Lying on the west coast of Estonia lies the serene seaside resort town of Haapsalu, which has for centuries been popular for its therapeutic sea mud, warm waters of the sea and the tranquil atmosphere that surrounds the old town. Haapsalu is often known as the “Venice of the North” as there is water everywhere you look and all the narrow streets of the town that are lined with wooden houses lead onto the sea making it quite like the Italian city in appearance.
Haapsalu was chartered in 1279, as the centre of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek and remained its centre for 300 years. Some of the buildings from this era are still standing today, such as the 15th century Haapsalu Castle, which has been witness to several battles. The castle was conquered by the Swedes and the Russians and Tsar Peter even had the castle blown up in 1715 to prevent it from being a stronghold of a ruler. Legend has it that on moonlit nights the figure of a woman buried alive in the castle walls can be seen looking out of one of the dome church windows.
The network of streets in the town also date back to the medieval period and the wooden houses are a little like the colorful Nordic houses. The oldest building in the town is an old pharmacy, Vana Apteek, from 1772. The town Hall has been turned into a heritage museum. It is lovely to walk along the streets and taking in the beautiful views of the old town. The promenade along the harbor is a great place for a peaceful walk, if tranquility is what you are seeking from your holiday. In fact the whole town is a personification of peace and quiet.
Nearby Haapsalu, one can visit the limestone Episcopal castle that was built in 1248. The castle is situated at Lihula village, which in the medieval period was a prominent village with several churches and manors and two significant monasteries. Huge restoration work is under progress to restore these medieval buildings for tourism purposes. Just before arriving at Lihula, is the Kirbla village, which has the smallest church in Estonia and is also, known for the mass murders that took place during World War II.
Locals for long considered the sea mud in Haapsalu to have therapeutic properties and so in 1825, Carl Abraham Hunnius, a military doctor established the first mud treatment resort, where people could seek cure from various ailments. When the news of this spa resort spread and reached the Russian capital, Saint Petersburg, the aristocracy began to visit Haapsalu as a summer retreat. The town has since then become a well-known spa resort where tourists arrive from across the world to seek mud cure treatment for their illnesses.
During the 13th century, Haapsalu and the neighboring coastal areas were inhabited by the Swedish population who remained there until they were evacuated from Estonia in 1944. A Swedish Village Museum situated near the harbor can also be visited. Outside Haapsalu, one can visit the 8th century village of Ridala and its church from the medieval period, which is the only one left of its kind that has preserved its frescoes to this day. 10 km on the Tallinn highway, one can visit the house museum of Ants Laikmaa, an Estonian artist and also one of the establishers of Estonian national art.
Photo by Olav Sejeroe provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by Ilona* provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by Nelsson provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by J. Waters provided courtesy of Panoramio.com
Photo by Olav Sejeroe provided courtesy of Panoramio.com