"ESTONIA BRINGS TOGETHER OLD HISTORY WITH RECENT" Estonia by TheaIren

Estonia Travel Guide: 4,526 reviews and 11,426 photos

Map of Livonia from 1573 - 1598 ( historical map )

Estonia and its Baltic siblings-Latvia and Lithuania-burst on the travellers world scene almost from out of nowhere in the late 1980's.
Estonia is a rather small country, actually small enough to be covered by a day's driving in any direction.The maximum distance from east to west is about 350km ( 210 miles ) and from nort to south 250km ( 150 miles ).
The coastline of the Baltic Sea in Estonia is characterized by numerous bays, straits and islets. Estonia has over 1,500 islands, the largest being Saaremaa (2,922 sq km ) and Hiiumaa ( 989 sq km ). Estonia is rich in inland water bodies. There are over 1,400 natural and man-made lakes. The largest lake, Lake Peipsi ( 3,555 sq km )is the fourth largest lake in Europe. The deepest lake is Rõuge Suurjärv with a maximum depth of 38m. The longest river is the Pärnu winds for 144 km through the Southeast Estonian contryside.
PLEASE NOTE THAT PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION !

Ancient Estonia

Soontagana - prehistoric estonian stronghold

Estonia have mentioned in pre-historic scandinavian sagas that there has been connections between Estonia and Scandinavia in pre-Viking times (500-800).

Evidence from that time has been found in some Scandinavian jewellery and swords, but the main source is Scandinavian and Iceland folklore. In the folklore the lands east of the Baltic sea are known as Eastway, Austrvegir or Austriki.

The sagas tell about some pre-historic Swedish Kings, who met their death here, but also about the war and the fall of the fourth Swedish King Ingvar, about AD 600. "And in the next summer the great soldier Östen's son Ingvar went with his army to Estonia and they plundered around the place called Stein. But Estonians gathered a large army and began the battle. The army was big and the Swedes didn't resist for long. Ingvar fell and the soldiers fled. The King is buried on the coast at a place called Adalsysla.

The Swedes, beaten, returned to their home and "he waves sing their song for the pleasure of the resting Swedish King". Afterwards Ingvar's son Anund, sword in hand, carried off booty from the Estonian coast. In folklore he's known as "the enemy of Estonians".

One place in Estonia you can feel the pre-historic times is Soontagana. Look into my KOONGA travel page.

Intro Updated Aug 23, 2007
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Reviews (25)

Hiking in Southern Estonia Off The Beaten Path (12)

Some more bog pictures more travel advice

Hiking in Southern Estonia Off The Beaten Path (12)

Hiking continues more travel advice

Hiking in Southern Estonia Off The Beaten Path (12)

Hiking continues more travel advice

Hiking in Southern Estonia Off The Beaten Path (12)

Hiking continues more travel advice

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Viitna Kõrts ( Viitna Tavern )
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Comments (36)

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jumpingnorman Mar 10, 2009 at 2:17 AM

Wow, a Russian nunnery in Estonia...one of my best friends is a Catholic nun in Missouri, USA.
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nora_south_africa Mar 8, 2009 at 7:24 AM

hi thanx for the tips
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hunterV Feb 13, 2009 at 6:47 AM

Hello, Thea - Iren ! Thanx for your page! I would visit with pleasure...
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ozpete Nov 3, 2005 at 9:07 PM

Great info, I'm coming to Estonia for 2 or more months in May2006 and as an Australian Musician I really appreciated the music information. Thanks.
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Pawtuxet Jul 5, 2005 at 5:52 AM

Very interesting. An acquaintance has been offered a position in Estonia...and I was very curious.
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barryg23 Apr 16, 2005 at 4:00 AM

very helpful page. we're thinking of visiting Estonia this summer. Great music tips as well.
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jodssmile Dec 24, 2004 at 12:23 AM

I cannot blieve nuns live in all those colorful cute place!Looks as colorful as disneyworld resort!
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chap23 Sep 27, 2004 at 2:47 AM

Great page!
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Guantanamera Aug 12, 2004 at 1:43 AM

Great tips, but what about the REAL reason we love Estonia -- all those gorgeous Estonian girls!! ;-)
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pedersdottir Feb 10, 2004 at 7:06 PM

Ilusad pildid isamaalt.