Alatskivi Castle


Alatskivi Castle imports the Scottish Highlands into this verdant corner of Estonia – its white turrets and stepped baronial-style roofline were inspired by Queen Victoria's favourite abode, Balmoral Castle. In the basement there's a waxworks museum; on the ground floor is an exhibition on the manor; and on the 1st floor are five rooms devoted to Estonian composer Eduard Tubin (1905–82). Outdoors are 130 hectares of publicly accessible parkland filled with oaks, ashes, maples, alders and a linden-lined lane.

There’s been a manor here for centuries, but the current neo-Gothic centrepiece dates from 1885. After nationalisation in 1919, the building was used as a school, a cavalry barracks, a state farm, council offices, a cinema and a library, but it’s now been restored to its former grandeur based on old photos provided by descendants of the original aristocratic occupants.

There's a restaurant specialising in 'Estonian, German and Scottish cuisine', and it's possible to stay in one of four guest suites (€80 per night, including breakfast).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Liiv Museum

2.26 MILES

This museum is devoted to Juhan Liiv (1864–1913), a celebrated writer, poet and nationalist figure, of sorts. Even in the likely event that you haven’t…

2. Kolkja Old Believers' Museum

5.06 MILES

Occupying a former school and commune-house, this modest little private museum in Kolkja village provides an interesting insight into the lives of the Old…

3. Raadi Manor Park

19.94 MILES

On the main road heading north out of town stands the sad remains of Raadi Manor, one-time home of the von Liphartide family. It passed to the University…

4. Estonian National Museum

20.09 MILES

This immense, low-slung, glass-clad building is arresting – both Estonians and architecture lovers purred when it opened in late 2016. The permanent…

5. Upside Down House

20.23 MILES

Looking like something from The Wizard of Oz, the Upside Down House is exactly that: a regular house tipped on its head, with everything inside – ceilings…

6. St Bartholomew's Lutheran Church

20.47 MILES

This handsome 13th-century fortress-church is one of the oldest in Tartu county. Rebuilt several times over the centuries, its most interesting feature is…

7. Palamuse Museum

20.47 MILES

This museum is spread over an 18th-century parish clerk's house and focuses on the life of rural schoolchildren in 19th-century Estonia; the schoolhouse…

8. Tartu University Botanical Gardens

21.2 MILES

Founded in 1803, these lush, mature gardens nurture 6500 species, including a large collection of palms and other exotics in the greenhouse. In summer it…