the ensemble of the Oginski Manor, which perfectly embodies the history and culture of Samogitia.

Oginski Hotel, the stylish and hospitable hotel in Plungė, will serve your best rest and memories.