After the almost entire destruction of rural and urban buildings in the Nordic War, Baroque ornamentation in stucco and fresco were initially used only for representative rooms in the 18th century. Later on, the interior was decorated in the classicist style.
The "hall" and adjoining rooms formed the centre of the manor house in the Baltic States. Seating groups were lined up against the walls, the "enfilade", the passage from room to room along an axis, was an invitation to saunter around and celebrate lavish parties.
In the Biedermeier period from 1830 onwards, carpets, curtains and simpler forms of furniture changed the atmosphere of many houses in the Baltic States. Walls were painted in one colour with borders or striped French wallpaper. In the later 19th century, as in Great Britain and Germany, historical styles were imitated and rooms were richly furnished.
Ancestor galleries were also a characteristic feature of Baltic manor houses and served to assure the self-confidence of the German upper class.
Illustrations:
1.) Enfilade in Alatskivi mansion.
Estonian Historical Museum
2.) Knight’s hall of Alatskivi mansion with ancestor gallery.
Estonian Historical Museum