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.

Epp Maria Gallery

The creative work of Epp Maria Kokamägi, one of Estonia’s most famous artists, includes oil paintings, watercolours, book design and theatre and film design. The building, which was built as a café during Estonia’s first period of independence, now houses a gallery over two floors, where exhibitions change according to the seasons. In addition to Epp Maria’s wonderful paintings, you can also enjoy the paintings and furniture created by her husband Jaak Arro, the ceramics of Liisu Arro and the paintings of Imbi Lind.

Telise marker towers

Marker towers, which are normally found on the shore close to the waterline or within low water itself, were originally designed to ensure safe sailing and simplify navigation. The towers at Telise were constructed from local stone in 1910. The lower tower rises 7 metres above sea level; the upper tower 11.9 metres above sea level. The distance between them is 416 metres.
Did you know…? *Marker towers have fallen out of use and are no longer constructed. Those that remain in Estonia have been placed under national protection.

Ernst Enno Monument

Poet Ernst Enno came to Haapsalu in 1919, when he became a school adviser in Lääne County. His Haapsalu period was not the peak of his career, but it was here that he wrote his best children’s songs. If you are walking on the Haapsalu embankment stop by the park named for him and monument dedicated to him.

Interesting facts: Ernst Enno’s grave is in Haapsalu’s Old Cemetery, where many famous cultural figures rest under the indigenous trees. The author of the monument is Roman Haavamägi, whose is famous for his sculptures, including monuments that are located primarily in Haapsalu.

Carl Abraham Hunniuse Monument

On the Promenade make a stop at the monument to Carl Abraham Hunniuse (1797-1851), who established the resort of Haapsalu.

Dr. Hunnius was the first to notice that the local residents used the sea mud to find relief for their ailments and was inspired to start investigating the properties of the mud. At his initiative, the first therapeutic mud baths were established in Haapsalu in 1825.

Interesting fact: Haapsalu was named an Imperial resort, and Russian Tsars Nicholas I, Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II and their families all vacationed here and took the mud baths.

Come and try a Haapsalu therapeutic mud bath in the Hestia and Fra Mare Spa hotels!

Haapsalu Railway and Communications Museum

The historic wooden railway station in Haapsalu houses a museum with outdoor and indoor exhibitions about the history of Estonian railway transport and communications.

In the outdoor area, you can see Estonia’s only preserved diesel train driver’s car and the oldest preserved broad-gauge railway steam locomotive! The museum offers personal guided tours and visitor programs. The station building itself consists of four parts, including a unique 216 m long platform, which at one time was the longest in Europe!

Today, the platform is one of the most popular photo spots in Haapsalu.

Nõva Church

Olev’s Church in Nõva originating from the 18th century is a cosy wooden beach-chapel-style church. The unique parchment images on its windows look like real stained glass at first glance. It is one of the few wooden churches preserved in Estonia, and also one of the smallest, measuring at only 13.6 x 7.1 metres.

When walking around in the churchyard, take a closer look at the iron crosses there. The crosses made by local blacksmiths are all unique – even the landlady von Ungern-Sternberg of Nõva Manor made herself her own cross. Interesting facts: When inside, take a look at the benches – benches for men and women have a different design. On top of the roof, there is a figure of a rooster. The organ was built by G.Terkmann.