Events - Visit Haapsalu

Things are happening in 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.

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

Karja tn 24, Haapsalu linn, Haapsalu linn, Lääne maakond

St John’s Lutheran Church in Haapsalu

St. John’s Church in Haapsalu, a town church rebuilt from a granary, first mentioned in writing in 1513, is a Lutheran church which has been active without interruption since 1524. In the church there is a stone altar wall, created by Joachim Winter in 1630. The stone altar is rare in the whole Northern Europe. Its central motif, a high relief depicting ‘Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane’ is also unusual. The tombstone of the first known pastor, Joachim Jacobi (1581-1587), lies on the ground in front of the altar. The wooden pulpit with baroque-style wooden carvings dates back to 1707. Two bells, the older of which is from 1590, toll in the church tower.

Kooli tn 4, Haapsalu linn, Haapsalu linn, Lääne maakond

Swedish Market

Haapsalu’s main street, Karja, begins at the Swedish Market. The name of the street (“herd”) originates from the time when animals belonging to the citizens of the town were led out to pasture down this road. As late as the beginning of the 20th century, the Swedish Market was an empty square where the fish market was held. Many plots of land in the area belonged at that time to Estonian Swedes (or Coastal Swedish) families. In the 1930s, a small park with the town well was built here. To decorate the square, the sculpture “Boy With A Fish” was commissioned from the sculptor Juhan Raudsepp (erected in 1936).

Good to know: The fountain side is still a nice and romantic place to sit. During the summertime festivals such as August Blues and the White Lady Festival the Swedish Market is transformed into a small open air stage.

Karja tänav, Haapsalu linn, Haapsalu linn, Lääne maakond

Ridala Church

Ridala Church is one of the most valuable churches in Läänemaa from the artistic point of view. It has been dedicated to Mary Magdalene whose figure in the church is one of the oldest sculptured figures in Estonia.
This archaic sanctuary lacks a belfry. Be sure to take a look at the medieval paintings. The altar, the triumphal arch group and pulpit are also remarkable. In the churchyard the most valuable things are the trapezoid gravestones dating back to the 13th century with sun cross and arbour vitae motifs. The two massive stone crosses near the main entrance of the church are very old. Interesting facts: According to a folk tale the church was built by a giant maiden as a dwelling house.

Ridala kirik, Kolila küla, Haapsalu linn, Lääne maakond

Saxby Lighthouse

Saxby lighthouse has a 27-metre-high beacon that controls the entrance to the Väinameri Sea archipelago and is an important aspect in the Vormsi island’s culture. The tower, built in 1864, is the oldest lighthouse assembled from cast-iron using the Gordon system. The tower was built at the same time as the Kihnu and Virtsu lighthouses and looks similar to them, which is why a legend from Kihnu island tells a story about the construction of lighthouses. It’s said that there are only three of lighthouses in the world: one on Kihnu island, the second on Vormsi island, and the third one at the bottom of the sea, which is said to have disappeared on a sea lane at an unknown location.
The lighthouse is open and offers a beautiful view of the Vormsi island’s Northwestern coast.

Vormsi tulepaak 596, Saxby küla, Vormsi vald, Lääne maakond

St Olav’s Church in Vormsi

Vormsi church which dates back to the 14th century and is the main memento of its history and culture – is located in the centre of the island, in Hullo. The church was unused for a long time after the Swedish escaped from the island in the end of World War II. The church was dedicated again on Olav’s Day in 1990.
Be sure to take a look at the characteristic square-shaped nave and have look at the old ceiling paintings in the altar room. Interesting facts: The first church in Vormsi was a wooden church. * St. Olav’s church in Vormsi is unique for the fact that it has no belfry, the bell hangs above the door under the high ridge. * There are two gnarled pine trees at the gate of the church – this is the place where the pillory stood.

Kiriku/1, Hullo küla, Vormsi vald, Lääne maakond