Pürksi – Manor, Manor Park and Estonian Swedish History

The informal park at Pürksi Manor was laid out in the second half of the 19th century. The three-part manor park covers 3 hectares and is under state protection. The surviving main building of Pürksi Manor was probably constructed in several building phases during the 19th century. The restored manor house of Pürksi was ceremonially opened in December 1995.

An important cultural reference point is the Pürksi Agricultural and Folk High School. It was the first educational institution where Estonian Swedish people from otherwise fairly isolated places came together. More than 570 young people from various Estonian Swedish settlement areas acquired modern knowledge of agriculture and household management there.

The curriculum also included Standard Swedish as well as Swedish literature, music and culture. This focus makes the institution a tangible testimony to the history of Estonian Swedish education. For travel planning with a cultural focus, Pürksi therefore offers not only a historic building but also a comprehensible insight into language, education and the regional community.

The manor park has several clearly identifiable features. It contains a ring of ten lime trees whose crowns, rising more than 28 metres high, are connected to one another. A beech tree that is protected as an individual natural feature also grows there. In 2005, 32 taxa of trees and shrubs were recorded in the park.

The protection of wildlife is also part of the park’s character. The protected bat species põhja-nahkhiir and pargi-nahkhiir live in Pürksi Manor Park. Visitors therefore find a combination of a landscaped historic park, remarkable individual trees and protected species here. These specific details help classify the manor park not merely as a general green space, but as an independent part of the character of the locality.

The Österby–Riguldi section of the Baltic Coastal Hiking Route passes through Pürksi and runs along paved and gravel roads. For your route planning, it is important to note that the section therefore does not follow a natural trail throughout.

If you would like to consider other places for your trip in addition to Pürksi, you can find Elbiku, Spithami, Dirhami, Tuksi, Paslepa, Einbi and Rooslepa here.

The Noarootsi Nature Information Centre is located on the grounds of Pürksi Manor. It is housed in a building recognised as a historic monument. At the centre, visitors can learn about the region’s natural attractions and obtain information about the protected manor park.

When did the Pürksi Agricultural and Folk High School open?

In autumn 1920, the newly founded Swedish-language Pürksi Agricultural and Folk High School opened its doors in the main building of Pürksi Manor.

Where are there a shop and dining options along the Österby–Riguldi section?

There is a shop and a food service establishment along the section exclusively in the village of Pürksi.

What events does the Noarootsi Nature Information Centre organise?

The Noarootsi Nature Information Centre organises themed seminars and other events.

For the higher-level travel overview: Noarootsi.