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.

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.

Haapsalu Sundial

There is sundial designed by artist Roman Haavamäe on the Haapsalu seaside Promenade. The face of the dial depicts the life of man – starting with a child and ending with an old man supported by a cane. On the Promenade also admire the decorative dolomite stairways and decorative columns by the same artist, as well as the ornamented stairs on both sides of the Assembly Hall.

Interesting fact: The sundial shows the local sun time, which is about 90 minutes slower than daylight savings time. Go and check to see if your watch is correct.

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.

Noarootsi Church

Noarootsi Church in late-Gothic style was built around 1500. You will first notice the Falu red plank roof – the church is one of the three plank-roof churches in Estonia. In the medieval times the lime and rubble stone building also had the function of being a fortified church.
Inside the church one should pay attention to the baptising stone, baroque pulpit, limestone baroque epitaph to Minister Martin Winter. Interesting facts: By the entrance there is a stone slab with royal autographs from the present King of Sweden – Carl XVI Gustav who visited Noarootsi in 1992. Across the road from the church you will see the oldest wooden building in Läänemaa – the parsonage originating from the 17th century.

Haapsalu Art School Galleries

Haapsalu Art School Galleries offer diverse exhibitions of works by its pupils and other artists. There are new exhibitions every 3–4 weeks. There are three different types of galleries: the house, yard, and cellar gallery. The house gallery is open year-round, the yard gallery opens in April, and the cellar gallery can be visited from May.

Memorial to Cyrillus Kreek

Come and see this memorial to one of Estonia’s most famous composers, who grew up in Lääne County – Cyrillus Kreek (1889-1962). The memorial, which was created by Aime Kuulbusch, is located in front of the composer’s former home, on the shores of Väikese Bay.

Did you know…? The majority of Kreek’s works were created in Haapsalu. Kreek’s most important ‘secret service’ was composing sacred music and arranging sacred folk songs and choral canons, whilst publicly maintaining a standoffish attitude towards the church.