Kuusiku: Manor History and Agricultural Park

Kuusiku brings together manor history, agriculture, garden culture and equestrian sports. The area offers several distinct themes for a trip: the protected manor park, the historic manor house and the Kuusiku Agricultural Park with its various garden areas. If you would like to combine cultural history with rural life, you will find specific points of interest here. When looking for a holiday apartment, it may help to first consider whether manor history, plants and agricultural education, or riding lessons best match your travel interests.

The Manor Park: Protected Site and Heritage Monument

Kuusiku Manor Park is designated as a protected park and covers 18.8 hectares of land and 0.7 hectares of inland water. It is also listed as an immovable cultural monument under registration number 15330. These two details describe different aspects of protection for the same park: its status as a protected park and its status as a heritage monument. The park’s ponds and channels are becoming overgrown; there is no designated swimming area, as the river and reservoir need to be cleaned and maintained.

The Manor House and Agricultural History

The main building of Kuusiku Manor was built in the 18th century as the manor house of the estate complex and is an immovable heritage monument. In 1924, a state agricultural experiment station was established there. These two dates connect the architectural history of the manor house with the history of agricultural research. Kuusiku can therefore be understood not only through its historic buildings, but also through the area’s agricultural themes.

An Agricultural Park with Several Perspectives

Founded in 2004, Kuusiku Agricultural Park is unique in Estonia and covers five hectares. Its areas include a collection garden for field crops, a vegetable and ornamental plant garden, an orchard and berry garden, and demonstration plots. The collection and demonstration areas offer a different focus from the gardens for vegetables, ornamental plants, fruit and berries.

The park promotes and raises awareness of rural life and the history of agriculture. It also covers environmental measures in modern agriculture, as well as agricultural science and education. This brings the agricultural past and present together: the range extends from the history of rural life to current environmental measures and scientific education. For travellers interested in plants, cultivation and rural development, the agricultural park is a distinct focus alongside the manor’s history.

Horse Riding and Recreational Aviation

Kuusiku Stables offer riding lessons for beginners and advanced riders. Horse keeping at the stables began in 1997. This allows two aspects to be distinguished: the history of horse keeping and riding lessons for people with different levels of experience. If riding is one of your interests, this is a specific point to consider when planning your trip.

Further afield from Kuusiku is the Rapla grass airfield in the village of Iira, in Raplamaa. It is located a few kilometres from Rapla in the direction of Märjamaa and was historically also known locally as Kuusiku Airfield. The airfield is Estonia’s largest centre for recreational aviation. Activities there include skydiving, gliding, powered flying, paragliding and powered paragliding, as well as model aircraft flying. The historical nickname explains the connection with Kuusiku; Iira is the relevant location when it comes to the airfield’s position.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Kõrbja, Saunaküla, Märjamaa, Käru, Rappel, Kastna.

Return to the main travel overview: Rapla.