Luunja Manor Park

Luua Manor Park is located in Vooremaa Landscape Protection Area in Jõgeva County. The main building of the Luua manor complex with its ancillary buildings and park are protected under heritage conservation. The park has been protected since 1959. Its area is 19.7 hectares.The park is extremely rich in species. It has about 150 taxa of trees and bushes; about 110 of them are alien species.The park is a home to protected bats: northern bats, Daubenton's bats, brown long-eared bats, Brandt' bats or whiskered bats, pond bats, Nathusius's pipistrelles, common noctules, common pipistrelles, and tawny owls.

The park is the city's historical representative square on the eastern shore of the Räpina artificial lake.What makes the park unique is the fact that two obelisks dedicated to the fallen soldiers stand side by side there. The new design of the park highlights the monument erected for the soldiers who fought in the Estonian War of Independence, and next to it, behind the thujas, is a memorial to the soldiers of the Soviet Army.The park is popular because it is located on the shores of the Räpina artificial lake. In addition, there are a lot of different species and an impressive poplar boulevard that leads to the city's public swimming area.

The University of Tartu Botanical Garden offers study programmes and excursions for visitors of all ages. There are more than 10,000 species and varieties of plants in the garden. In addition to natural plants, including rare protected plants, we introduce new decorative plants. In the greenhouses, rainforest and desert plants can be seen. We are the oldest botanical garden in the Baltic States, operating for more than 200 years in the same location. The garden is designed by world-renowned botanists, professors Ledebour and Bunge. Guests can visit the greenhouses with a ticket, but the garden is open for everyone for free. There is a playground for children.

The garden was founded in 2004. The size of the flower garden is 1.5 ha; 0.5 ha of this is for planting. Picturesque views of the forest, hilly landscape and the Võhandu river can be enjoyed from the plot. Special attention has been paid to plant communities that require little care, frost resistant and healthy coniferous tree varieties and deciduous trees and bushes. The garden has been designed in English style, while keeping in mind all four seasons. More than 2000 taxa are represented here.The garden can be visited upon prior agreement. The minimum size of the group is 5 people. It is also possible to order luncheons for groups.

The heart of Luke Manor is a beautiful neo-baroque park full of greenery and flowers. It has terraces on different levels, uniquely shaped trees, concrete lion statues, and a sculpture of Eve. The park also has a restored pond system, which adds a special charm. The manor was first mentioned in 1557. Today, the governor's house and the dollhouse-like Kärner's House have been restored. There is also an information point, an exhibition, and a cafe in the summer. The park is open all year round for free. Enjoy the sound of the water and the view from the pavilion of ducks swimming in the ponds. Forget about everyday life and immerse yourself in the romance of the manor era!

Families with children are particularly welcome in the Lake Pühajärv Park as there are many opportunities to feed ducks and other birds when walking on the lakeshore. There is an exercise track by the northern part of the park. This is also the place where you will find the beach with a beach house, cafés, arbours and boat hire.The park used to be a part of the Pühajärv Manor Park and it was designed as a walking forest with paths already in the 19th century. The park is mainly a naturally grown forest.

Mõniste Manor was first mentioned in 1542. The last owners of the manor were the von Wulff family, but the manor was destroyed in the Estonian War of Independence. The 14.6 ha park at Mõniste was founded in 1840 and is one of the oldest in Võru County. The Mõniste Reservoir plays an important role in the design of the park. The site of the former Manor House is now a large meadow. Spruce, oak, linden, silver birch and larch are indigenous to the park. Some of the more rare species include common spindle, Manchurian walnut and Douglas fir. A sculpture depicting bears is located near the park on the Võru-Valga highway - a reminder of the highway decorations that were in fashion during the Soviet occupation.

Luua Arboretum exhibits about 500 species and forms of trees and bushes. The arboretum was founded based on the principles of botanical geography with the departments for plants from Europe, Siberia, Central Asia, the Far East and North America.