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Favorite thing: Fans of the children's books by the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren will find Haapsalu oddly familiar, and this is no coincidence. The artist who illustrated most of Lindgren's books, Ilon Wikland, lived in Haapsalu with her grandparents as a child. At the age of 14, in World War II when Estonia was occupied by the Soviets, she came to Sweden as a refugee and stayed there for the rest of her life. However, she never forgot her hometown and the houses in her drawings look like the wooden houses of Haapsalu.
Fondest memory: The house of Ilon Wikland's grandparents is still standing on the corner of Linda and Rüütli.
A building one block further, in Kooli, hosts a museum named Iloni Imedermaa (Ilon's Wonderland). In 2004 Ilon Wikland decided to donate her original drwings to the state of Estonia. The museum in Haapsalu was created and opened one year later. It contains the gallery of the illustrations and a theme park with many activities for kids, centered around the Lindgren stories.
Updated Oct 13, 2009
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Favorite thing: In the 19th century Haapsalu developed into one of the best known spa resorts in Russia.
Also the famous russian composer Tchaikovsky and several members of the Royal family have all stayed here.
The bench is located on the way to the harbour when following the peaceful Promenaad street at the shore.
Do have a walk here and sit on the bench - you might hear some classical music...perhaps!
Updated Jun 11, 2004
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Favorite thing: It is said that on a moonlight night in August one can see a lady´s figure in one of these windows of the Dome church.
The story tells that the lady who was the dean´s lover, challenged the destiny and stepped over the castle´s threshold.
The punishment was very severe - she was buried alive in the walls of the castle! And thus she appears there once in a year. Unfortunately it was July and a daytime when we visited Haapsalu, so I can't really tell if this is true...
Updated Jun 11, 2004
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Favorite thing: Episcopal Castle is a romantic place in such grey day like this. Everybody knows the legend about White Lady which appearing in the Dome Church window in August. It is the girl who was immured in the wall.
Here you can read a legend and find some useful information about the town: www.haapsalu.ee
Updated Nov 26, 2002
Favorite thing: See the old castle at the heart of Haapsalu! Every now and again they arrange a temporary outside disco/concert inside the castle-ruins. A must!
Fondest memory: The town has several very small and lovely little restaurants. A walk in the old city combined with a great dinner is all it takes in Haapsalu.
Written Aug 24, 2002
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Favorite thing: his is the old fortress, in the old center of the city.Arounded by a nice garden, it is very good for walking and resting. You can go on the tower and see all the city and the sea.If it is good weather you can also see the 2 bigger islands in front of Haapsalu Hiuuma and Vormsi.
Fondest memory: this is the old station.It is famous because here was taked the famous movie' Anna Karenina'.
Written Aug 23, 2002
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Favorite thing: You absolutely need to go in Haapsalu for see its railway staton.It is the station in which was shot the movie ‘Anna Karenina’.It’s a jewel of the northern architecture.Don’t forgot to go to the fortresse, an ancient castle in the center of the city.The fortress is hold to a romantic legend: who will see, in a day of August, the faceof a woman in its window, will have LOVE for all the year…
Fondest memory: The fondest momory of Haapsalu is the air that you can breathe there: a quiet life, nice faces made me feel in my little corner of paradise, and made me forget all the problems of a lifein wich the stress is on the face of everyone. I think that for living in a really estonian town, we absolutely need to go, even for only 1 day, in Haapsalu.
Written Aug 23, 2002
Favorite thing: For more information check the official site: CLICK HERE
Updated Jun 11, 2004
Favorite thing: Have a walk in the quiet old cemetery.
Updated Jun 11, 2004
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Favorite thing: Since the 13th century Haapsalu and it´s surroundings had been inhabited by the coastal Swedes.
There´s a special Swedish Village museum located close to the harbour.
Updated Jun 11, 2004
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6 Opinions
6 Opinions
2 Reviews and 2 Opinions This great accommodation looks from outside like just a normal but very big one-family house. It is...
Reviews and photos of Haapsalu attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Haapsalu sightseeing.
Since the 13th century Haapsalu and it´s surroundings had been inhabited by the coastal Swedes.There´s a special Swedish Village museum located close to the...
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I've got some interesting experiences in Haapsalu. I'd love to share with you the 9 tips I've written, the 62 photos uploaded, and 6 travelogues I've created.
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I've got some interesting experiences in Haapsalu. I'd love to share with you the 18 tips I've written, the 87 photos uploaded, and 5 travelogues I've created.
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A day trip to Haapsalu town is enough to see its castle from 15th century and surroundings. The castle has been the battle scene of wars and was conquered by Swedes and Russians. In 1715 the castle...
4
Haapsalu- Small Town with Great History
Haapsalu is one of the oldest towns in Estonia . It's built on a peninsula that formed from many smal islands- wherever you go you would reach the sea. That's why sometimes it's called Nordic Venice....
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This was the last stop on our short trip around Estonia. We had two nights here, what a great place. I guess we were lucky with the weather, around 25C but there was lots to see even if the sun was......
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