Olustvere Manor

Olustvere is among the most complete manor ensembles in Estonia, an art nouveau influenced main house of 1899 built for the von Fersen family, with the whole working estate surviving around it: stables, granary, distillery, dairy, smithy, ice cellar, workers' housing and a large English park with ponds and a hundred and fifty tree species. What distinguishes it from the other restored manors is use: the outbuildings hold working craft workshops where glass, ceramics, textiles, chocolate, blacksmithing and brewing are practised and taught, with products sold on site, so the estate operates rather than being only displayed. The main house holds interiors and exhibitions.

What to look for

• The main house - the 1899 manor and its interiors.
• Craft workshops - glass, ceramics, smithing and textiles at work.
• The estate buildings - the full complement of outbuildings around the yard.
• The park - the English landscape park and its tree collection.

When to go

May to September when the workshops and park are at their fullest; winter hours are reduced but the main house stays open. Craft fairs and courses run through the year. Weekdays are quieter.

Practical notes

Workshop activity depends on the day and not all are running at once. Separate charges apply to different parts. The main house interiors are partly restored rather than original. Winter opening is limited.

Nearby

Viljandi lies south; Suure-Jaani is west.

Key facts