Saaremaa Things to Do

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Andrey was very impressed after attending this place. I have scepsis about this "cosmic" things. Anyway, near the place Kaali is round small lake. All informations tell that this is the place where meteorite felt.

This big rock is named after Piret, the wife of mythological hero Suur Toll. As everywhere in Estonia and Latvia almost every big rock or stone has a legend. The legend about Piretkivi you can read in www.saaremaa.ee.

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This was the centre of pagan Saaremaa before German crusaders took over the island in 1227. After heavy and merciless fighting for Muhu fortress (see my Muhu Things to do tip) German knights with their allies came to Valjala and took Valjala hill fort without a fight although Saaremaa islanders were very brave soldiers (they often made raids in lands of Baltic tribes in Latvia and to Scandinavian land overseas). Islanders converted to Christianity and agreed to be ruled by Germans. This castle mound is very different from almost all other Latvian or Estonian castle mounds - Valjala hill fort is fifed by stones all over the hill fort.

This church is built in 13th century. It is very impressive by its size and as a fortified building. Originally it was a part of a castle surrounded by walls which belonged to Livonian Order. In 1343 the settlement was besieged by Estonian rebels during St.George's Night Uprising. After 8 days of siege Germans asked the rebels to let them leave the castle. Estonians agreed, but when German knights left the castle they were killed by rebels. The rebellion in Saaremaa lasted till 1345 when it was opressed by Germans.

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In my opinion this is one of the most impressive places in Saaremaa. Of course, it can not be compared to the cliffs in Ireland or somewhere else, but in Baltic countries where we have no hills at all it really looks very good. This cliff was used as a place where people made sacrifices for better fishing. According to www.saaremaa.ee the last act of sacrifice took place as late as 1960's during Soviet times. It could be a big mistake thinking that Saarlanders really convertetd to Christianity in 1227. They made only to save their lives (in this worls not paradise). Actually they still continued to worship their pagan gods for many centuries.

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This castle of Livonian Order was built few years after Poide stronghold was destroyed. Maasilinna ruins may seem so unimpressive you could even change your mind and go immediately further without visiting the ruins, but the main attraction there is not what you can see at first look. The main attraction is cellars of castle which you can enter and wander around. Do not miss them!

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Depending on your interests this could be the highlight of your visit to Saaremaa. The biggest of them is the 8th biggest meteorite crater in the world. I have read that at least half of the Europe could seen the light of explosion and this event could be in the basis of ancient Greek myth when Phaeton crushed in his father Helios (god of the sun) chariot. I don't know if many of scientists think so, but at least there is such a hypothesis.

There are 3 first-rate SPA hotels in Kuressaare: Rüütli, Meri and Georg Ots (in order of appearance :) - all right at the seaside and beach of Kuressaare, with the view to the castle and yacht harbour.
I´ve been a visitor of all them, and I can say - a stop in a pool or sauna of any of them IS relaxing :)

See also - www.sanatoorium.ee
(below there are the buttons of different languages)