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Founded: 1790Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Estonia
Historical period: Part of the Russian Empire (Estonia)
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The manor was first mentioned in 1323 as Alba Curia. It was constructed as a vassal castle in the Middle Ages. In the 1620s-1630s, it was rebuilt as a Renaissance palace, and slightly altered in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 20th century, the estate belonged to the Soviet military forces, and the main building remained in ruins after a fire in 1993. In 2000-2002, the ruins were looted (the side portals were stolen, and rear wall broken along with the lion mascaron of the main portal, among other things).
Reference: Estonian Manors
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.