The sights of Mulgimaa

The sights of Mulgimaa

1.    Heimtal Museum of Domestic Life is located in an old fieldstone village schoolhouse. Visitors have the chance to see a complete collection of national handicraft examples, old domestic appliances and the interior of a former classroom. 
2.    Heimtal horse breeding farm with its horses on the landscape offers a feast for the eyes. Horse riding trainings can be arranged on request. 
3.    Heimtal manor complex features a 19th century classicistic main building, the house of the local lord, a round stable and a cheese hall. The main building houses the Heimtal school, the round stable has been renovated into a sports building and the manor is surrounded by a scenic park.
4.    Paistu church was first mentioned in 1234. Old writings name the church Lucerna and Stella maris (Latin for beam and star of the sea) as the church is said to have been visible to Pärnu and even the sea.
5.    The wooden sculpture of a Mulgi man raising his hat has been welcoming travellers since 2008.
6.    Mulgi pottery house in Loodi village offers a unique selection of pottery and organizes pottery workshops.
7.    Loodi nature park and manor. The nature park covers an area of 3467 ha and is characterised by old glacial valleys that have been cut into the sandstone plateau of the Mid-Devon heights. The first mentions of Loodi manor date from the 16th century. The manor is being renovated into the Loodi Heritage Construction Centre of Competency. In Loodi you can participate in heritage construction workshops and camps.
8.    The garden, lace room and museum of Kaasiku farm.
9.    Metsarõõmu dining place.
10.    Kopra tourism farm is located in the heart of Mulgimaa in Tuhalaane village. The complex consists of six buildings that offer both accommodation and dining. 
11.    Murri Manor is an example of the farm culture of the first decades of independent Estonia. The manor has been restored along with the park, garden and service buildings.
12.    Õnne farm in Morna village offers luxurious accommodation, conference service and organizes tastings of grape and fruit wines. The farm dates back to 1875.
13.    The 2.4 km path of the Õisu glacial valley hiking trail runs along the edge of the valley with stunning views to the Vidva stream and sand outcrops below. 
14.    Õisu smithy maintains the interior and tools of the 19th century. They organize theme nights and offer dining on request.
15.    Õisu Manor was founded in the middle of the 16th century and is one of the most beautiful and unadulterated baroque complexes. 
16.    Halliste church is the most beautiful country church of Estonia. With the first mention dating from 1504, it was renovated in 1990. Nearby Halliste church there is a cemetery that holds graves of many prominent people. In the close reach of the church is also Annatare that hosts summer theatre performances.
17.    The historic Kulla confirmation house represents typical historicist brick architecture and has kept its historic exterior.
18.    The wooden sculpture Mulgi Man was opened in Abja-Paluoja in 2006 and is 2.6 m high.
19.    Abja-Paluoja is the capital of Mulgimaa. Abja museum was founded in 1999 and tells the story of the past and present of the borough. At Mulgi Ukuvaka you can see and buy local crafts; unique Abja bookstore takes care of your spiritual needs. Mulgi Kõrts (a tavern) has been operating for more than 100 years in an old saddler house. Abja sports and water park has the facilities where you can enjoy swimming, indoor sports and pleasures of sauna all year round.
20.    The building complex of former Abja flax factory is located in Abja-Vanamõisa. At the beginning of the 20th century, the factory was the most modern one in the entire Russian Empire.
21.    Pajumäe organic farm offers guided tours and tastings of the farm’s organic dairy products for groups on request. 
22.    Mõisaküla is an Estonian town with the smallest population. There is a wooden sculpture Mulgi Children in the town. Mõisaküla museum was founded in 1970. A single wagon and old railroad barracks from the Russian tsarist era reflect on the history of the town, which is closely linked to the development of railroad.
23.    Mellini Puhkekeskus offers opportunities for holiday and recreation all year round.
24.    The room museum of August Kitzberg. August Kitzberg (1855-1927) is the most well-known writers of Mulgimaa, having got the inspiration for his works from the region.
25.    Karksi-Nuia is located on the brink of Karksi-Halliste ancient valley. There is also the monument of August Kitzberg. The wooden sculpture Dancing Mulgi People was opened in 2010.
26.    Mulgi brewery was built into an old Mulgi farm Kiini-Hansu. Their beer is inspired by the romance of country side lifestyle and the mysticism of local folk-tales. Mulgi brewery’s beer is unpasteurized and unfiltered.
27.    The ruins of Karksi castle and the church of St. Peter. The Vogtei (the territory of a Vogt – a local lord) of Karksi is first mentioned in historical writings from 1248. The church with the unique tilted roof was completed in 1778 and is built partially on the old castle wall. The church is one of a kind in Estonia – the tip of the tower is tilted by 205 cm.
28.    Karksi Manor and village museum. Of the old buildings in the park set with ponds, only the granary, woodsman house and smithy remain together with the lord’s building with an L-shaped layout, now housing the village museum.
29.    The Polli Centre for Horticultural Research is known as a breeding centre for cotton and berries. You can buy saplings, strawberries, fruits and the juice and natural sweets of the product development kitchen. 2014 saw the opening of the Polli Centre of Competence for knowledge-based production of health and nature products. They have also conference facilities.
30.    Polli Manor and park. In addition to the pompous late-classicistic granary (1835), there are many preserved 19th century buildings: riding horse stable, meat storehouse, workers’ house, gardener building, greenhouse, the lord’s house and newly renovated dogs house. 
31.    The buildings of Lilli nature house date from 1865. It offers various programmes and camps to learn about country life and nature. You can get acquainted with domestic animals and poultry - goats, sheep, horses, geese, roosters, and hens.
32.    Teringi trail is 4.5 km long and gives a wealth of information about local flora and fauna.
33.    Nava farm has come to house open-air theatre and concerts that take place every summer. There is an open-air stage, a poetry barn and a children’s stage.
34.    The memorial for the 20th anniversary of the Baltic Way was opened in 2009. The memorial shows seven cuts in a metal wall depicting life-sized figures holding hands. Anyone can stand in the gaps and feel as a part of the Baltic Way.
35.    Taagepara Castle and park. The castle entwines elegance and rural ambience, history and the present. The Jugend-style castle was commissioned by Baron Hugo von Stryk in the beginning of the 20th century. The most notable feature is the 40m high western tower. 
36.    Kivimäe tourist farm in Taagepera village offers a variety of opportunities for active recreation, accommodation and dining.
37.    The to-be-created Mulgi visitors’ centre will be in Sooglemäe farm - an early 20th-century farm complex that was donated to the Mulgi Cultural Institute by the owners of Taagepera Castle. In the future, visitors will have an opportunity to see how wealthy Mulgi people lived and to take part in workshops and other events.
38.    Taagepera church and Mats Erdell’s chapel at Taagepera cemetery are located in Ala village. The church was built in 1674 as a Lutheran auxiliary church of St John. Taagepera cemetery houses the family chapel of Mats Erdell – the first Estonian estate owner. Nearby the chapel you will find the tomb of the relatives of Hella Wuolijoki.
39.    Riidaja Manor and Gerdruta chapel. Riidaja Manor, finished in 1762, is one of the better-preserved wooden baroque manor houses in Estonia. The church-chapel was commissioned by the lady of the manor Gerdruta von Stryk for her early-departed daughter Louise Hedvig. The church-chapel was restored by the von Stryk family and re-consecrated in 2001.
40.    Torupillitalu (Bagpipe farm) belongs to the legendary folk musician and the reviver of Estonian bagpipe - Ants Taul and his family. 
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42.    The wooden sculpture Mulgi Woman was opened in Helme in 2007 and depicts an oak female figure wearing the traditional folk costume of Helme parish.
43.    Helme Castle and caves. The first mention of the castle dates from 1265. It is likely that an ancient settlement stood at the same location even earlier. The castle, which is located in a natural cape, was destroyed in 1658 during the Russo-Swedish war. A cave system created by spring water and widened by human activity is located on a high and narrow slope north of the castle ruins. There is also a 19th century smithy in the valley.
44.    Helme museum of domestic life was opened in 1979 in a former parsonage. The display introduces farm life, housekeeping and culture.
45.    Marja farm’s holiday complex…
46.    .. and Udumäe holiday house offer accommodation and dining in Helme-Tõrva region.
47.    Tõrva is the most populous town in Mulgimaa. In the heart of the town you will find an old tavern and the town’s main square called "Mulgi kuurort”(Mulgi resort) which was open in 2017. Hotel De Tolly is situated amidst garden city. In summertime, you can enjoy concerts on the bank of the lake Veskijärv. 
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49.    Kalme mill offers fishing opportunities in summer season, as well as catering and conference service.
50.    The mausoleum of Barclay de Tolly was built in 1823 and is the final resting place of Prince Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly (1761-1818) and his wife. The chapel is called a mausoleum due to the articulation of the façade and the abundance of sculptures and ornaments. This prime example of classicistic architecture in Estonia was designed by Apollon Shchedrin. Field Marshal Barclay de Tolly is one of Estonia’s most notable historical figures and probably the greatest Russian military leader whose remains are buried in Estonia. Descended from Baltic nobility with Scottish roots, he played a significant part in the 1812-1814 campaign against Napoleon. The chapel now belongs to a museum.
51.    On Käre battlefields you can experience the history in its purest terms, imaging yourself back in the places of 1944 battles. The historic charm of the place is combined with modern leisure facilities.
52.    Greete motel is the most unique and the biggest log house in Estonia, which does not have a single square room – in a plan view, the house looks like a honeycomb. 
53.    The Koorküla cave system covers an area of at least a quarter of a hectare. 
54.    The wooden sculpture was opened in Hummuli in 2013 together with a plaque of information about Mulgimaa.
55.    Hummuli Castle and park have been created in an English Gothic style in 1860. The park is comprised of two parts that were created separately during the first and second halves of the 19th century. Järvesilma tourism farm and Rahamäe holiday house provide accommodation in the region.
56.    Pikasilla recreation area is located by the river mouth of Väike-Emajõgi. It has a boat harbour, campsites, various sports facilities, boat rental, and camping.
57.    Tondisaar is located in lake Võrtsjärv. Many legends speak of the island and there is a place for bonfires and grilling.
58.    Sailing and kale-boat trips on lake Võrtsjärv. You can also pre-order traditional fish soup and smoked fish.
59.    The early-classicistic main building of Uue-Suislepa Manor was built in 1810. The orchard has become famous due to the Suislepa variety of apple. Suislepa recreation area on the banks of Õhne river provides accommodation as well as floating sauna and boat rent. 
60.     Tarvastu St. Peter’s church (the current church was consecrated in 1893) features an authentic interior, a gleaming white marble altar and large naïve art angels whittled from wood. 
61.    The group of wooden sculptures titled Happy Mulgi Family was opened on the shore of Tarvastu reservoir in October 2013. Tarvastu craft workshop in Mustla introduces local crafts and organizes workshops on request. Nearby is Tarvastu museum that presents the history of the region. 
62.    In Lusika farm, you can enjoy a beautiful garden with ornamental plants and participate in various camps that include accommodation and dining.
63.    Kärstna Manor, Chapel Hill and the Anrep lion. Kärstna Manor belonged to the von Anrep noble family. Kärstna hill or Chapel Hill is 136 m high. On top of the hill you will find the family cemetery and chapel of von Anreps. In 1844 a cast iron lion statue was erected near the chapel as a memorial to Lieutenant-General Reinhold von Anrep who fell in the battle of Mohrungen in 1807 during the War of the Fourth Coalition. Kärstna manor offers guided tours and catering on request.
64.    Ennuksmäe forest brother bunker was in use during 1944-1945. The fully restored bunker has a main room with a 6-person deck and a stove. The punker was destroyed in 2016 and newly restored in 2017. 
65.    Murese sheep farm makes most wonderful crafts with Mulgi patterns. 
66.    Holstre-Polli health centre features trails of different lengths and complexities for skiing, hiking, orienteering and mountain biking. A 25m high watchtower offers views of the beautiful landscape.
67.    Sinialliku hiking track passes along the beautiful shore of lake Sinialliku, and leads hikers to beautiful mysterious springs.
68.    Männiku forest farm in the middle of forests by the northern border of Mulgimaa offers a wide range of recreational opportunities, accommodation and good food.