Discover Audru: Church, Arboretum and Polder

• The present-day stone church was built in 1680 to replace an old wooden church and has survived to this day.
• The church’s altarpiece was painted by Gustav Biermann in Berlin in 1873; it depicts Christ on the cross.
• Founded in 1996, the Audru Museum is housed in two buildings of the former manor complex.
• The arboretum by the church was established by Raimond Erik Prentsel between 1970 and 1996.
• Established in 1938, the Audru Polder was Estonia’s first polder and was intended to prevent flooding.

The stone church was completed in 1680, replacing an older wooden church. It is one of the few surviving rural churches in Estonia from the 17th century. This specific building makes it possible to trace both the period in which it was built and the transition from the earlier wooden structure to the present-day stone church. The church has survived to this day.

The altarpiece also has a story of its own within the church: Gustav Biermann painted it in Berlin in 1873. It depicts Christ on the cross and was donated by the manor owner, Pilar von Pilchau. Thus, two distinct subjects complement one another when exploring the church: its construction history and the story of a single work of art and its donor.

The Audru Museum was founded in 1996 and is housed in two buildings of the former Audru manor complex. Its outdoor area displays historic agricultural tools and vehicles, including a threshing machine. These objects give the history of the place a tangible agricultural dimension: rather than just reading about past uses, you can explore tools and vehicles from that past.

Audru Manor Park is also part of the manor complex, which was laid out in the 19th century. The park is suitable for peaceful walks and picnics. The museum and the park offer different experiences: one focuses on historic tools and vehicles, while the other provides a peaceful place to spend time outdoors. Both are part of the Audru manor complex, but each has its own character.

The arboretum is located by Audru Church and was established between 1970 and 1996 by Estonian forest scientist Raimond Erik Prentsel. It is also important to note that the arboretum is defined not only by its location beside the church, but also by its trees and shrubs.

Because of the number and size of its non-native species, it is considered one of the most unique arboretums in the Baltic and Nordic countries. Its distinctiveness is therefore based on two criteria: how many non-native species it contains and how large they grow. Unlike the church, whose history is linked to its construction date and altarpiece, the arboretum draws attention to plants and the work of its founder.

The Audru Polder offers another perspective on the landscape. It was established in 1938 to prevent flooding and was Estonia’s first polder. This information describes how it came about and its purpose at the time. It adds the history of a flood-prevention measure to the subjects of the church, museum and park, without equating the polder with the cultural heritage sites.

When considering Audru in light of your interests, you can distinguish between architectural and church history, art, agricultural collections, plants and landscape history. The church offers points of connection to the 17th and 19th centuries; the museum and park lead to the former manor complex; the arboretum and polder draw attention to plants and water management, respectively. This makes clear which aspects are in focus in each place.

Discover more destinations: Lindi, Kabriste, Põldeotsa, Malda.

When was Audru Church built?

The present-day stone church was built in 1680 to replace the old wooden church and was completed that same year.

What does the church’s altarpiece depict?

It depicts Christ on the cross. Gustav Biermann painted it in Berlin in 1873; it was donated by Pilar von Pilchau.

What can you see in the outdoor area of the Audru Museum?

Historic agricultural tools and vehicles are displayed there, including a threshing machine.

What makes the arboretum distinctive?

Because of the number and size of its non-native species, it is considered one of the most unique arboretums in the Baltic and Nordic countries.

For the wider travel overview: Audru.