Most beautiful manor houses in Estonia

Estonia has more than 1000 castles and manors dating back as far as the 13th century. The heyday of manors was in the 18th century, when Baltic German nobility started to play an important role in the Russian Empire and got many privileges to the land and farmers. Many manor houses were burnt down or abandoned during the Russian Revolution, but there are still lot of estates now serving as galleries, luxurious spa hotels and gourmet restaurants.

Photo copyright Sokleine (presently in Munich)

Palmse Manor

Palmse is probably the most grandiose and well-known manor in Estonia. It was originally established by the Cistercian convent of Tallinn, but owned by von der Pahlen family over two centuries, from 1676 to 1922. The mansion is one of the few Swedish main houses and its building was started under the design stewardship of Jakob Stael von Holstein in 1679.

Sangaste Manor

The first mention of Sangaste Manor date back to the year 1522. The present main building is one of the most gorgeous manor houses in Estonia. The red-brick house, built between 1879-1883, represents the Gothic revival style with English features.

Padise Manor

Padise Manor is an 18th century historic mansion housing a boutique hotel and restaurant in the countryside of Estonia.

Sagadi Manor

Sagadi Manor had owned by the von Fock family from the year 1687 to 1922. The current main main building was completed in 1753 and enlarged in 1793. It is one of the rare Rococo-style buildings in Estonia. The manor house, annexes and the surrounding park have been restored.

Vihula Manor

Vihula Manor complex is one of the largest and most and significant in Estonia. It belonged to von Schubert family between 1810-1919. Most of the over 20 buildings date back to the 19th century. The main building was constructed in 1892 to replace the earlier one destroyed by fire. Today Vihula Manor provides luxurious accommodation in historical manor buildings.

Pädaste Manor

The written history of Pädaste Manor dates back to the year 1566. On the 25th of June of that year Fredrik II, King of Denmark handed the manor over to the von Knorr family in recognition of services rendered to the Danish Crown.

Saue Manor

The beautiful Saue Manor complex is one of the best examples of Estonian early classicistic architecture. The first known owner of Saue Manor was Remmert von Scharenberg from Westfaal, who received right of investiture from queen Margaret of Denmark.

Laupa Manor

Laupa estate was established at the beginning of the 17th century. A wooden house was built at the site in 1853-55 by the Taube family but it was burnt down by insurgents during the revolt of 1905. The current building was designed by Tallinn-based architect Jacques Rosenbaum in 1910 and completed in 1913.

Saku Manor

The Manor of Saku village was originally founded in the Middle Ages, first record date back to the year 1513. The manor house itself was constructed in 1820 and it is among the best examples of classicistic architecture in Estonia.

Kiltsi Manor

The estate was first mentioned in 1466. It has been associated with the Gilsens, von Rosens, von Zoeges, von Benckendorffs, von Krusensterns and von Uexküll-Güldenbandts.