Mõisad

Mõisad are historic estate complexes that formed the core of rural Estonia from the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. They consisted of a central manor house, service buildings, stables, and a surrounding park or woods, often complemented by fields, gardens and housing for workers. The term also describes the landed estates themselves, which were the economic and administrative units of the Baltic-German nobility who owned much of rural Estonia.

Architectural styles varied; manor houses were built in Baroque, Neoclassical and later historicist styles, frequently arranged in linear or U-shaped courtyards. Manor parks followed fashion, moving from formal Baroque layouts to English-style landscapes with groves, lakes, and ornamental plants. The estates also included agricultural outbuildings and, in some cases, manorial mills and schools.

Historically, mõisad controlled large areas and were tied to serfdom until the 19th century. After the 1919 land reform, most estates were expropriated and redistributed, and many manor houses were repurposed as schools, hospitals, or community centers. In the Soviet era, many were neglected or repurposed. Since independence, several have been restored and reused for tourism, culture, or accommodation.

Today, hundreds of manor complexes survive, though in varying condition. They remain important for Estonia's cultural heritage and landscape. Notable examples include Palmse mõis and Sagadi mõis in the Lahemaa area, and Vihula mõis, which together epitomize the architectural and historical significance of the Estonian manor tradition.