The Haapsalu shawl, an extremely fine knit shawl that can be pulled through a woman’s ring, has been the symbol of Haapsalu for more than a century. Ever since then, these shawls have been highly regarded by women. The knitters of the traditional shawls are professionals and the skill is passed down from generation to generation. In the Shawl Museum, you can see a permanent exhibition on the past and present of the Haapsalu shawl, examine the extremely fine patterns, and buy one of the masterpieces for yourself. In the summer, local shawl knitters hold trainings and workshops. Haapsalu shawls have been presented as gifts to the women of the Swedish Royal Family as well as the honoured guests of the President of Estonia.

Haapsalu Castle is an architectural gem built in the 13th century, which until the end of the 17th century was the seat of power for local authorities. The museum in the main castle focuses on the history of the castle itself. You can learn about the construction of the castle, the birth of the town of Haapsalu, and the fate of the rulers and locals of the Bishopric of Ösel–Wiek. In order to better understand the life of that time, guests can try out different mechanisms. The passages on the walls offer a wonderful view of the castle and the picturesque town of Haapsalu.

The church erected in 1896–1897 on the site of the old graveyard in Haapsalu was dedicated to Alexander Nevsky. A Moscow style tent roof crowned with a small onion dome and a vestibule with a belfry were added according to the project by architect A. F. Krassovsky from St. Petersburg. The original iconostasis based on the drawings by academician Šaub is now at the orthodox church in Kiviõli, where it was transferred in 1962 after the church was closed. The church was used as a venue for funerals all year round. A stove was built in the church in the middle of the 20th century and then it was used as the winter church. At the moment the Haapsalu Mary Magdalene (Alexander Nevsky) parish of the Estonian Orthodox Church of Moscow Patriarchate uses the church.

Artist Ants Laikmaa was born in the Vigala Rural Municipality in Lääne County on 5 May 1866.  A. Laikmaa studied painting in St. Petersburg and at the Academy of Arts in Dusseldorf; his favourite technique was pastel. He mostly painted natural landscapes and portraits of Estonian intelligentsia and the farmers of West Estonia. The artist made his last home in Lääne County in the village of Kadarbik. The house was constructed according to the artist’s own drawings and it is surrounded by a gorgeous natural park. The ground floor of the home museum houses an exhibition about the life of the master. On the upper floor, you will find his studio, study and bedroom with personal belongings and ethnographic antiquities.

This museum in Haapsalu introduces the thousand-year-old settlements of the coastal Swedes in Estonia. In the house inaugurated by the King of Sweden, you can acquaint yourself with their unique cultural heritage and see a 20-metre embroidered rug that depicts the life of the Estonian Swedes. There is a scene where Swedish peasants bought Large-Pakri Island from the Padise Monastery for 34 silver marks in 1345. Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf had great words of praise for the pictorial rug! In addition, other interesting events are organised and traditional wedding feasts are held. Good to know: the museum houses several traditional wooden boats typical of coastal Swedes.