Pidula – a 1700s Noble House in Saaremaa, Estonia

Pidula is one of the oldest noble manor houses on the island of Saaremaa (Ösel in Swedish, Oesel in German). Age and tradition are reflected also in the late baroque style of main Hall, constructed probably in 1728 of local dolomite stone, which is excavated from a quarry in the village of Selgase, just a mile away. The Hall has later been expanded and modernised several times. The latest reconstruction was done in 1858. At the same time, a Steward’s House was erected, using Selgase dolomite, of course, across the yard from the Hall.

Pidula (Piddul in German) is located in the western part of Saaremaa, the second largest island of the Baltic Sea. Only the Swedish island of Gotland is larger. The distance to the centre of the municipality, Kihelkonna, is 11 kilometres, and to neighbouring Mustjala 7 kilometres. Mustjala has a new deep sea harbour at Ninase, 14 kilometres from Pidula. The harbour is due to open in April 2006.

The distance from Pidula to the city of Kuressaare (German Arensburg), the capital of Saaremaa Province, is 32 kilometres. The ferry harbour at Kuivastu – with frequent ferry connections to the Estonian mainland – is at the distance of ca. 100 kilometres.

Estonia’s art historians consider Pidula one of the most beautiful baroque manors in the entire country. The harmonious proportions of the Hall bear witness to refined taste, as do many details of the facade: the dolomite cornerstones and cornices, the stately tiled roof, the charming portico with its wooden posts, the slightly irregular windows framed with hinged shutters.

Some valuable details have survived inside the Hall. The central oven (Mantelschornstein in German), a representative of Mediaeval heating technology, is unique because it is still in working condition. The oven used to contain the so-called black kitchen (die schwartze Küche). Also two large parlours are well preserved, with layered wall ornaments, painted and painted over, dating back to several centuries. A small bedroom hides one of Pidulas treasures: a beamed ceiling decorated with red, umbra and yellow acanthus motives, created by an unknown master in the 18th century.

The value of Pidula as a noble manor ensemble is increased by the park, which is large and well-preserved. Both French baroque and English naturalist influences are visible in its architecture. There are regular shrub-lined alleys and large meadow-like lawns. The flora of the park is variable and interesting. Of its many ancient trees, the von Toll family lime with its thirteen stems – die grosse Linde – is the most imposing. The tree, which grows in one of the far corners of the park, is at least 150 years old.