What do we usually watch in Estonia? Old Tallinn, castles and cathedrals, towers and waterfalls. The country is full of attractions. But sometimes you want to get off the hiking trail and see something unusual. To understand that this interesting country has more than just Kadriorg and Toompea Castle. Here are some amazing places that few people know about.
Springs of Saul-Siniallikad, 25 km from Tallinn
The name translates as "blue key", in fact there are three keys. And only one blue, and then with an overflow in turquoise. The second source is blue-gray, the third is black-brown. In the crystal clear water of the two springs, you can see a sandy-pebble bottom, it differs in color and gives a shade to the water of the springs. The third is a stream, its bottom is muddy, and accordingly the color of the water is dark.
The surrounding forest looks fabulous. Springs from the depths of the springs create swirling clouds under the water. Adding to the spectacle of witchcraft. It is not surprising that the springs themselves are surrounded by legends and beliefs. Water is believed to heal eye diseases. And if you throw a silver jewelry or a coin into it, you will be cured of all diseases in general.
The place is ancient. Finds in cultural layers date back to the 1st century. In the vicinity of the keys there are state-protected cult stones. And the springs themselves are considered a natural monument and cultural heritage of Estonia.
Witch's well, Tuhala
The main attraction of the small ancient town. And the only such phenomenon in all of Europe. The release of water reaches 100 liters per second, and with foam. The water seems to boil. Legends say that the witches arrange it in the steam room in the underground bath.
In ancient times, the vicinity of Tuhala was called a witch volost. Here rituals were performed, often with sacrifices, and the sick were healed.
Quietly, it is an authentic village well with a gander that blends harmoniously with the surrounding pastoral landscape. They just built it, in 1639, right above a karst cave, along the bottom of which a river flows. During floods, the volume of water in an underground river rises sharply. Then the well begins to throw out excess water - like a fountain.
However, bioenergetics still consider the well to be a place of power.
Sand caves, Piusa river valley, Võrumaa
There is a legend that for many hundreds of years the fabulous king of the Seto people sleeps in them. In fact, the caves appeared in the middle of the 20th century, as a result of the extraction of quartz sand - for the production of glass. As the development was carried out by hand, the miners created the perfect galleries, with vaulted ceilings and long high aisles. A clear layout, sandstone columns - all this gives the underground world elegance and completeness.
It's worth a visit, but only with a guide. All the same, the caves are sandy … And if you are not afraid of bats. They took a fancy to the caves immediately after the completion of the work. Today, the colony of these mammals is considered the largest in northern Europe. During the wintering period of bats, scientists come here to study them.
Kiipssaare lighthouse, Saaremaa island
Today it is considered the local Leaning Tower of Pisa. Once the lighthouse was installed at a decent distance from the water, on the shore. However, the sea was advancing, the coastline collapsed, and today the structure stands in the middle of the sea. His career as a navigational facility was over. Now the lighthouse is one of the landmarks of the island. Thanks to the Baltic Sea.
Strong storms, waves, sea currents tilted the structure, making it look like the famous falling tower. When viewed from a certain angle, fears that the lighthouse will fall seems real.
Megaphones Pyahni, Võru
The gigantic installation in the most beautiful woods quickly became popular. Its authors are design students from the art academy. Enthusiasts have created wooden cones from local larch with a diameter of 3 meters. And they placed them on a picturesque glade in the depths of the forest at a certain angle to each other - in order not only to catch sounds, but also to amplify them many times over.
Now these megaphones allow you to listen to an audiobook of Estonian nature:
- Birdsong,
- rustle of trees,
- the noise of the brook.
There were a lot of fans to listen to enchanting sounds. The advantage is the ability to hide inside megaphones from the rain. Particularly smart tourists use installations for spending the night.
The musicians also used the project, the concerts were great. It is worth seeing only because of the uniqueness of the objects. And for relaxation.
Eiffel Tower, Hiiumaa Island
A wooden structure, vaguely reminiscent of the famous tower, stands in the courtyard of its creator, Jaan Aliksoo, in the village of Reigi. Flags - French and Estonian - fly at a height of 31 meters. The structure has no practical value. However, it quickly made it to the top of the country's most unusual sights.
A recreation area was arranged around the tower: various swings were built, and a place for selling souvenirs was created. Local residents quickly christened the area "/>
Meteorite craters, Saaremaa island
Craters, there are 9 of them, are located near the village of Kaali. The place of the fall is now called the field of meteorite craters. The largest formed a lake with a diameter of 110 m and an estimated depth of more than 20 m. For centuries the place was considered sacred. According to archaeologists, ancient rituals were performed here, often with sacrifices.
Now the picturesque place is equipped with an observation deck. The meteorite impact occurred about 7,500 years ago. It is considered the youngest of such attacks on already populated areas. Therefore, the creation of a meteorite museum here has become very appropriate. The building was built of beautiful local stone, dolomite. The exposition is represented by samples collected in the vicinity of Kaali. And also sculptural works from the same dolomite.
