"Small but great" Muhu by Lodestar

Muhu island is situated in Saare county and altogether with Kesselaiu, Viirelaiu and Suurelaiu make up a commune of one's own. Muhu's area is 198 km2 (commune -205 km2), waterway between Kuivastu and Virtsu harbours is 7.3 km. Population is 2 170. Muhu and Saaremaa are connected with 3.6 km long damway (Väike Sound's dam).

First people inhabited Muhu island obviously 2 500 years B.C.. The witnesses of those ancient times are Ussimätta stone burial places in Mäla village, Päelda stronghold and Muhu country-stronghold in Linnuse.

From the times when Muhu belonged to the Order of the Brethren of the Sword and to the Livonian Order Muhu Katariina Church has survived in Liiva. It is a gothic style fort-church, built in the 13th century. As a result of faith-changing movement in the 19th century, there are lot of orthodox people on the island. Hellamaa church is an Orthodoxy church.

A better view of Muhu's rustic architecture and etnography you can get from Koguva village in which the houses are sited haphazardly and it consists of about hundred buildings. There is an operating trestle-mill in Linnuse village in Muhumaa. The only maintained building among the manor ansambles is Pädaste manor, built by the Buxhoevdens. The sight of interest is Kuivastu tavern, built in 1840.

On the northern and north-eastern coast dolomite bedrock crops out and forms a beautiful steep bank with ancient coastal barriers. The highest is 12 m high Üügu bank.

While travelling from Virtsu harbour to Kuivastu, Kesselaid will be on the right and Viirelaid on the left. Nearby from Koguva village it is possible to walk through the sea to Kõinastu islet.

You can travel to Muhu by ferry from Virtsu every day.

Muhu Island is an unspoiled treasure. Something truly special has been preserved on Muhu, characterized by its meadows, juniper forests, and isolated farms.
The dolomite cliff and caves on the northern shore, the 13th century St. Catharine's Church and the old Koguva fishing village are all worth a visit during your stay.

Places of interest on Muhu

o St. Catharine' s gothic style fort-church
o Koguva Fishing village
o 12th century Muhu stronghold
o Ancient burial site at Mäla, 2500 BC
o Üügu bank cliffs and caves
o Juniper forest
o Laasu ostrich farm