Palaces, manors and town halls in Estonia

Lasila Manor

Lasila estate dates from the end of the 17th century. The current building was erected in 1862 in a romantic, neo-Gothic style. The interiors were restored in 1976. Embryologist Karl Ernst von Baer spent his early childhood at the manor house, which belonged to his paternal uncle, and a monument commemorating him stands in from of the building. Today, the manor is used as a school.
Founded: 1862 | Location: Lasila, Estonia

Mõdriku Manor

Mõdriku estate (Mödders) was first mentioned in 1470. Over the centuries, it has been the property of various Baltic German families. During the 20th century, it has been used by various schools. The building traces its oldest parts to the 17th century, but has been extensively enlarged and rebuilt both during the 1780's and 1890's. The manor was the home of several successive generations of the von Kaulbars family, ...
Founded: 18th century | Location: Mõdriku, Estonia

Ohtu Manor

Ohtu manor (Ocht) traces its origins to at least the 17th century. The manor received its current late baroque appearance, possibly the work of architect Johann Schultz, in 1769. The manor suffered from being neglected and eventually abandoned during the 20th century, but has been restored in 2002-2004. Some original details, such as the rococo carved wooden main door and a fine sculpted ashlar fireplace from 1654 (p ...
Founded: 1769 | Location: Ohtu, Estonia

Purila Manor

The original Purila Manor was first mentioned in 1513. It was built in Purila, Rapla County and was rebuilt in 1810 and again in 1930s. It was used by Estonian aristocrary, including Friedrich Gustav von Helffreichi, until the 20th century when it was used for education. After World War II it was used by the Soviet Army, including the 8th Estonian Rifle Corps from 1953 to ...
Founded: 1810 | Location: Purila, Estonia

Pirgu Manor

The history of Pirgu Mansion dates back to the 17th century. Earliest document is dated 1662 when mansion belonged to famous Estonian noble family -Ykskyll (Uexküll). Pirgu that was the wooden building back then had no substantial damages during North War (Põhjasõda), but was after this war sold to family Peez to whom it belonged over 100 years. In 1819 Sir Gideon Von Sthal brought Pirgu for 90 000 sil ...
Founded: 1820s | Location: Pirgu, Estonia

Udriku Manor

Udriku estate (Uddrich) was founded in 1642 and belonged to the Baltic German Rehbinder family until the agrarian reforms following Estonia's independence in 1919. The current, neoclassical building is from 1803, and currently houses a nursing home. Some of the original interiors such as painted ceilings and plaster decorations are still preserved.
Founded: 1803 | Location: Udriku, Estonia

Suure-Lähtru Manor

The history of the Suure-Lähtru estate dates back to the end of the 16th century. During the centuries, it has belonged to several different aristocratic families. During much of the 20th century, the manor was used as a school house. The current building was completed in 1778, and was designed by Johann Andreas Jaenichen, while most of the stucco work was done by Johann Caspar Mohr, who was province a ...
Founded: 1775 | Location: Suure-Lähtru, Estonia

Võisiku Manor

Võisiku estate (Woiseck) was first mentioned in 1558. The current building was constructed in the second half of the 18th century. A veranda was added at a later date. Timotheus Eberhard von Bock (1787-1836), about whom Jaan Kross has written one of his most well-known novels, The Czar's Madman, lived at Võisiku manor. Chess player and endgame composer Friedrich Amelung was born at Võisiku Manor in 18 ...
Founded: 18th century | Location: Põltsamaa vald, Estonia

Ääsmäe Manor

The manor in Ääsmäe traces its origins to 1574, when king John III of Sweden presented the estate as a gift to his secretary Johann Berends. The present building was built in the 1770's when the manor was under the ownership of the Baltic German family von Toll, possibly by designs made by architect Johann Schultz. It is a stylish early classicist ensemble with several preserved original details.
Founded: 1770s | Location: Ääsmäe, Estonia

Põlula Manor

Põlula manor, which has first been mentioned in 1489, has changed hands a number of times. A spacious stone annex was added to the 18th-century wooden two-storey building in the 1880s. Nowadays it is used as a schoolhouse.
Founded: 18th century | Location: Põlula, Estonia

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Château de Foix

The Château de Foix dominates the town of Foix. An important tourist site, it is known as a centre of the Cathars. Built on an older 7th-century fortification, the castle is known from 987. In 1002, it was mentioned in the will of Roger I, Count of Carcassonne, who bequeathed the fortress to his youngest child, Bernard. In effect, the family ruling over the region were installed here which allowed them to control access to the upper Ariège valley and to keep surveillance from this strategic point over the lower land, protected behind impregnable walls.

In 1034, the castle became capital of the County of Foix and played a decisive role in medieval military history. During the two following centuries, the castle was home to Counts with shining personalities who became the soul of the Occitan resistance during the crusade against the Albigensians. The county became a privileged refuge for persecuted Cathars.

The castle, often besieged (notably by Simon de Montfort in 1211 and 1212), resisted assault and was only taken once, in 1486, thanks to treachery during the war between two branches of the Foix family.

From the 14th century, the Counts of Foix spent less and less time in the uncomfortable castle, preferring the Governors' Palace. From 1479, the Counts of Foix became Kings of Navarre and the last of them, made Henri IV of France, annexed his Pyrrenean lands to France.

As seat of the Governor of the Foix region from the 15th century, the castle continued to ensure the defence of the area, notably during the Wars of Religion. Alone of all the castles in the region, it was exempted from the destruction orders of Richelieu (1632-1638).

Until the Revolution, the fortress remained a garrison. Its life was brightened with grand receptions for its governors, including the Count of Tréville, captain of musketeers under Louis XIII and Marshal Philippe Henri de Ségur, one of Louis XVI's ministers. The Round Tower, built in the 15th century, is the most recent, the two square towers having been built before the 11th century. They served as a political and civil prison for four centuries until 1862.

Since 1930, the castle has housed the collections of the Ariège départemental museum. Sections on prehistory, Gallo-Roman and mediaeval archaeology tell the history of Ariège from ancient times. Currently, the museum is rearranging exhibits to concentrate on the history of the castle site so as to recreate the life of Foix at the time of the Counts.