Bauska Castle and Raudondvaris Manor Cross-Border Project Reaches REGIOSTARS 2026 Finals

The cross-border cooperation project “Historical Road: Raudondvaris–Bauska” (HRRB) between Bauska Castle and Raudondvaris Manor (Lithuania) has been nominated for one of the most significant European regional development competitions – the REGIOSTARS Awards 2026. The project is among 25 finalists selected from 274 applications, according to the municipality's Public Relations Department.

The REGIOSTARS awards annually highlight EU-funded projects that make a significant contribution to regional development, foster cooperation, and create sustainable solutions for citizens. The project “Historical Road: Raudondvaris–Bauska” is nominated in the “Europe Closer to Citizens” category.

The project was implemented by the municipality together with the castle museum under the Interreg V-A Latvia–Lithuania Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2014–2020, from 2020 to 2022. Its goal was to develop cultural heritage sites, services, and products on a regional scale, as well as to increase visitor numbers outside the active tourism season.

Improvements and Innovations

During the project, significant upgrades were made at Bauska Castle Museum: the cultural heritage exhibition was expanded, the concert and event offerings were developed, and new solutions were created to attract visitors year-round.

Ruta Garklāva, head of the Scientific and Educational Work Department at Bauska Castle Museum, emphasized the project’s importance for the museum's development and achievements. Among them, replicas of 16th and 17th-century musical instruments were made – a positive organ, a double virginal, and a harp. The museum hosts professional early music performers who use these instruments to offer authentic musical sound in early music concerts at the castle. These instruments are a unique acquisition on a Latvian scale.

The museum's concert hall has been equipped with modern technology – an LED screen, sound system, stage, and other equipment, allowing the hall to be used not only for concerts but also for conferences, seminars, and other events. Additionally, a new open-air military exhibition was created by placing cannons on 17th-century carriage reconstructions on the castle bastions; the existing military exhibition was supplemented with reconstructions of 17th-century musketeer and artilleryman costumes; and the museum's offerings were expanded with two thematic programs: “17th Century Art of War” and “Illumination in a Renaissance Castle”.

In cooperation with the project’s lead partner, Raudondvaris Manor, a tourist guide “Historical Road: Raudondvaris–Bauska” was prepared, available in Latvian, Lithuanian, and English. It compiles information about the offerings of both cultural heritage sites, activities implemented during the project, and other tourist attractions in the Bauska and Kaunas areas.

As a result, the historical sites have become more accessible to visitors throughout the year, strengthening Latvian-Lithuanian cooperation in cultural tourism. During implementation, nearly 92,000 visitors were attracted.

Funding and Voting

The total project funding for Raudondvaris Manor and Bauska Castle Museum was €785,875.00, including ERDF funding of 85% – €667,993.75. From September 3, 2026, anyone interested will be able to vote for their favorite finalist for the REGIOSTARS People’s Choice Award. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on October 14 in Brussels during the European Week of Regions and Cities.