Palmse mõis

About the museum

Palmse is first mentioned in written sources in 1287, and around 1300 it was a monastery’s table manor. In 1510 the abbess of the monastery exchanged the manor for Nabala manor, and from 1522 Palmse belonged to the Metztacken family. During the Livonian War much of the buildings were destroyed.

In 1677 the manor came into the possession of the von der Pahlen family, during whose time the manor complex was built. After the Great Northern War, construction work resumed, and by the middle of the 18th century Palmse had become a Baroque ensemble with almost twenty buildings. At the end of the century distilling became the manor’s main source of income, which is why a distillery and a stall for fattening oxen were built. In terms of area, Palmse was among the larger manors at the end of the 19th century.

After the 1923 land reform the land was divided into settlement farms, and the manor centre was used by the Kaitseliit (Defence League). After the Second World War there was a pioneer camp there. From the establishment of Lahemaa National Park in 1971, work began to restore the manor, and Palmse was the first manor in Estonia to be restored together with all the buildings belonging to the manor centre. Today you can visit the manor house, the smithy and the palm house and stroll in the manor park.

Highlights

• Restored manor house with 18th- and 19th-century interiors
• 19th-century metalwork in the smithy
• Palm house
• Baroque manor complex in Lahemaa National Park
• Manor animals and a French-style park
• Palmse inn, restaurant and café

Permanent exhibitions

• Palmse härrastemaja – The manor house has an interior typical of 18th- and 19th-century manors, which gives an overview of the way of life of the Palmse gentry.
• 19. sajandi sepised – The smithy presents 19th-century forged objects and blacksmith’s work.
• Palmse palmimaja – The manor’s palm house shows the plant cultivation of the manor period.

Operated by

SA Virumaa Muuseumid

Admission & discounts

Prices apply to the summer season (1 May – 30 September); winter season prices are listed separately as tickets. The ticket price includes a visit to the manor house and the manor animals. The manor park is open to everyone.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The manor has an accessible toilet. There is no induction loop. Visitors can use an electronic guide.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

A visit to the manor animals is included in the ticket price. The manor has programmes for children and families, as well as horse and pony rides.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The manor has the Palmse inn, the restaurant “Von der Pahlen”, the café “Isabella” and a museum shop. Accommodation is offered by the Palmse guesthouse and the Viinavabriku guesthouse.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

The manor hosts seminars, weddings and birthday and anniversary events.

Plan your visit