Worth seeing in Haapsalu and Läänemaa

In the romantic small town of Haapsalu and small villages, hospitable people await you, surprising you with their sincerity and interest in history and culture. The guests who stayed here are remembered again and again with great respect.

Church of St Prince Alexander Nevsky, 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.

Haeska Ceramics

Haeska Ceramics is located on the northern shore of Matsalu Bay. Margit Mald, a ceramist, lives and works there.
Most of her works are regular household items, burned at a high temperature of 1,260 degrees. The aim of the artist is to create simple products which turn to life when food is placed on them, creating positive emotions. Here, you will also find unique pottery, which gives you the opportunity to play with material, form, and technique.

Evald Okas Museum

The works of Evald Okas, a great figure in the Estonian art world and an honorary member of the Florence Art Academy, can be found in museum collections in Estonia and abroad. This museum has been enriching the art life of Haapsalu since 2003. The primary attraction is the constantly changing permanent exposition and exhibits in the museum gallery.

Did you know…?
*The building, constructed in the mid-19th century as a tavern, has a unique atmosphere
*You can take part in art courses and attend interesting exhibitions
*Since 1939, Okas’ works have been displayed in 50 solo exhibitions

Kullamaa Church

Of the interior of the church which dates back to the 13th century one should pay attention to the pulpit, chandeliers, organ, altar painting, H. Göseken’s epitaph and triumphal arch group.

In the churchyard you will see Estonia’s oldest wheel cross which reads Sitta Kodt Matz. According to a legend Matz had been gathering horse droppings, then fertilised the field with those and then he grew mighty rye there. He became so rich that he could get himself buried in the churchyard.

Estonia’s first professional composer Rudolf Tobias (1873-1918) is buried in the churchyard.

Nearby you will find Kullamaa Rohumägi – Estonians’ for of nearly 2000 m2 dating back to the 11th-12th centuries. Kullamaa is also the place where the oldest Estonian language signs were found.

Lyckholm Museum and Saare Manor

The Museum of Lyckholm is situated in the stables of Saare manor. It was restored in 1995 and gives you an overview of the history of Noarootsi. It focuses on Estonian first independence period between 1918 to 1940. It also displays a collection of old domestic- and farming tools, which emphasises the collaboration between Esonians, Swedes, Germans and Finns living in the area. Good to know: Have you seen fossils dated to silur period? Come and have a look!

Ungru Manor ruins

Ungru Manor is one of the most impressive neo-baroque buildings in Estonia, although the castle was never fully completed. It is an imposing building, which is an almost exact copy of the Merseburg Castle in Germany. Behind the construction of the manor was a sad love story:

Count Ungern-Sternberg fell in love with the daughter of the lord of Merseburg Castle, who had promised to spend her entire life in Merseburg Castle. The count promised to build an exact replica of the building and she agreed to move there. However, the construction stopped when the count’s lover suddenly fell ill and died.
These are mystical ruins in a beautiful place, making it a wonderful place for taking pictures!