Õisu

A manorial estate was established in Õisu in the 16th century,[1] and during the Swedish time it appears to at some point have belonged to one Jesper Kruse.[2] In 1744, during the Imperial Russian time the estate was donated by the Empress Elizabeth to the widow of Admiral Peter von Sievers. It stayed in the von Sievers family until the Estonian Declaration of Independence and the ensuing land reform when the estate was nationalised and turned into an agricultural school.[2]

The current building was built in 1760-67 and slightly altered in the 19th century. A wide granite staircase leads up to a pedimented entrance, flanked by two Italian sculptures of Justice and Prudence. A few interior details have been preserved, such as a cocklestove in Empire style, decorated with Russian eagles in brass.[2] Behind the main house, a park laid out in the English style by G. Kuphaldt descends towards Lake Õisu.[3] Several outhouses have also been preserved, and a few kilometres away lies the family burial chapel of the von Sievers family.[1]

• Lake Õisu
• Õisu Landscape Conservation Area