Estonia – OST TRAVEL VITA Ltd

Hiiumaa

Hiiumaa is the second largest island of Estonia with a total area of 989 km². Within the island lies the Estonian county of Hiiumaa, which also includes several small islands. The island of Dagyo (Hiiumaa) belonged to Sweden for 1563-1721 and for a long time was an important center of Swedish culture in Estonia. By the end of the XVIII century, the population was about 2000 people. It is part of the Moonzund archipelago of the Baltic Sea. The maximum mark is 54 meters above sea level. The island is not fertile, mainly composed of limestone and anthropogenic marine sediments. The soil is gravelly and sandy. There are pine forests, and along the banks are reed beds.

Kuressaare Fortress

The Kuressaare fortress in the town of Kuressaare, in the Saar-Lääne Bishopric, was built on the site of an ancient trading port, where the most important trade routes were concentrated a thousand years ago. A small fortress built at the end of the XIII century, after a riot that lasted from 1343 to 1345, was rebuilt into a large convention-type fortress with a courtyard. It was often used as the residence of the bishop. The construction of the fortress was completed in about 1400. Kuresaare Fortress is the only fortress in Estonia that has survived to the present day. This is the best preserved fortress of Old Livonia.

Lahemaa National Park

Lahemaa National Park is a national park in Estonia on the coast of the Gulf of Finland in the southern taiga subzone. Lahemaa was founded on July 1, 1971 (this is the first national park in the USSR) to protect the unique landscapes of the coast and the development of recreation. The park area is 72.5 thousand hectares (47.4 thousand hectares of land and 25.1 thousand hectares of the sea). There are many picturesque bays, karst landscapes, areas of old agricultural buildings, Nymmeve Falls, Viru Swamp, as well as other interesting objects. Lahemaa National Park has become home to numerous species of animals and birds, as well as flowers and plants. From the presented animals, in particular, it is possible to distinguish communities of bears and lynxes. On the territory of the park are the village of captains Käsmu, the capes of Vihula, Palmse and Sagadi, the fishing village of Altja and the museum in Viinistu.

Muhu

Pädaste Manor Pädaste is a village on the Estonian island of Muhu. It is located on the southern coast of the island near the Gulf of Riga. Administratively, Pädaste is attributed to Muhu parish, Saare district. In 2000, 48 people lived in the village. The Pädaste Manor with a long history is the only five-star hotel in Estonia outside of Tallinn. Koguva village Koguva is a village on the Estonian island of Muhu. Administratively, it belongs to Mukhu parish, Saare district. Koguva is located on the western top of the island, the small island of Käynastu is located just 2 km north-west in the sea of Väinameri. In 2000, the population of Koguv was 30 people. Koguva is a small, very calm village. There are many buildings that have a century of history, starting from feudal times under Swedish rule, and are still in use today. The northern shore of Mukhu, which is said to have the cleanest water in the Baltic Sea, is located at a short distance.

Palmse Manor

Palmse Manor is located in the central part of Laahemaa Park. From 1677 to 1925, Palmse Manor belonged to the von der Palen family. The manor is considered the most beautiful of the now preserved and restored estates of Estonia. Buildings Palmse manor erected in the middle of the XVIII century. For almost two and a half centuries, the estate belonged to the family of Baltic Germans, barons von der Palen. Among the descendants of this family were both heroes and criminals. For example, Peter Ludwig, who participated in the attempt of murder of Emperor Paul I, was of this kind. In 1785 the house was rebuilt. In addition to the main building, the complex also includes a greenhouse, a distillery, and a forge. There is an apple orchard with dozens of apple varieties around the estate, a French park is laid out, a souvenir shop is located in the restored Cavalier House, there are several restaurants, a wine cellar and even a hotel with conference rooms. The house has preserved the atmosphere of past years. In addition, there is an exposition dedicated to the history of the estate and the von Palen family. In one of the rooms there is a collection of vintage clothes, which you can not only touch, but also try on.

Pärnu

Pärnu is a resort town on the coast of the Pärnu Bay in the south-western part of Estonia. The city is famous for its wooden houses of the XIX century, a sandy beach with calm waters and picturesque embankments of the river Parnu. On the coast is a beach park with fountains, paths and resort buildings in the neoclassical style. In terms of its size, it is the fourth in the republic, second in size only to Tallinn, Narva and Tartu. According to the latest census data, just over 40,000 people live here permanently. Pärnu Castle is the only medieval fortification in Estonia, which has survived to the present day. Also this historical monument is known as the “Red Tower”. Due to the favorable location near the mouth of the Pärnu River, which flows into the Gulf of Riga, this area and the castle in particular have always been interesting for northern peoples. At the end of the XIX century, the Red Tower was rebuilt, and it was decided to place the city archives there. Currently, the castle hosts guided tours, on the territory there is a souvenir shop selling handicrafts at an affordable price.

Rakvere

Rakvere is a city in northern Estonia, the administrative center of Lääne-Viru County, the sixth largest and most populated city in Estonia, located on the river Kiula. First mentioned in the XIII century, founded near the feudal castle. Rakvere Castle, or Wesenberg, was built in the 13th century by the Danes on the site of an ancient Estonian settlement. Later, the castle moved to the Livonian Order, and a city grew around it. This is a magnificent building with several towers, many halls and several gates. Rakvere was rebuilt, at the beginning of the 17th century, the fortress was significantly destroyed, a quarry was built on its ruins, and later a Swedish estate was built. Restoration of the castle began in the 20th century. The castle acquired its modern look in 1988, but restoration work is still underway. You can see the wine cellar, torture room, artisan workshops. In the Rakvere Fortress, costumed reconstructions are held and you can see objects of medieval life.

Rocca al mare

Rocca al Mare is a microdistrict in Haabersti district, Tallinn. The microdistrict is located on the coast of the Bay of Copley, its area is 0.84 square kilometers and there is only one street here - Rocca al Mare Street. Not a single resident lives in the microdistrict, since the ethnographic Estonian open-air museum occupies most of it. Rocca al Mare owes his name to one of the burgomasters of Tallinn, the wealthy merchant Arthur Gerard de Sukanton. The museum, founded on May 22, 1957, occupies 79 hectares and includes (as of 2005) 72 buildings, most of which are grouped into 11 farmsteads, united into four territorial groups: Western Estonia, Northern Estonia, Southern Estonia and the Islands. In addition to farms, the museum houses public buildings (a chapel, a village shop, a school, etc.), arranged individually or in groups.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa Saaremaa “island land” once was a name for the entire archipelago, and the island was called Kuressaare - “Stork Island”. The former name in the Russian Empire is Ezel - the largest island of Estonia and the Moonsund Archipelago. The area is 2673 km² with a population of less than 30 thousand people. Sõrve is the northern boundary of the Gulf of Riga. The fourth largest island of the Baltic Sea after the islands of Zealand, Funen and Gotland. The size of the island from north to south is about 88 kilometers, from west to east - 90 kilometers. The coast of the island is 1300 kilometers. The bishop's castle is the pride and symbol of the small town of Kuressaare on the island of Saaremaa. This is the only castle in the Baltic countries, fully preserved in its medieval form to this day. The castle, built in the XIII century, is a square structure, measuring 42 by 42.5 meters, with 40-meter guard towers and mighty bastions. Now the castle houses an exhibition of the Saarem Museum, which tells about the history of the island and the city of Kuressaare, as well as the nature of these places. Angle Mills The only windmill museum in Estonia is located on the island of Saaremaa, in the town of Angla. The museum presents five restored windmills. These are not models, but real operating mills, which are installed in the field and, if necessary, can be used for their intended purpose. The largest of the mills resembles a Dutch mill - the same height and very powerful. It has several floors. It most often hosts various events and temporary exhibitions. Kaali Kaali is a crater of Estonia, formed as a result of a meteorite falling on the island of Saaremaa. Lying 18 kilometers from Kuressaare in the line near Kaali, the meteor crater is surrounded by a 16-meter-high earthen rampart, 110 meters in diameter. In the district there are, in addition, eight more smaller craters, from 15 to 40 meters in diameter. It is assumed that a meteorite weighing from 400 to 10,000 tons entered the Earth’s atmosphere from the northeast at a speed of 15 to 45 kilometers per second, and, losing due to atmospheric friction in the mass, disintegrated into several fragments at an altitude of 5-10 km.

Sagadi

Sagadi Manor is located on the northern coast of Estonia in Laahemaa Park, 90 km from Tallinn. The history of the estate has more than 500 years. It was owned by the von Reesebiter family and the von Berg family. From 1687 to 1919, the estate was owned by von Fock. The main building of the estate was built in the style of early classicism with decorative rococo elements. The premises are furnished mainly with 19th century manor-style furniture, which was collected throughout Estonia. The children's room presents the original furniture of the Sagadi manor. At the moment, the manor is a cultural and tourist center. In 1987, a forest museum was opened here, where you can learn about trees and grasses found in Estonia, as well as birds and animals that live here. One of the attractions of the Sagadi estate is the wine cellar, where you will be offered to taste branded Viru Valge, Laua Viin, Saaremaa Viin, natural Estonian alcohol and original tinctures on birch buds, mint, garlic, wormwood, onions.

Tartu

Tartu is a city in eastern Estonia. The most beautiful Estonian city is the center of the cultural and spiritual life of the country. Despite its thousand-year history, the architecture of Tartu changed more than once, and the city itself was subjected to fires and wars, therefore the original appearance of the city has practically not survived to our days. The city is known for a prestigious university, founded in the XVII century. The main building of the University of Tartu, built in neoclassical style, is located in the historical center. Town Hall Square with coffee houses and the Kissing Students Fountain. Those who want to look at the city from a height can climb the observation deck of one of the two restored towers of the destroyed Dome Cathedral, located on the top of the Toomemägi hill.