Lohu: Manor History, Park and Jaanilinn

The history of Lohu opens up two very different perspectives on time: Lohu Manor was founded around 1620, while Lohu Jaanilinn originated at the end of prehistory. The manor includes a protected architectural ensemble with the main building and a protected park in the villages of Loone and Lohu. At Jaanilinn, a natural hill and its relationship to the Keila River shape the historical context. This gives you both architectural and manor history, alongside a much older fortified site, to consider when planning your trip.

Lohu Manor: Building History and Architecture

Lohu Manor was founded around 1620 beside a mill. Its main building is part of the manor’s protected architectural ensemble. The building’s orientation is unusual: its rear façade faces the road. This detail adds an architectural distinction to the context of its founding date and protected status, giving the manor complex a specific architectural focal point.

The main building was completed by 1791. In the hall, Gottlieb Welté painted murals covering an area of 27.6 m². The building’s history thus encompasses both its completion and a specific aspect of the hall’s decoration. If you are interested in historic architecture, the manor offers not only the orientation of the house but also the connection between architecture and mural painting as topics to explore.

Protected Landscape and Lohu Jaanilinn

The manor’s protected park is located in the villages of Loone and Lohu. This setting broadens the focus from the main building alone to a park associated with two villages. This distinction can help you choose what to explore on your trip: the main building is part of the protected ensemble, while the park offers a wider landscape setting.

Lohu Jaanilinn is also known as Loone linnamägi and Loone linnus; these variants can be helpful if you encounter different names for the same hillfort. The site was built on a natural hill at the end of prehistory; the Keila River protected it on three sides. The hill and river together shape the hillfort’s topographic setting. In terms of chronology, Jaanilinn dates much further back than Lohu Manor, whose founding around 1620 and main building completed by 1791 belong to a later period.

Visitor Information

A new bridge and an information board were completed at Lohu Jaanilinn in 2022. There is also a picnic area there today. The year 2022 refers to the bridge and board; the picnic area is one of the current visitor facilities. These practical visitor details complement the historical and topographic context. As visitor facilities can change, briefly check the latest information before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Kohila, Urge.

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