Saaremaa Island (Estonia): description, sights. Rest in the Baltics

The island of Saaremaa is a wonderful land, which used to be the territory of the entire Moonsund archipelago. The former name is Kupessaare, which in translation means "edge of storks". Another name that was awarded to him is Ezel.

Location:

This is the largest island education in the whole of Estonia, as well as in a territory such as the Moonsund Archipelago. The area is more than 2,6 thousand square meters. Km, and the population is slightly less than 30,000.

The Bay of Riga in the north adjoins the Sõrvesyaar Peninsula. In the Baltic Sea only Gotland, Zealand and Funen exceed the size of the island of Saaremaa. The center of administrative management here is Kuressaare. Measuring this piece of land surrounded by water, you can count 88 km between the extreme southern and northern points, and between the eastern and western - 90 km. There is a connection with Mukha, an island in the neighborhood. There is a dam on the Väike-Väin Strait, through which you can drive along an organized road. Between the ports of the towns of Kuivastu and Virtsu are moved by ferry.

Features of the place

In the capital of the island of Saaremaa - Kuressaare - there are 16 thousand inhabitants. There is a bay with a similar name on the south side. By the size of the main city follows Orissaare, which can be reached by going to the north-east. The length of the embankments is 1300 km. The peninsula goes deep into the sea for a long distance. The number of small islands reaches six hundred.

In the Gulf of Riga, at a distance of 30 km from the main land, is the Sõrve. Its end is at the southern point of the archipelago. There is a village of Syäär. A notable object is a lighthouse 52 meters high, which was built in 1960.

The island of Saaremaa (Estonia) has stony beaches. There are cliffs. For example, the height of Panga-Pank, located in a bay called Kudema, is 22 meters. Also steep can be called Undva-Pank, located on the territory of Tagamyzy, in the north-west side.

Wealth of land

The meteorite crater of Kaali is one of the attractions that attracts the attention of tourists. The landscape is mostly flat. The highest point is the hill called Raunamägi (54 m), near Kihelkonna, in its western part. In 1957 the Viidumäe nature reserve was founded here.

Also there is a large number of wooded areas (about forty percent of the territory that is occupied by the island of Saaremaa). The largest lakes here are Suur-Laht, Karujärv, and also Mullutu-Laht, near Kärla. Geologists are extremely interested in the dolomite mined in the local quarries. During the late glacial period, there was a vast ice layer that pressed on the bark of the earth. It is for this reason that today the described territory is characterized by a depression.

When the Moonsund Archipelago was exposed to melting, the surface began to rise. In a year it reaches two millimeters. Above the sea level, the island rises on average by 15 meters.

Nature

The climatic conditions here are largely due to the fact that this island is located in the east of the Baltic Sea. The weather there is mild, mild, which is typical for territories close to the sea.

Rest in the Baltic States is good because it is quite warm here in the summer. Also, the winter period is soft. Perhaps a lot of precipitation and rapid changes in the weather due to strong winds. As a rule, this happens in autumn and winter. In July and August, the average temperature varies from 16 to 20 degrees, sometimes 25. The coolest period is February, when the frost can be minus 4.

Flora and fauna

The island of Saaremaa is also characterized by a rich flora and fauna, which is promoted by the mild climate of the near-sea territories. 80 percent of the vegetation types peculiar to Estonia can be found on one of the islands. The state protects most of them.

One of the rarest types is a cellar that grows in lowlands with swamps. Varieties of orchids are represented as many as 35. There are many here and interesting animals. Seals have chosen coastal areas. Here fly the bird. Also for the birds this is a place of rest in the spring and autumn time. For the most part he was chosen by ducks and goats. Once here, you can look at the ostrich farm.

Fortress

Especially recommended to visit all lovers of tourism wonderful island of Saaremaa. Its sights are numerous and interesting. In the 13th century the castle was built of stone.

The tower of Pikk Herman became the central building of the fortress. This building functioned as an administrative center. A lot of people gathered here. During the uprisings and wars there was complete security.

In the 20 th century there was a restoration. As a result, we obtained a sample of a knight's fortress. Some researchers assumed that before the appearance of the structure of stone there was a wooden structure.

You can have a good time and relax in the city park zone of Kuressaare. In the 19th century, the process of gardening began here. It was then that this point began to gain fame in the resort area.

Purchasing tours to Estonia, people paid much more attention to the island of Saaremaa. This was due to the beginning of the work of the clinic, which used the valuable properties of local clay.

In 1861, the Park Committee was formed. In addition, for the development of this territory, many efforts were made by city residents who made donations, brought seedlings, helping with wagons and horses. In 1930, representatives of the plant world of rare species appeared here. They were pre-ordered from the University of Tartu. So the flora here was created just wonderful and varied. There are about 80 types of bushes and trees.

Architecture

Rest in the Baltics is a great way to get rid of stress and saturate your soul with vivid impressions. It is not superfluous to visit the local town hall, the beginning of which is dated 1654 year. This building was created on the initiative of Count Delagardi.

The architecture of the building is simple and strict. It can be attributed to the northern baroque. The impression from the inspection of the town hall is quite strong. A majestic detail is the portal, on which the date is 1670, as well as an inscription in Latin in the cornice. Going inside, you can see the largest in all of Estonia picture on the ceiling. Walking on the first floor, visitors enter the information center for tourists, as well as the gallery of the town hall. There is also an opportunity to look into the City Council.

Tours to Estonia are bought up quite quickly thanks to local numerous attractions. Without going too far from the town hall, you can stumble upon another interesting point - the tower, which was previously used as a fire station. It was erected in 1911, in the construction of dried hoses, beginning in 1958. Subsequently, they created a new depot near the bus station. Then the old point was leased. Now they own it on a private basis. Today you can come here to have a delicious meal in the restaurant "Pritsumaya grill and bar."

Interesting places

No less noteworthy point is the Kurzal, which was created by the project of a local pharmacist. The building was built for 8 months. It was opened in June 1989.

In the central hall of white color there was a restaurant complex, in the right wing - offices and a kitchen unit. The theater hall served as a stage for performances by Estonian artists.

Often there were troupes from Germany. This building functioned only during bathing, that is in the summer. In 1989, the building was awarded the title of the best architectural composition, created in 1988 in Estonia.

It's nice to go to the tavern called Veski, which is a windmill type mill . There are only two more similar buildings that are located in the city and still function.

Another institution is no less popular. It is located on the territory of the former mill. Previously, this place was called Trey, because it was the name of its owner and creator. This item was founded in 1899 and functioned successfully until the Second World War. In 1972, the restoration was carried out here, so that in 1974 it was possible to get to a local cafe. The state gave the mill its status as an important architectural monument. Its height is 24 m including the blades.

Curious to visit

The tower of the city of Kuressaare was built in accordance with the plan of the Swedish tycoon Count Delagardi, who was the ruler of the local lands between 1648 and 1654. In 1663, all construction work on this project was completed.

The style of construction is considered baroque. The building is carved out of stone on a step-type pediment. Ornaments are volutes. The forged weather vane on the spire dates from 1664. This place in the past served for weighing goods. In the 19th century, the postal station of the city was founded here. Since 1906, the private telephone station of the island began operating.

In addition, the described land has many more interesting sides, wishing to see which people come here from all over the world. Estonia is indeed rich in beautiful territories, one of which is Saaremaa.