Risti railway station was the place from where most of the deportees from Läänemaa – almost 3000 people – were deported to Siberia. The monument designed by Viljar Ansko “The railway rails remember…” has been placed on a small freight platform with stone stairs on both sides. Four rails reach for the sky from the four corners of the platform. The rails are joined into a cross with two horizontal bars just before the top. At night the monument is illuminated diagonally by four spotlights installed inside the railway platform. The height of the monument is almost 13 metres. Besides commemorating the mass deportations in recent history, the cross also symbolises the history of the small railway town Risti.

For most of the year the Gulf Tagalaht in Haapsalu is an exciting place for birdwatching. There is no need to leave town, simply visit the 15-metre high birdwatching tower on the Promenade. When visiting the tower you will get a full overview of birdlife in the area between Haapsalu and Noarootsi. When the ice breaks in April and May, the gulf is filled with swans and different types of ducks. In autumn – in September and October – it is interesting to witness the departure of geese and cranes.

Driving on the highway through Taebla you will see Lääne-Nigula Church. The building was restored in 1816, the steeple dates back to 1882. The height of the church is 52.2 metres of which the spire is 26.7 metres.
There is an old cemetery around the church. You will find the old crosses and headstones in the cemetery interesting. The present interior design of the church dates back to the 19th century. The magnificent Empire style altar wall was made by master Sigismund from St Petersburg. Interesting facts: The altar paintings “Last Supper” and “Resurrection” are copies of Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings.

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.

There is an orienteering trail and 20 mobile orienteering check points within 3 kilometres of the Palivere Tourist and Sports Centre.
Orienteering is suitable for everyone who likes to navigate in the wild with a map and test their skills. A rocky landscape and dense trails make navigating with a compass and map exciting. Do you go straight or around? Do you go by bike or on foot? Do you go alone or with friends?
The price includes a map, a compass, and instructions.
Read more about mobile orienteering here.

The American Beauty Summer Meet is the little brother of its big sister, the American Beauty Car Show. This gathering brings together American car enthusiasts and will take place on July 12-13 in a unique setting – the Haapsalu Castle Courtyard and Kiltsi Airport.

On Saturday, July 10, the Haapsalu Castle Courtyard will be filled with iconic American cars, and visitors can listen to great music.

On Sunday, July 12, the fun will continue with a procession of American cars through Haapsalu. The day ends with a drag race at Kiltsi Airport.

We think of nostalgia as the past. We do not give priority to waving communist flags or to political preferences. Those days are simply gone. When most people think of the past, they think of their first schoolday, their first love, first car, and many other of their firsts.

Nostalgia Days in Haapsalu are special because the events take place in the entire city during three days. The main day has always been Saturday when a parade of old vehicles takes place, followed by an exhibition, a concert, and a fair.

Summers in Haapsalu last longer!

The Nõva Recreation Area and Nature Reserve on the lowland of West-Estonia was established to protect the coastal landscapes and plant communities. It covers vast bog plains, forest massifs, and sand beaches. The lakes around Peraküla village are surrounded by 5-metre high coastal dunes. White water lilies and the great fen-sedge grow on the lakes. The coastal area enchants beachgoers and surfers. The forests and bogs are full of berries and mushrooms. There is an information point, camping spots, and places for making bonfires in the recreation area.

The Nõva Visitor Centre provides information about the area’s sights and advice on choosing the hiking routes.

The wine party began with the idea of introducing Haapsalu’s twin town Greve, located in the Chianti region of Italy. Wine is offered by the majority of Estonian importers as well as by their Italian partners. The wine party begins on Friday in Haapsalu’s cafés with Italian wine tastings. On Saturday, a wine contest will be held in Haapsalu’s Old Town, which will reveal the favorite Italian red wine, white wine, and Prosecco of Haapsalu.

Lake Prästvike, located in the central part of Vormsi Island, is a former sea lagoon, which has been taken over by reed to a large extent, but has retained its importance as a spawning and nursery area for fish in the coastal sea. The birdlife of the lake is abundant and diverse – on a quiet spring evening, you can hear the song of the bittern.
The largest spring among the numerous springs in the northern part of the lake is the Suurallikas Spring. The 1.7 km hiking trail leads to Lake Prästvike and the observation tower on the north shore. At the edge of the forest, there is the unique Raviallikas Spring. It is surrounded by calcareous spring meadows with different species of Orchidaceae.

Café Dietrich has an impressive history; the creators of the new Hapsal Dietrich café are two families whose passion and hobbies include cooking, enjoying food, love for little cafés and respect for the history and old architecture of Haapsalu, as well as for furniture from the First Republic. Therefore, the café features decorative elements from the First Republic era, and we have tried to decorate it as it might have looked a century ago.
For more information, please visit our homepage at www.dietrich.ee/en/.

Welcome!

Welcome to the private and luxurious Villa Dirhami.

We are located at the most Noth-Western tip of Continental Estonia, 1.2 km from the Dirhami port. We are less than a 1.5-hour car ride away from Tallinn.

The Villa stands next to the sea in a pine forest. There are excellent conditions for swimming and sunbathing on the seashore. The beach is solitary to delight holidaymakers that enjoy privacy. The closest neighbours are 1.2 km away from the Villa.

On Cape Põõsaspea, about 1 km from the Villa, there is a bird watching tower. It is the best-known bird watching site in Estonia, for the most migratory birds pass it through.