History of Ugglansryd Manor

Three manors have existed within the parish of Ryssby – Stensnäs, Borsna, and Ugglansryd. The latter was said to be among the most beautiful, situated in Sunnerbo district by the eastern shore of Lake Stensjön, and surrounded by islands.

Originally a farm that was owned by the church during the Middle Ages, Ugglansryd passed to the Crown, and in the 1550s was in the possession of King Gustav Vasa—founder of Sweden as an independent kingdom after it seceded from the Kalmar Union that had joined it with Denmark and Norway as a single monarchy. As early as 1559, the king leased the farm, first to Gunnar Galle the Elder and then to Galle’s brother Jöran Jonsson Galle, who converted it into a manor. Ugglansryd then passed to the Lilliesparre family, where it remained until 1623, coming into the ownership of Major Jöran Polman.

Ugglansryd remained in the Påhlman family for at least 175 years, a place where generations lived and thrived. In 1783, Anders Otto Påhlman constructed a sizeable corps de logis in the typical manor style, broken roof, without frontispieces. A couple of decades later, he sold the manor to Baron AJ Raab, whose family held onto Ugglansryd for a century. It was demolished in 1961, at which point Ryssby had lost one of its beautiful manor houses.

The Legend of Ugglansryd & Stensnäs

Ugglansryd is surrounded by a long peninsula and a few small islets that stretch out towards Stensnäs across the lake. An old legend tells that the peninsula and the islets are remnants of an ancient colossal bridge building, which was started by an owner of Ugglansryd to connect this with the neighboring farm Stensnäs.

According to the saga, he must have made a bet with another nobleman living in the area, who was thinking of building a church for the parish, that he would complete the bridge in as short a time as the neighbor built his church. [...] Soon, however, the bridge-builder noticed that he was falling short, for the depths of the lake devoured all the rock masses he threw out of it. With resentment he was therefore forced to cease the giant company, and a long headland and a few small islets are the still visible witnesses in the company’s range.

History of Ågården Manor

Ågården is a manor in Lidköping Municipality, Västra Götaland County, Sweden. The current main building is a well-preserved two-story Carolingian red-stained log building. This was built after an older stone house from 1492 was burned down by the Danes during the Kalmar War at the beginning of the 17th century.

Ågården has a long history, built in 1492 by Riksrädet Sigge Larson Sparre af Rossvik. It gradually came to members of the Krumme, Baät, Manesköld af Seglinge, Kafle and Kagg families. Baron Johan Kagg sold Agär-den at the beginning of the 18th century to the Wingeflycht family, and in 1746 the estate came to Major General and Governor Lorentz Christoffer Stobée, who died in 1756. His widow, Catharina Margareta Loos, remarried in 1762 to Court Marshal Axel Magnus Stiernsparre.

Stiernsparre turned Ågården into a fideikommiss to be inherited by the family. He made the proviso that if the Stiernsparre family died out, which was to be expected, the new owners would be obliged to add the name Stiernsparre to their own name. The trust passed through the Silfversparre and Påhlman families. The last owner was Axel Erik Gabriel Påhlman-Stiernsparre, who died in 1979. Thus, a branch of the family is known as Påhlman-Stiernsparre.

It is remarkable that for over 500 years of Ågården’s history, all of its nineteen owners belonged to the Swedish nobility, representing thirteen families, of which only three — Sparre, Silfversparre and Påhlman — still survive.

Lorentz Christoffer Stobée

The great era in Ågården’s history began in 1746, when Major General Lorentz Stobée took possession of the estate. Pleased with the honour he had received, Stobée began to look for a place outside the country where he could occupy himself with studies, drawing or painting, or with writing poetry in peace. He amassed a large portrait collection, hanging paintings of his own on the walls, as well as portraits of nobles, kings and important people. Part of his portrait collection and library remained there until at least the 1960s.

Stobée also had the interior of Ågården modernised, with the Baroque style giving way to Rococo. Door panels were installed in keeping with the taste of the time. Some of the rooms were wallpapered. In a small drawing room on the second floor, called the Bird Room, you can see hand-painted paper wallpaper from the period with bird motifs. Stobée lived at Ågården until his death in 1756, when the manor passed to his widow, Catharina Margareta Loos.

History of Kodila Manor

Kodila (German: Koddil) manor was first mentioned in 1436. It originally belonged to the Livonian Order and served as the country residence for the Tallinn Castle Commander. During the 16th and 17th centuries, the manor was owned by the von Nieroths. After the Northern War, it came under the ownership of the von Wrangells. In 1772, Reinhold Wilhelm von Pohlmann acquired Kodila and lived there until his death.

The current main building of the manor is believed to have been constructed in the 1770s during von Pohlmann’s time. Throughout the 19th century, Kodila changed hands multiple times, being owned by the Pohlmanns, von Tiesenhausens, von Drögemüllers, Zimmermanns, the state, and the knighthood. In 1876, the manor lost its knight’s manor status and became a semi-manor.

The baroque main building, situated on a high plinth, is a one-story stone structure with a half-pitched roof. The walls are adorned with mouldings, and there is a three-window-wide superstructure on the face of the second floor. Several outbuildings were also added to the main building. Behind the corps de logi, there is a beautiful park with a pond. Since 1999, the manor has been privately owned. Although historically located in Rapla parish in Harju County, it is currently administratively part of Rapla Parish in Rapla County.

The estates of Reinhold Wilhelm von Pohlmann

Although Reinhold Wilhelm von Pohlmann had strong ties to Kodila, he also owned a significant number of other estates — both in Estonia and Russia. Apart from inheriting Öötla manor in the Estonian parish of St. Petri from his father, he acquired the Wrangell family’s manor Sicklecht from his mother-in-law in 1752 for an inheritance of 6,700 Reichsthalers.

In the 1760s, Reinhold Wilhelm bought the striking House 14 in St. Petersburg. The house boasted six stories, a turret, and high bay windows. This strategic move likely allowed him to be closer to Tsarskoye Selo, Catherine the Great’s summer palace, in order to fulfil his various duties. In 1777, Reinhold Wilhelm acquired a house in Reval on Langstrasse for 7,000 silver roubles from District Councilor Claus Gustav.

In addition to these, in 1786 he was asked to take charge of Lohde Castle, now better known as Koluvere, which was the property of Catherine the Great. To facilitate this arrangement, Lohde was transferred to Wilhelm, who would manage the income and expenses of the estate.

History of Tuudi Manor

Tuudi manor (German: Tuttomäggi), originally established by Jacob von Lunden, serves as a court estate nestled in a village beneath the grandeur of Leal Castle. Its inception came to be through a pledge made to von Lunden by King John III of Sweden in 1582. While the main building was officially completed during the late 18th century, historical records indicate the existence of a stone main building as early as the end of the 17th century.

The main manor house, a striking two-storey structure in the Baroque architectural style, showcases elements of Early Classicism blended with Baroque features. The manor building, made from plastered limestone, boasts a high-tiled roof and two mantled chimneys. The interior layout of the rooms adheres to the symmetrical plan popular during that time. On the ground floor, one will find a vestibule and vaulted utility rooms, while the upper floor features an enfiladed living room and hall.

In 1998, Tuttomäggi was listed on the Estonian Register of Cultural Monuments as an example of a late 18th-century manor house that has preserved its original appearance and architectural form. Historically, the manor was located in Karuse Parish in Läänemaa County. The present-day administrative distribution is Lihula Municipality in Läänemaa County.

A Coveted Manor

Tuttomäggi was originally established as a farmstead by Jacob von Lunden in a village located under Leal Castle, which was granted to him by King John III of Sweden in 1582. The heirs of Jacob von Lunden had the right to transfer ownership of the manor to Jürgen Polman, a privilege that was officially confirmed in 1616.

Unfortunately, Jürgen Polman’s tenure on the property was short-lived. In 1627, either Jürgen himself or his son, Jöran, provided a report to the Royal Commission in Reval regarding the land tracts and dwellings within the estate. However, despite their efforts, Jöran Polman’s request for a new letter of ownership for Tuttomäggi, which had been eagerly sought after by his father, was denied. Tuttomäggi eventually passed to Salomon Adam, whose family still owned it at the end of the 17th century.

History of Öötla Manor

Öötla, also known as Oethel estate, has a rich history dating back to the 17th century. The estate changed hands numerous times throughout the years, starting with Jürgen Polman and remaining within the family for several generations. Notable owners include Hans von Drenteln, Hermann Adrian von Römer, and Johann Friedrich Pastelberger who bought the manor in 1750. After a short period, ownership returned to the Pohlmanns before being purchased by Nicolas Friedrich von Hagemann in 1774. His son eventually sold the manor in 1804 to Georg Friedrich von Stackelberg. The Stackelberg family went on to own Öötla for many years until it was finally transferred, with the last owner being Alexander von Stackelberg.

The corps de logis of Öötla is a two-storey Baroque main building, which was constructed in the 1760s. The front façade of the stone house showcases a small wooden veranda, adding to its character. Inside the building, there are several rococo-cut interior doors, highlighting the elegance and style of the time. In the 19th century, a slightly lower-wing building was added to the estate. Some outbuildings have been converted or remain in ruins, offering a glimpse into the estate’s past. Today, Öötla remains privately owned. Historically, the manor was located in Peetri Parish in Järvamaa County. The present-day administrative distribution is Kareda Municipality in Järvamaa County.

A gift from Gustavus Adolphus

Öötla manor was established in either 1623 or 1624 when Jürgen Polman obtained it through a grant from King Gustavus Adolphus. In 1631, a year before Gustavus Adolphus passed away, he gifted Öötla to Jürgen as a donation. Despite losing his other estates, Tuttomäggi and Piigandi, Jürgen managed to keep Öötla. After Jürgen’s death, his widow Gertrud von Bremen was allowed to keep the manor. The ownership was then transferred to Jürgen’s son, Claus Polman or Pohlmann, who is considered the founder of the von Pohlmann branch. Although Öötla changed hands between different families, the von Pohlmanns once again became the custodians of the estate when Reinhold Wilhelm von Pohlmann acquired the manor in 1752.

History of Koluvere Castle

Koluvere Castle, located in Koluvere, Lääne, in western Estonia, is a medieval castle in Estonia that dates back to the 13th century. Originally known as Lohde, the castle has a rich history and has served various purposes over the years, from a fortress to a manor house. In the 18th century, Lohde was owned by Grigory Orlov, Catherine the Great’s ex-lover and close advisor. The estate was presented to Orlov in a signing ceremony held in St. Petersburg in 1771, with Reinhold Wilhelm von Pohlmann as a witness. After Orlov's death, Catherine II acquired the estate.

In 1786, she used Lohde as a refuge for Duchess Augusta of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, seeking protection from her abusive husband. The Empress summoned von Pohlmann by imperial decree and entrusted him with the guardianship of Augusta and the keys to Lohde. To facilitate this arrangement, Lohde was transferred to von Pohlmann, who would manage the income and expenses of the estate. Tragically, the young duchess passed away at the castle under mysterious circumstances at the age of only 23.

The Winter House

The medieval house on Pikk Street (previously known as Langstrasse) in Tallinn's Old Town has a history that stretches back to the Middle Ages. Originally built as a late Gothic merchant's residence, the house features a two-story basement, which is unusual for Tallinn. The earliest notices for the property date to 1401. In 1435, the house and yard are mentioned for the first time. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the building underwent significant renovations.

Before 1829, the house's medieval facade was completely redesigned. The new exterior adopted a more modest, classicist style, with a rhythm of windows and a half-gable roof. In the 1840s and 1850s, further renovations were made to the first floor, including a simplified design for the front door.

In the mid-18th century, the property was owned by Jägermeister Reinhold Wilhelm von Pohlmann. In 1787, his house was prepared for Duchess Augusta of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, who had been staying at Lodhe with von Pohlmann for her protection. This plan was orchestrated by Catherine the Great, a strategy to distance the Duchess from her abusive husband. Fearing for her safety and unable to return to St. Petersburg, the Duchess chose to remain in Estonia, spending summers at Lodhe and winters at the Tallinn house.

In 1789, the house was sold to Joachim Friedrich von Wrangell for 7,500 roubles.

Words: Jake Peterson
Editor: Kriti Bajaj
Design: Jake Peterson