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Founded: 1803-1806Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Finland
Historical period: The Age of Enlightenment (Finland)
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The earliest record of the Riilahti village is from the 15th century and first manor was established about one hundred years later. From the year 1725 Riilahti has been owned by the noble family Aminoff. The present manor house was built in 1803-1806 by Pehr Granstedt. It’s surrounded by the large English style park.
Sweden and Russia fought massive naval battle near Riilahti in 1714. Today there’s a monument of the battle near the manor. Riilahti provides nowadays conference facilities, horse riding and cottage rents. Guided tours are available for groups.
The Church of St Donatus name refers to Donatus of Zadar, who began construction on this church in the 9th century and ended it on the northeastern part of the Roman forum. It is the largest Pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.
The beginning of the building of the church was placed to the second half of the 8th century, and it is supposed to have been completed in the 9th century. The Zadar bishop and diplomat Donat (8th and 9th centuries) is credited with the building of the church. He led the representations of the Dalmatian cities to Constantinople and Charles the Great, which is why this church bears slight resemblance to Charlemagne's court chapels, especially the one in Aachen, and also to the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna. It belongs to the Pre-Romanesque architectural period.
The circular church, formerly domed, is 27 m high and is characterised by simplicity and technical primitivism.