Spectacular 504 years old manor estate complex in northern Latvia awaiting its renaissance!

Nestled in the serene countryside of northern Latvia, this historic estate offers a rare opportunity to revive a grand manor complex dating back to 1520. 

The property features a magnificent 150-year-old park with oak, ash, larch, white spruce, pine, birch, maple, linden and aspen trees. Whether you're seeking a peaceful retreat from city life or a unique setting for a life milestone, Virkeni Manor -set on a hill and surrounded by forests- promises tranquility and timeless charm. 

The estate comprises 27.01 hectares (270,100 m²) of land and includes six historic buildings: 

• The Lord’s House (built in 1895) – 1,275 m² 
• The Servants’ House (built in 1860) – 462 m² 
• The Smithy (built in 1860) – 115 m² 
• Outbuilding (built in 1883) – 419 m²
• Large Cattle Barn (built in 1860) – 999 m²
• The Brewhouse (built in 1860) – 252 m²

The History of Virkeni Manor

• Former names: Wirken, Wirkken, Würken, Würkenhoff
• Founded: 1520

16th Century

In 1520, Wolter von Plettenberg, Master of the Livonian Order, granted several land parcels to Kuddelen, who merged them into a manor estate.

The von Dönhoff family, a prominent Baltic German noble family, later acquired the estate. Gerard von Dönhoff was Governor of Tartu in 1598. His son Caspar, a diplomat and confidant of Polish King Sigismund III Vasa, also served as governor of Tartu (in present-day Estonia) and Sieradz (in today’s Poland). Another son, Ernst Magnus von Dönhoff, was castellan of Pärnu and Tartu.

17th Century

In 1690, the estate was confiscated by order of Swedish King Charles XI but was soon restored to its owners.

During the Swedish rule of Livonia (1629–1721), the manor came into the possession of the Engelhardt family. Michael von Engelhardt, a cavalry lieutenant in the Swedish army and nobleman of Vidzeme, received the manor as a gift from King Gustavus Adolphus II in recognition of his service.

18th Century

Throughout the 18th century, the Engelhardt family retained and successfully managed the estate.

19th Century

From 1820, the manor was administered by artillery lieutenant and court assessor Anton Johan II von Engelhardt (1788–1874) and his wife Sophie Magdalena Helene von Numers (1787–1848).

Their son, Baron Karl Gustav Georg von Engelhardt (1811–1887), inherited the manor and married Eveline Katherine von Engelhardt (1826–1853). In 1820, the estate was home to 324 residents; by 1860, 249 residents were recorded.

Between 1859 and 1861, Jēkabs Zvaigznīte (1833–1867), a figure in the Neo-Latvian movement, worked as a tutor to Karl and Hermann von Engelhardt. During his tenure, he collaborated with Juris Alunāns and published "Sēta, Daba, Pasaule" (The Farmstead, Nature and the World) in 1860. In 1862, he joined the editorial team of Pēterburgas Avīze (The Petersburg Newspaper).

Karl Anton von Engelhardt began building a new manor house in the early 1890s, while his brother Hermann studied art in Germany and later became a noted painter.

Karl Anton, the last owner of the estate, had ties to Russian Emperor Alexander II. From 1895, he lived abroad in Germany and Austria, leasing the estate to his godson, Gustav Berkmann (1860–1931), for 300 rubles per year. Between 1895 and 1910, Berkmann sublet the manor’s second floor to Count Treimanis from St. Petersburg.

20th Century

In 1920, the Latvian government nationalized the 704-hectare estate and incorporated it into the State Land Bank.

On March 19, 1921, the manor center was allocated to the Rūjiena Agricultural Association for the founding of the Rūjiena Agricultural School, later known as the Rūjiena School of Agriculture and Home Economics.

In 1936, following the dissolution of the Agricultural Association, the property was transferred to the Chamber of Agriculture.

From 1955 onward, the manor served various educational purposes, including:

• Rūjiena Technical School No. 4 (1955–1963)
• Rūjiena City Vocational Technical School No. 10 (1963–1973)
• Rūjiena Technical School No. 5 (1973–1984)
• The 68th Vocational Technical High School (1984–1988)
• Virkeni Agricultural School (1988–1999)
• Rūjiena Vocational Gymnasium (1999–2006)
   

Since 2006, the property has been privately owned.

No Heritage Restrictions - Up to 85% Public Funding Possible
The manor is not listed as a historical monument, which allows for renovation and construction work without the usual bureaucratic restrictions or approval processes. At the same time, the region offers excellent access to funding: up to 85% of the investment costs can be covered through EU and other development programs, thanks to the estate’s advantageous location and regional development status.