Ohtu Manor – A Baroque Masterpiece Near Tallinn
There are places that are easy to arrive at, yet remarkably difficult to leave. Just thirty minutes from the heart of Tallinn lies Ohtu Manor, one of Estonia’s most beautiful baroque estates, set on 4,55 hectares of private land. Often referred to as a “mini Kadriorg Palace,” this architectural gem in Keila parish offers a rare blend of intimacy and grandeur. The scenic drive through fields and forests prepares you for something exceptional – a place where history, aesthetics and atmosphere converge in timeless harmony.
At first glance, Ohtu Manor may appear understated, yet with time its layered character unfolds. Numerous preserved details tell stories spanning from the 17th century to the present day. Among its most extraordinary features are rare historic tiled stoves and a carved limestone fireplace dating back to 1654 – the oldest known surviving carved fireplace in Estonia. Such elements make Ohtu Manor truly irreplaceable.
TIMELESS ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORY
In true baroque fashion, the entire manor heart is designed symmetrically. At its centre stands the high half-hipped roof main building, fronted by an oval driveway square. It is framed by a granary and a pseudo-Gothic stable-carriage house, while avenues and parkland continue the same architectural rhythm. The result is a rare manor ensemble that is both intimate and representative.
The earliest records of Ohtu Manor date back to the first half of the 17th century. In the 1760s, Christoph Heinrich von Kursell acquired the estate and began developing it into a grand baroque residence. The façade is characterised by pilasters and a triangular pediment, while the high hipped roof and small-paned windows reinforce its period authenticity. Particularly noteworthy is the restored textured plaster, produced according to the original historical composition, incorporating shimmering glass fragments that give the façade a subtle brilliance.
THE MAIN BUILDING
Completed in 1769, the baroque main residence was originally two storeys, with a new renovation project envisioning a three-storey layout. The total area of the building is 912,7 m², of which 240 m² has already been restored to habitable condition.
The first floor comprises 334,3 m², the second floor 378,4 m² and the attic level 200 m², including plans for two 35 m² cavalier rooms. The main building is registered as a cultural monument under registry number 2778, and renovation projects along with architectural heritage conditions are in place.
STABLE-CARRIAGE HOUSE AND GRANARY
The pseudo-Gothic stable-carriage house is unique within Estonian manor architecture. Originally constructed as a limestone structure with a high hipped roof, it was partially rebuilt in 1888, adding a neo-Gothic decorative gable with tall pointed-arch windows. The building’s total area is 538,2 m² and it is protected as a cultural monument under registry number 2781.
The granary, which mirrors the stable-carriage house in form and proportion, offers 394,6 m² of space and is likewise protected under registry number 2782. Renovation projects are available for both buildings.
THE STABLE AND PARK
The former manor stable, currently used as a summer theatre venue, offers 800 m² of space on a 6 775 m² plot. In addition, the foundation of the former distillery complex remains within the estate, presenting further development potential.
Surrounding the manor heart is a 3,8-hectare park, originally designed as a formal park. The oval driveway square, tree-lined avenues, pond, flower parterre, herb garden and landscaped access road create a harmonious composition. A small orchard enclosed by a limestone wall behind the former granary adds further charm.
RECOGNITION AND POTENTIAL
In 2003, the Estonian National Heritage Board awarded Ohtu Manor the title of Best Restored Heritage Façade of the Year. In 2016, the Estonian Manor Association recognised Ohtu Manor as the Best Cultural Manor.
For more than ten seasons, the estate has successfully hosted summer theatre productions and concerts, many of them sold out, demonstrating both its logistical suitability and unique appeal. Its proximity to Tallinn combined with complete privacy creates ideal conditions for a representative private residence, boutique hotel or high-end event venue.
Ohtu Manor offers a rare opportunity to revive one of Estonia’s most distinctive baroque estates and to write a new chapter in its distinguished history.
Further information regarding plans and projects is available by email or telephone. Arrange a private viewing and discover whether this is the beginning of your next great chapter.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Let’s schedule a viewing and explore your new home!
Lii Salusaar
lii.salusaar@luxum.ee
+372 5344 0956
LUXUM Real Estate
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