"Koluvere" Koluvere by TheaIren

Firstly named by the owners name de Lode. It was castell like stronghold built into the Liivi river bank. Moat was digged around the castle and filled with river water. Complex is built on the 14-15 century and the round cannon tower with thick walles built in 16th century.It probably belonged to de Lode's family until Livonian War , then the difficult time started. Owners were changed the way political situation was changing in Estonia.
That means that in 1560 Livonian Order sold stronghold to Denmark. In 1563 swedish wanted to conquer Koluvere for what they brought 6 cannons close to stronghold. This plan was ruined by polish people who appered at Koluvere ( they went war with swedes )and made swedes escape in a hurry that left even the cannons behind. Stronghold was beleaguerd again by swedes with Hinrich Horn leadership. They succeed and stronghold was conquerd in 1564. In 1574 russians wanted to conquer strongholds held by swedes around Estonia, Koluvere among them. But swedes were better in deffending their properties.
Because swedes did'nt had any money to pay for castle deffenders they had to sell castle to german nobles and they again sold castle to danes in 1575. 1576 castle was conquered buy russians, to whom it remained until 1581 when swedes army under Carl Hintichsen's leadership conquered castle. Swedisg Queen Kristiina gave castle as a gift to von Loewens family who turned it into chateau. It remained to family for century. 1771 von Loewens sold chateau to russian duke Grigori Orlov.

Afther his death it went to Russian Empress Katariina who baniched there Princess Augusta Carolina of Würthenberg. It is not known why exactly but one version is that she had love affair with man for whom empress Katariina herself had passion. Augusta Caroline lived in chateau for 2 years and then died in unclear reasons ( one version is that she was murdered )and was buried in Kullamaa's church in Estonia.

Such a story what really feeds fantasy ;-)

After Katariina II death went the property as a gift to Fridrich Wilhelm von Buxhoevden. There is a version that Fridrich Wilhelms wife Natalja was Katariina II by-blow. Von Buxhoevdens owned the property until 1919 when manor houses were appropriated.


The palace is in private possession since 2006.

Buxhoevdens's coat of arms

von Buxhoevdens were the last owners of the castle 18-19 century.
During 18th century castle was renovated with baroque and rococo style.
After fire in 1840 it was renovated with neoghotic style from outside and interior as well.
During 1905 rebellion castle burned down to the walls but was restored
from outside but most of the beautiful interior was gone.

Liivi river

as moat and had important deffencive role during
medieval bishops time.