Tallinn – Palmse Tour with Artsantaxi
In the heart of Lahemaa National Park, just 80 km east of Tallinn (1 hour drive), lies Palmse Manor, one of the most impressive baroque manor complexes in Estonia. This place not only preserves a rich history, but also offers visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, enjoying the incredible and impressive beauty of nature.
A little history
Palmse belonged to the Cistercian Monastery of St. Michael in Tallinn for several centuries. Then, from 1676 until the beginning of the 20th century, the manor was owned by the Baltic-German von der Pahlen family. The main building was built in 1697, but after destruction during the Northern War, it had to be restored. This happened in 1730, and the main architect was Arend Dietrich von der Pahlen, who studied architecture in the Netherlands.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, the manor turned into a prosperous farm with vast lands, forests, a brick factory, a distillery and other enterprises. After the land reform of the 1920s, the manor was nationalized, and during the Soviet period it was used as a pioneer camp. In 1971, with the creation of the Lahemaa National Park, a large-scale restoration of the complex began, completed in 1986.
Architecture of Palmse
Palmse Manor is not only the main building, but also more than 20 restored buildings. Among them, the following deserve special attention.
Palm House: a greenhouse with exotic plants, birds and fish.
Distillery: a historical building where alcoholic beverages were produced. Forge: a workshop where you can see a blacksmith at work and even try your hand at this craft.
Guest houses: former houses of the manager and staff, today, by the way, you can rent a room there and feel like a real nobleman or noblewoman.
The interiors of the main building recreate the atmosphere of the 18th-19th centuries, allowing visitors to feel like part of history.
The estate park, with an area of over 210 hectares, combines elements of a French garden, an English landscape park and a forest. There are three themed trails here.
The owner's trail: leads through the main attractions of the estate.
The mistress's trail: a more picturesque route with an emphasis on the beauty of the surrounding nature.
The girl's trail: ends at a tavern where you can taste traditional dishes.
Also among the entertainment offered to tourists are boat rides on the pond, horseback riding and pony riding.
Cultural events
Palmse Manor is the center of cultural life in the region. Exhibitions on Estonian history, art and culture, concerts and performances (including those held as part of the Viru Säru festival) are regularly held here. There are also master classes and seminars for children and adults. The manor is also a popular venue for weddings, corporate events and conferences.
The manor has a tavern where you can try traditional Estonian dishes, as well as a café with a cozy atmosphere. The wine cellar offers tastings of local drinks.
Interesting facts
Peter Ludwig von der Pahlen, one of the von der Pahlen family, was born in Palmse Manor. He became famous as a participant in a conspiracy against the Russian Emperor Paul I.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, a distillery operated on the territory of the manor, the products of which were delivered to Tallinn and the surrounding taverns.
Palmse Manor was the first manor complex in Estonia to be completely restored with all of its buildings preserved.
The main building of the manor is a two-story stone building in the Baroque style with a symmetrical layout.
The first mention of Palmse Manor dates back to 1287, when the King of Denmark Eric VI Menved donated these lands to the Monastery of St. Michael in Tallinn.
Why choose the Tallinn – Palmse excursion with Artsantaxi
If you are planning a trip to Palmse and want to enjoy the route at a comfortable pace, an individual transfer with a guide from Artsantaxi will be an excellent choice. We offer not just a trip, but a full-fledged accompaniment: a professional driver who knows the roads and the features of the route well, and an experienced guide who can turn an ordinary trip into an exciting excursion.
Our guides work in ten languages, so each guest can choose the right option for themselves.
Payment is made hourly, both cash and bank cards are accepted - all drivers have terminals, so there are no difficulties with payment.
The Artsantaxi fleet includes cars designed for different numbers of people - from 1 to 15 people. These are passenger cars and comfortable minibuses that undergo regular maintenance. Inside the cabin, passengers are provided with air conditioners with climate control, drinking water and wet wipes - everything for the convenience and well-being of our clients during the trip.
Drivers always meet passengers at the specified point - this can be an airport, a railway station, a port or a specific address. We work around the clock, so you can order a transfer at any convenient time. If clients are traveling with children, car seats are provided upon request, as the safety of young passengers is our priority. Along the way, the driver can make stops at will - at gas stations or specially equipped rest areas.
Travel around Estonia easily, safely and enjoyably. Discover this beautiful country with Artsantaxi.