Norra manor’s main building returns to life after decades

Norra manor’s main building in Järva County, regarded as one of the area’s grandest manor houses, has been brought back to life after standing empty for nearly half a century, ERR reported. About two-thirds of the building has now been restored.

Nearly 100 people visited the manor during an open house day on Saturday.

The restoration has been led for three years by Tartu entrepreneur and trainer Rein Lemberpuu. When he and his partners bought the manor, only the walls were standing, he said. The building had no windows, doors, floors, electricity or water, while the park had apparently gone unmaintained for about 100 years.

“We have completed 70 percent of the main building, at least on the first two floors,” Lemberpuu said. A building permit is also in place to add a third floor.

Because Norra manor stood in ruins for years, its ornate wall paintings eventually collapsed. The current owner received the building as a concrete shell.

Two years ago, the National Heritage Board made an exceptional decision to remove Norra manor from the register of built heritage monuments, giving the restorers greater freedom. Open house events are now held on Saturdays.

Some visitors arrived with personal memories of the building from the time when it housed a local school, or from the later period when it was left without a roof. Helle, a visitor from Põltsamaa, recalled that the rooms were so cold that people gathered by the large stove for warmth, while rats and mice caused fear among those inside.

Imbi, a visitor from Tallinn, said she had once regarded the manor as an abandoned and ruined place and had never believed it could be restored. Seeing the building now left her “completely speechless”, she said.

The next plans include restoring the steward’s house and the lake house, followed eventually by the carriage house. The manor’s unique canal system will also be renovated.

Norra manor has nearly two kilometres of canals built about 250 years ago, Lemberpuu said. Restoring them will be a major project to undertake in the coming years.