9 Historic Sites in Parnu County That You Shouldn't Miss

The beautifully renovated Tostamaa Manor has a colourful history and it is one of the best known sights in the area. Even though it has a late classicist appearance, the manor was established in the Middle Ages. It has been used as a school since 1921. You can go on a tour of the manor where you will learn about its history and see its rooms. The wall and ceiling murals, the beautiful main staircase and the room under the mantle chimney are particularly impressive. Useful information!The last owner of the manor was Alexander Stael von Holstein, a famous Orientalist who even became a professor at the University of Beijing. The crown of the manor, which is under heritage and nature conservation, is an oak with a top whose diameter is 23 m.

In 2007 a actual prison in Parnu was closed. Now it's reopened as the biggest escape rooms complex in Scandinavia. Are you capable to escape from an actual prison?

Oidermaa Manor was established in 1658 and in the 18th and 19th centuries, it became famous because of the number of times it changed hands: it has belonged to the von Lilienfelds, von Helmersens, von Uexkulls, von Maydells, von Rosens von Schillings and von Wetter-Rosenthals. It was owned by the latter when it was nationalised in 1919. The one-storey stone mansion of the manor is in late classicist style and it was built in 1839 when the manor was owned by the von Lilienthals, who managed to own it for longer than anyone else – 114 years.The manor is currently in private ownership and nicely done up. The manor offers accommodation and bike rental. Hikes into the ancient Mihkli Parish are also organised.

People who visit the Citizen’s House can learn about the history and people of Parnu. Visitors can view exhibitions of the history of local government, the most important historical persons associated with Parnu, exhibitions of Hanseatic and twin towns. The heads of the city often hold receptions for the city’s most respectable guests and delegations in this house and they also use it for discussions of cooperation and important meetings.The house itself is the oldest wooden building with beams and a high gable roof in the medieval territory of Parnu that has survived all fires and wars.

A medieval tower in the old city centre. An exhibition of historical arms and armour will be shown in the tower in summer 2018.

The old Parnu smithy in the Vallikaar is one of the oldest 18th century buildings in the city. Fully renovated in 2010, it is the perfect place to find out more about what blacksmiths do, and you can even try it yourself. Blacksmith Gunnar Vares does commissioned work and also provides training.

Voltveti Manor was first mentioned in 1563. The late-classicist mansion of the manor was built in 1830. It has a porch with four Tuscan columns and a wide staircase.Voltveti Forest School started working in the building in 1925 and it is currently used by the Tihemetsa study place of the Parnu County Vocational Education Centre. A third storey and an annex were built for the house. It has significantly reduced the elegance of the building, but the mansion that used to be one of the most impressive ones in Parnu County in its day is still worth a look.The manor is surrounded by a park with 150 different species of trees, including several rare ones.

Soontagana Stronghold, which is located on an island in Avaste swamp and was established in the 7th to 8th centuries, is one of the best known strongholds of the ancient people living in this region. It is a stronghold with a circular earthwork 50 x 100 m in size, which was 6-7 metres higher than the rest of the island. A very secret underwater path through the swamp led to the stronghold and only those in the know were able to get there. The place succumbed to the crusading knights with the last christenings in 1226. Today, the stronghold is surrounded by beautiful landscapes – meadows, old farms and stone fences. You can go for a nice walk and enjoy the views, make a fire and stay in the hiking hut.