An equally unexpected architectural
monument, Alatskivi Castle, can be seen 8km south of Kallaste. The original
owner, Arved von Nolcken, produced his own design, following a long visit to
Britain in 1875. He engaged Russian bricklayers and builders from Latvia; only the
carpenters were local Estonians. Even the tiles for the stoves were brought from
Riga. He took as his model for the gables and towers the royal palace at Balmoral,
in Scotland, which in turn was based on 16th-century Scottish castles. The tall
entrance hall with fireplaces, extending upwards through two floors, is presumably
based on a Robert Adam design. The drive was originally lined with lime trees,
which added an English, rather than a Scottish, element. The building was
completed in 1885 but was only used as a serious residence until von Nolcken's
death in 1909. His son used it as a hunting lodge, and then during the first
independence period it was first a school and then a border-guard station. The
Soviets ran a collective farm from it. Only in 2003 did serious reconstruction
begin; by 2005 a secure roof had been completed so it was possible to start having
exhibitions and concerts. There are future plans for an Eduard Tubin museum to
commemorate the composer who was born near here in 1905. Two of his pianos
are already in the castle. A conference centre is also being planned.Neil Taylor "Estonia. The Bradt Travel Guide", 2007 |
