Travel Routes in ValgamaaGENUINE SOUTH-ESTONIA

Valgamaa the Southern Gate of Estonia

Valgamaa (Valga County) is one of the youngest and smallest counties of Estonia. The landscape is picturesque and variable. Land around Sangaste and Helme is flat, around Otep and in Karula moraine hillocks are frequent; the countryside is rich in big forests, beautiful lakes, and winding rivers. The rich historical and cultural heritage and the beautiful natural sights of Valgamaa have also given rise to abounding folk tradition.

Tietoa Valgan maakunnastaArea 2046 km2 Population 36 000Population density 17.6 people per km2

There are 11 parishes and three towns in Valgamaa: Trva, Otep, and Valga, the County centre.

www.valgamaa.ee

Valga County GovernmentKesk 12, Valga 68203+ 372 766 6100info@valgamv.ee

Valga One Town, Two States

Valga was given the rights of town by Polish King Stefan Batory on June 11, 1584. The County centre Valga and the Latvian town Valka are twins, separated by the Estonian/Latvian border. The border was marked by an international jury headed by British Colonel Stephen Tallents in 1920. The distance from Valga to Tallinn is 250 km and from Valka to Riga 155 km.

Valga (Estonia) Valka (Latvia)Area: 16,5 km2 14,4 km2

Population: 14 750 6 700

Valga Tourist Information CentreKesk 11, Valga 68203+372 766 1699valga@visitestonia.comwww.visitestonia.com

1. St. Johns Church2. Memorial plaque 3. Townhall4. Chapel5. Memorial plaque to Stefan Batory6. The building of the German Bank7. Valga Cultural Centre8. Central Library9. Valga Museum10. Memorial to Alfred Neuland

11. Cathedral of the Apostolic Orthodox Isidor Church

12. Valga railway station13. Memorial locomotive14. Chatolic Church of the Holy Spirit15. Memorial to the dead of War of

Independence16. Memorial site of the Russian and

German prison camp17. Pedeli recreation area

1. St Johns ChurchThe St Johns Church, designed by Ch. Haberlandt, an architect from Riga, and completed in 1816 is the only church with an oval ground plan in Estonia. Its rare organ of exceptionally good sound has been built by an organ building master Fr. Ladegast in Weissenfels near Leipzig. The organ was completed in July 1867. Since summer 1997 the churchs bells peal daily at mid-day and midnight.

2. Memorial plaque to the Sons of the NorthThis memorial has been set up to commemorate the Finnish voluntaries who were killed in the Estonian War of Independence on the wall of the St Johns Church on February, 1934, on the 15th anniversary of the war. The Soviet occupation powers had the plaque beaten to pieces in 1940. The plaque was restored on January 31, 1999, the 80th anniversary of the victorious Paju battle of the War of Independence.

3. TownhallThe Valga Townhall was completed in 1865. This onefloor building with high halfhip roof is one of the most notable examples of the historicist wood architecture in Estonia. On the wall of the entrance hall is a memo-rial plaque to Johannes Mrtson the first mayor of local origin in Estonia (19021917).

4. ChapelThe first stone building in Valga built in the 18th cen-tury, after the Great Northern War. It is the oldest build-ing in the town.

5. Memorial plaque to Stefan BatoryPolish king Stefan Batory gave Valga the right of a town on June 11. The memorial by the alley of Kesk Street was completed in 2002 as a joint project of the town of Valga and the Embassies of Hungary and Poland.

6. The building of the German Bank The author of the project, combining neoclassicist features with art noveau details is Wilhelm Roessler, an architect from Riga. The building was at first designed as a bank. The building of the German Lending and Depository Bank was completed in 1912.The central part of the front is of extremely plastic design with its Ionian coupled pillars, neoclassicist triangle gable and the oval window in it in an orna-mented frame. In 1919 in this building the Headquarters of the Third Estonian Infantry Regimen and the Third Division were located as well as the headquarters of the American Red Cross. In 1940-1991 the building was at the dis-posal of the Soviet Army. Today the Valgamaa County Government work in the house.

Kesk 12

7. Valga Cultural Centre The Valga Cultural Centre was completed in 1967 according to the first afterstalinist standard clubhouse project. In 2001.the renovation work of the building was finished, in the course of which the house was in most part reconstructed. The cultural centre got a modern theatre and concert hall, exhibition galleries with con-temporary equipment, rooms was hobby centres, a caf, and a public internet room.Kesk 1

8. Central Library of ValgaThe house was designed and built by Karl Schmid in 1902 upon the order of Kaagjrve manor bailiff Zencker. The building has housed different institutions in dif-ferent times: a girls school, the crime police office, the officers casino of the Valga garrison. The building has housed the headquarters of the German military force, orphans home, militia headquarters, pioneers house, and childrens hobby school. In1996 the house was ren-ovated and given at the disposal of the town library.

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9. Valga MuseumThe museum is housed in the former Sde club, com-pleted in 1911 according to the project of G. Hellat. This is the biggest clubhouse in Estonia from the beginning of the 20th century. As a capital construction with an art noveau treatment of the front, the building is important in the Estonina architectural heritage. It was renovated in 1999. The museums permanent exhibi-tion demonstrates the natural history of Valga town and its roundabouts, their history and cultural history through pictures describing milieu. The exposition is complemented by waxwork and itinerant exhibitions.

Vabaduse 8+372 766 8867www.valgamuuseum.ee

10. Memorial to Alfred NeulandWeight lifter A. Neuland (10.10.1895 16.11.1996) is the first Estonian Olympic champion. From the 1920 Antwerp Olympic Games A. Neuland returned with a gold medal. He was also successful at the Olympic Games of Paris where he won the silver medal.

11. Cathedral of the Apostolic Orthodox Isidor ChurchThis church in historicist style, ground plan imitating the Latin cross and belltower of five cupolas was built in 18971898 according to the project of architect V. J. Lunski.

12. Valga railway stationValga railway station was by the end of the 19th cen-tury an important transit centre attracting both mer-chants and businessmen. During the 1890s the main redbrick historicist station building, the manoeu-vring depot and the workshops were built. Nearly 500 employees worked at the workshops before World War I. The present towered station building was completed in 1949 according to the plans of architect V. Tsipulin. From the passenger bridge above the branching rails opens a view of the surrounding industrial land-scape.

Jaama pst. 10

13. Memorial locomotiveThis memorial set up in 1998 commemorates the 110th anniversary of the PskovValgaRiga railway connec-tion. The locomotive, SU 251-98, has been built in 1949 at the Sormovo Factory.

14. Catholic Church of the Holy SpiritThe church was completed in 1907 and was without a tower at first, as the Czarist government did not give a permission to build a tower. The building of the church took place upon the initiative of prelate Affanasowicz and mainly the Lithuanian and Polish railwayworkers participated in the construction work. The services are now held in the rooms of an extension completed in 1995.

Maleva 8http://kodu.neti.ee/%7Ebw003a/valga.htm

15. Memorial to the dead of the War of Inde-pendence at the Priimetsa Cemetery More than 300 dead of the War of Independence have been buried on the grounds of the Priimetsa Cemetery. On October 11, 1925 the War Minister of the time Jaan Soots opened the memorial. The memorial was hidden by the people during the Soviet occupation and was reopened on November 27,1988.

16. Memorial site of the Russian and German prison camp at PriimetsaThe prison camp Stalag No. 351 was built in late autumn of 1941. Nearly 30,000 dead have been buried under the firs of Priimetsa to whom this monument called Mourning has been erected. The author is one of the best known Estonian sculptors Anton Starkopf.Camp No. 187 started receiving prisoners in November 1944. Nearly 300 prisoners have been buried on the grounds of the Priimetsa cemetery.

17. Pedeli recreation areaArtificial lakes with beaches on their shores have been dug on the River of Pedeli flowing through the twin towns of Valga and Valka, there are also 2 hiking paths suitable for recreational action and playgrounds for children.

ROUTES OF THE PEDELI TRAINING AREA

Route to see the town avifaunaThe route runs on the shores of the northern artificial lake. The distance is 1 km and it takes about 20-40 minutes to pass it. With the help of information boards the traveller can watch and learn about the most common bird species of Estonian towns in the areas of apartment blocks and small houses as well as in parks and wastelands.

Study trail It takes about an hour to pass the 1.5 km study trail, running along the pavements on the shores of the artificial lake. There are four tourist attractions along the trail: the Pedeli ferrytrip to see waterlife, the sundial, trees for climbing to demonstrate the variety of the Estonian landscape, and a 1m profile explai-ning how soil is formed.

Routes

ValgaTrvaTaagepera

1. Jaanikese Holiday Centre2. Hummuli manor and the

battlefield of the Great Northen War

3. Valgjrv at Koorkla village4. Koorkla caves

5. Barclay de Tolly Mausoleum6. The ruins of Helme church7. Helme Local History Museum8. Ruins of the Helme order

castle9. Helme caves

10. Taagepera castle and park11. Taagepera Church12. Mats Erdells Chapel13. Riidaja manor house,

Gerdruta chapel14. Bagpipe far

1. Jaanikese Holiday CentreThe centre is located 2 km from Valga in the beautiful Jaanikese valley. On this best motorracing track in Europe activities take place all year round at the ATV safaris as well as playing orienteering and adventure games.

Jaanikese village+372 766 8745; www.jaanikese.ee

2. Hummuli manor and the battlefield of the Great Northern WarThe Hummuli region has first been mentioned in the cadastral act dividing land between the Bishop of Tartu and the local Order in 1226. The first data about the manor are from 1470. The present mansion was built in the 1860s.In 1914 the Sangaste Count Friedrich von Berg bought the manor for his younger son. Since 1930 the building houses a school. Yhe Great Northern War took the name of Hummuli into great history for the first time. On the fields of the Hum-muli Manor, on July 29,1702 a bloody battle between the 18, 000-men Russian and the 7000-men Swedish armies was held. The Swedes got beaten and were made to retreat. In 2002, a memorial stone was placed in front of the Hummuli manorhouse to commemorate the battle.

3. Valgjrv at Koorkla villageThe pearl of the idyllic landscape around Koorkla rich in lakes is Valgjrv a forest lake with very transpar-ent light green water and high steep shores. From the shallow place in the middle of the lake the remains of a 13001400 years old unique lake dwelling have been found. It has apparently been the fortified dwelling place of the ancient community leader living sepa-rately from the rest of the people. The Estonian folklore connects Valgjrv and Udsu Lake 200 at the metre distance with a legend about the manor and the church being swallowed by the earth during the wedding of brother and sister.

4. Koorkla cavesThe caves cover an area of about a quarter of a hectare and are located in the Burtniek layer of the MidDevon-ish sandstone. The spot of the cave area is marked on the surface with small craters of irregular shape with small entrances to the underground tunnels.

5. Barclay de Tolly MausoleumMichael Andreas Barclay de Tolly (17611818) was a Russian army leader of Scottish descent and from a Baltic aristocratic family who played an important role in the battles of 18121814 against Napoelon. Barclay de Tollys name is connected to Jgeveste since his marriage in 1791 to Helene Auguste Eleanore von Smitten. Through his wife, the army leader became the owner of the Jgeveste Manor.M. A. Barclay de Tolly was the first General Governor of Finland annexed by Russia, the War Minister of Russia, the CommanderinChief of the Third Russian Army and later the RussianPrussian Army.The famous Russian army leader died in East Prussia near Insterburg. His remains were brought to Jgeveste and buried here; according to the legend, his heart was buried at the place of his death.The mausoleum was in 1823 built by Count Barclay de Tollys widow. This building od neoclassicist style has been designed by one of the best known Russian archi-tects of the day Apollon Shchedrin, the author of the tombstone is sculptor Vassilyi Demut-Malinoski. The sarcophagi of Barclay de Tolly and his wife have been preserved till today in their original shape.

Jgeveste village+372 538 35 718www.torva.ee

6. The ruins of the Helme churchThe precise time of construction of the church is unknown but it took place approximately during the 13th15th centuries. Architecturally it is a typical South Estonian church with two naves. The buildings length from the outside is 41 m and the width 20 m, the height of the tower is 46 m. There were 800 places in the church and it could house more than 2,000 listeners.During the September battles of 1944 the church was hit by a long distance shell. The building was seriously damaged and stands in ruins since.

7. Helme Local History MuseumThe museum is located in the former pastorate built in the 19th century. Among the exhibits there are tool used for cultivating land, documents about the cultural life in the HelmeTrva region, schoolbooks and school certificates.

Kirikukla, Helme parish+372 528 2264

8. Ruins of the Helme order castleThe order castle is located on a small natural cape separated from mainland by two moats. The remains of the wall and the ground plan date the building into the first half of the 14th century.The castle fell into ruin during the RussianSwedish war in 1658 when the Swedish troops destroyed it. By now only the walls with high window openings have been preserved. Judging by the remains it has been ascer-tained that the ground plan of the main castle was an elongated oval of 120x60 m placed in the northsouth direction. The oldest and most interesting part of the castle remains is apparently the towerlike formation in the central part of the castle.In the valley below the order castle there is a sacrificial spring: according to a legend its water can cure seven ailments.

9. Helme cavesThe caves are located on the high and narrow slope of a ridge toward the north from the ruins of the order castle.The main attraction are two halls, first with the diam-eter of 3.56 m and height of 3.5 m and another with a diameter of 5.5 m with the height allowing to stand freely. The Helme caves have been dug by human hands as a hiding place and presumably even before the ancient battles for freedom.

www.torva.ee

10. Taagepera castle and parkThis castle built in 19071912 according to the design of architect Otto Wildau, represents the art noveau archaicromantic style, partly hinting at the influ-ence of Finnish architecture. The castle belonged to its owner Hugo von Stryk until its transference to the independent Estonian Republic in 1919. The park of free design surrounding the castle is one of the largest in southern Estonia and very rich in species. The castle has now been rebuilt and houses a hotel.

Taagepera village, Helme parish+372 766 6390www.taageperaloss.ee

11. Taagepera ChurchA small stone church with a wooden tower built upon the initiative of the manor owing family of von Stackel-berg in 1674.

12. Mats Erdells chapelMats Erdell was an Estonian peasant whose descend-ant Hans Erdell bought himself the Roobe Manor in 1868. This was one of the first purchases of the kind on the territory of Livonia. In the Taagepera cemetery there is Mats Erdells family burial chapel. The text on a stone plaque in the chapel says: Here rests peacefully of his earthly toil and care the owner of the Snni farm, the owner of the Roobe Manor and the tenant of the Patkla Manor MATZ ERDELL born in the Erdo farm of the Pgle parish during the sermon of the first day of Christs resurrection holidays in 1792 and died in the Patkla Manor on December 2, 1847.

http://www.torva.ee

13. Riidaja manor house, Gerdruta chapelThe Riidaja manor house completed in 1762 is now one of the best preserved Baroque wooden manor houses in Estonia. Half a kilometre towards east from the manor house the von Stryk family burial ground is located with a redbrick chapel in neogothic style built in the second half of the 19th century. The chapel that for some time was in ruins was restored upon the initiative of the Stryk family and celebrated in 2001 as a church.

14. Bagpipe farmThere is a Bagpipe farm at Riidaja where bagpipe music can be listened and making a bagpipe learnt.

+372 527 8149www.torupillitalu.ee

ROUTES AND BICYCLE PATHS IN THE HELME PARISH

Total length 110 km, provided with signs and a map.

The hiking trails and bicycle paths in the parish of Helme offer an opportunity to enjoy motion and variable landscape and get acquainted with the histo-rical heritage of the roundabouts. A visitor can choose among 13 routes of different lengths beginning with a distance of 3 km till a route of 27 km. The paths run along the local roads, they have been supplied with signs marking the bicycle paths information boards in Estonian and English. There are tourist information offices both in Taagepera and Trva. There are 9 sheltered resting sites along the paths where one can rest and have a picnic. Tndre, Holdre ja Taagepera holiday areas have are also supplied with campfire grounds. In addition to the information boards, it is also pos-sible to get information in Estonian, English, and Fin-nish from the Tnumber of the mobile phone.

Routes

TrvaTrva, a garden town and summer resort is located at the crossing roads to Valga, Tartu, and Prnu and is the heart of the parish of Helme. There are two natural lakes near the town with beaches on the lakeshore the Riiska and Vanamisa Lakes. Through the town flows a river called hne.

Area: 4,8 km2

Population: 3300

Trva Tourist InformationValga 1, Trva 68605Estonia+372 766 3300info@torva.eewww.torva.ee

1. Inn2. Church and

chamber hall3. hne river4. Tantsumgi

(Dancing Hill)5. Memorial

of the War of Independence

6. Vanamisa lake7. Riiska lake8. Tikste primeval

valley

1. InnThe first house of Trva was an inn at the crossroads of Viljandi, Tartu, and Valga. First information about the building dates from 1834. Initially the inn was wooden; after 1890 it was destroyed in a fire and restored as a stone building. After World War II the inn was for years used as a country store. In 1998-1999 the inn was reno-vated. Now the house is considered the symbol of the town of Trva and its most beautiful building.

Valga mnt 1

2. Church and chamber hallA memorable concert can be enjoyed in the church/chamber hall of Trva. It is well known among the Estonians as a place where annual nature festivals take place comprising several exhibitions and concert series. The church was initially built as the HelmeTrva Orthodox Apostolic Church of Christs Nativity (built in 1903-1904). During the fierce September battles of the World War II in 1944 the church was strongly damaged. The congregation did not have money for restoring the church and so it stood in ruin for years. As the town did not have a good concert hall, it was decided to restore the church as a chamber hall in 1987. The work lasted for three years; at Christmas of 1990 the festive reopen-ing of the hall took place.

Valga mnt.44a

3. hne riverThe town of Trva is cut by a river called hne. The total length of the river is 91 km, a 3.5 km length of the river flows through Trva. The river has received its name from a word in Estonian ahne (greedy) as according to the local belief in old times many people had drowned in the river. In the 19th century inhabitants of Trva used the hne River for swimming and bathing. One of the favourite places for bathing was near the present

arched bridge. The better people, however, used the socalled White beach for bathing. Here the riverbank resembles a dune. Many beautiful natural sights open from the riverbanks, the most notable of them being the hne primeval valley at the Koorkla Manor. At Holdre, Koorkla, and Trva the river has been used to make artificial lakes for watermills. The hne River is also suitable for canoe trips.

4. Tantsumgi (Dancing Hill)Tantsumgi is located on the southern border of the town, on the left bank of the hne River. In the19th century within this area was the Patkla manor park with beautiful bridges, stairs and a dancing square, which has given the place its name. The place is still suitable for comfortable walking tours in summer or skiing trips in winter. On the open stage concerts and theatre performances take place in summer.

5. Memorial of the War of IndependenceThe memorial was erected in 1928 to memorize the war heroes of the Helme parish. The monument was destroyed in 1940 by the occupation authorities. On June 23,l 1990 the memorial was reopened at the Trva High School.

6. Vanamisa lakeVanamisa Lake is located by the Tartu road. The lake is the favourite bathing spot of the Trva people. The water is clear and becomes warm in summer; the depth of the lake is 10.5 m and the area 2 ha. The lake has a beautiful sandy beach, a 10 m diving tower and several squares for call games. In summer the lifeguard service also works on the beach.

7. Riiska lakeRiiska Lake is located by the Valga road. The lake has shallow shores, sandy bottom and several springs in it. Its depth is 12.2 m the area 5ha. There are a beach and squares for ball games on the shores of the Riiska Lake and in summers the beach is guarded.

8. Tikste primeval valleyTikste primeval Valley on the western border of Trva is a natural wonder. The width of the valley flat is 150200 metres. The flat begins near the former Helme rectory and cuts the wider valley flat of the hne River. The slopes are covered by dense fir, nut tree, bird cherry, and alder shrubbery, all alternating with open spots. The Tikste Stream had two watermills in earlier times, one at the parsonage; the other on the shores of the artificial lake.

1. Kaagjrve manor complexThe manor house of the complex or Alamis is a build-ing in the style of the 19th century neorenaissance. Several beautiful redbrick buildings from the end of the 19th century belong to the complex: the bailiffs house, the storehouse, etc.In the 1880s a powerful industrial complex od Memis was built at 2.5 kilometres distance from the manor on the banks of the Kaagijrve stream running out of the Rautina Lake. The complex consisted of a brewery, flourmill, wool factory, spinning factory, and other industrial buildings. These one and twostoried buildings in uniform histori-cist style were all built of red brick and local stone.

www.mois.ee/voru/kaagjarve.shtml

1. Kaagjrve manor complex2. Karula manor3. New Karula church4. Karula National Park

5. Hargla Church6. Taheva manor7. Koiva meadow8. Aheru lake

ValgaKarulaHargla

2. Karula manorThe imposing manor house was destroyed in 1919 dur-ing the War of Independence. The neogothic bailiffs house reminding a Middle Age castle of local stone has been preserved. At a distance of half a kilometre from the manor there is the burial ground of the manor own-ers, the family of von Grote called Krootimgi with its walls of a neogothic chapel.

3. New Karula churchThere has been a church at Karula since 1318. the last church was burnt in 1944 and it stands still in ruins. The new church has been built of a former shed and was completed in 1997. On the Midsummer Day of 2001 the church got a beau-tiful stained glass window (made by Dolores Hoffmann, a German artist) presented to the congregation by the descendants of the former owners of the Karula Manor the von Grote family. The foundation of the Karula church and the tip of the tower of the Urvaste church are at the same height.

4. Karula National ParkKarula National park located in the Valga and Vru counties is characterized by forests, meadows, mires and rolling country with more than 50 lakes. The high-est hill of the region is the Tornimgi of Rebaseme: from a massive 30m gazebo on Tornimgi opens a breathtaking view of the Otep and Haanja highlands. There are 4 study trails on the area of the National Park, all supplied with information posts and signs; a long and a short cycling path and a number of places for camping.Information about the Woods Crone Family Park may be received fro the following website address: www.kaikakant.ee/metsamoor

hijrve village, Antsla parish+372 782 8350;www.karularahvuspark.eewww.rmk.ee

5. Hargla churchThe church was completed in 1821. The altarpiece painted by E. Jacobs, originates from 1895 and won a gold medal at the competition of alter pieces in Lon-don. The organ has been built in 1876 by organ master A. Knauff in Gotha. In 1781 a chapel was built in the Hargla cemetery to bury the remains of the owner of the Laanemetsa Manor, Russian Major General Gotthard Wilhelm von Wassermann, his wife, mother and his brotherin law, the owner of the Taheva Manor von Riekoff and other members of the family. The remains of the buried are mummified.

6. Taheva manorThis stately twostoried neobaroque building was destroyed in 1944, in the battles of World War II. A great number of outhouses, however, have been preserved, the most interesting of them being an icecellar built in 1820. From the Taheva Manor start 20, 25 and 50 km marked cycling pats. There is also a gazebo to see the landscape.

www.mois.ee/voru/taheva.shtmlwww.rmk.ee

7. Koiva meadowOne of the most beautiful valley flat wooded meadows in Estonia is the Koiva meadow by the Estonian/Latvian border. The dominant species growing on the meadow are oak, lime, and aspen; on the riverbanks a real rarity the spindle tree can sometimes be met; here grow also some orchid species rare in Estonia and other rarities. The Mustje meadow is included in the list of interna-tional importance for bird species. Several camping and campfire sites have been pre-pared on the riverbanks.

www.rmk.ee

8. Aheru lake(or Kantsi Lake, Suurjrv Lake, Ahero Lake)It is the biggest among the Karula lakes (234 ha). The lake is located in the Hargla basin 3. 5 km from Koikkla.Among small lakes Aheru is one of the richest for fish. On the shores of the lake at the Oore recreational farm the visitors have accommodation, campfire sites and boat landings at their disposal.

www.rkm.ee

Otep Winter Capital of EstoniaThe parish of Otep was formed by joining the town of Otep and the parish of Phajrve in 1999. The parish has 21 villages, the biggest among them being Sihva, Otep, Phajrve and Vana-Otep. The town of Otep is the parish centre.From the winter solstice till the beginning of spring, Otep bears the title of the Winter Capital of Estonia.

Area: 217.36 km2

Population: 4500 (2400 in the town of Otep)

Otep TouristInformation CentreTartu mnt. 1, Otep 67404+372 766 1200otepaa@visitestonia.comturism@otepaa.eewww.visitestonia.comwww.otepaa.ee

1. Otep castle hill and the ruins of the bishops castle2. Townhall3. Energy column4. Tehvandi Centre

5. Otep Adventure Park6. Otep St Marys Lutheran Church 7. Museum of the Estonian Flag8. Otep Ski Museum9. Memorial to the heroes of the War of Independence

1. Otep castle hill and the ruins of the bishops castleA settlement of ancient Estonians was founded on the Otep castle hill during the II millennium B.Ch. The Otep castle hill is first mentioned in the Novgorod Chronicle in 1116. In 1224 German invaders built here a stone fortification, which is the oldest known stone fortification in Estonia. The fortification was destroyed in about 1480 in a war against Russia, its ruins can now be seen on the top of the hill. In 1937 a metal map of the fortification was set up on the castle hill.

2. Townhall In this house built in 1957 the Otep parish govern-ment, police headquarters, town library, public internet centre, caf (WIFI), and several firms are now housed.

3. Energy columnIn the roundabouts of Otep sensitives have found positive energy fields. The reasons of their origin are not exactly known. It is presumed that it is because here grow a great number of very old trees. In 1992 the existence of the positive energy fields was decided to mark with a decorative sculpture.

4. Tehvandi Sport CentreTehvandi Centre was founded in 1977 as one of the cen-tres for preparing the Olympic team for winter sports of the Soviet Union. In addition to the main building a ski stadium, crosscountry ski paths, and a K70 ski jump hill, a shooting range, running and rollerski path belong to the complex. From the ski jump hill a breathtaking view opens to the surrounding landscape.

Tehvandi Centre FoundationNpli village, Otep parish+372 766 9500;www.tehvandi.ee

5. Otep Adventure ParkBy the Tehvandi Centre an adventure park was opened in summer 2005 with 5 adventure trails on trees of different level of difficulty, which under the guidance of experienced instructors offer unforgettable impres-sions in summer both to the old and to the young.

+372 504 9783; +372 766 1313www.seikluspark.ee

6. Otep St Marys Lutheran ChurchThe first church founded in Otep stood on the highest peak of the castle hill. The next church, the former place of which is marked with a stone cross was founded on the eastern slope pf the hill. The present church was built in the time of the Swedish invasion in the second half of the 17th century. In 1850 the church underwent inside repairs and the gallery was built. The organ was made at the mastery of a Tartu organ builder Kessler in 1852. The churchtower got its present design in 1860.

7. The Museum of the Estonian FlagIn the Museum of the Estonian Flag the story of the birth of the Estonian flag is told. On July 4, 1884 the blueblackandwhite flag of the Estonian Students Society was celebrated in the Rectory Hall of Otep, which became the Estonian national flag in 1922. The basrelieves depicting the celebration ceremony of the flag have been set on the front wall of the Otep St Marys Church.

Rectory, Otep+372 765 5075; +372 525 4860

8. Otep Ski MuseumOtep Ski Museum was opened in the Otep Rectory in 2001. The museum was recognized by the Interna-tional Ski Federation (FIS) in 2003. The permanent exposition of the museum demon-strates the history of Estonian ski sport and Otep as a winter sport centre. Since 2005 a visitor can try a hand on the simulator of biathlon.

Rectory, Otep+372 766 3670; +372 501 6082

9. Memorial to the heroes of the War of IndependenceMemorial to the war heroes was opened in 1928 (sculptor Voldemar Mellik, executed by stonemason P. Veeber). During the Soviet occupation the monu-ment lay hidden in the ground. It was reopened in a new place on the hill in front of the St Marys Church on April 22, 1989. The huge granite boulder with the full list of the names of the dead (54) has been lost (54), only 22 names have been preserved.

HIKING PATHS AROUNG LAKE PHAJRVEInfo: Administration of the Otep Nature ParkKolga tee 28, 67404 Otep+372 765 5876www.otepaaloodus.ee; otepaa.looduspark@mail.ee

OtepPhajrveKriku foot- and cycling path11 km, covered with asphaltThe path starts from the intersection of the Me and Phajrve Roads and runs downhill towards Lake Pha-jrv. The section Otep-Phajrv is meant for people travelling on foot. The PhajrveSihva section is for people travelling on foot, on bicycle, or on rollerskates, the PhajrveKriku section is for both the hikers and the bicycle riders.

PhajrveKriku ski path9 kmThe path can be taken starting from the Phajrve Holiday Centre or from the Kriku ski stadium. From the same places skiing equipment can be rented. In the short days in winter when darkness sets early the 3 km KrikuSihva section of the path and the roundabouts of the Phajrve Holiday Centre are illuminated from 1722 .

Phajrve hiking trailLength 12 km, supplied with signs and a map, runs around Lake Phajrve.The path starts from the Centre of the Otep Nature Park. For those travelling on foot or by bike, a 12 km path is meant, taking one to a trip around Phajrv. It takes from 3 to 6 hours to pass the route. The path runs past the Kolga farms, Kiigemgi, Armuallikas, Poslovitsa, Hobusemgi, Koolirand, the Phajrve Park and beach. Along the path a traveller finds resting places and places for building campfire. Part of the path (ca 2.2 km) runs along the foot and bicycle path by the OtepKriku road.

Phajrve walking path1.5 km, supplied with signs and a map.The path starts at the sources of Vike Emajgi in the southern tip of Lake Phajrv. The path is very suitable for children and families. By the path one can find boards with information about fauna and flora and marry childrens attractions. The path takes the walkers to Koolirand, where there is a resting ground with woo-den blocks to sit on, a place for campfire, and a swing.

Apteekri forest trail3 km, supplied with signs.The trail starts and ends at the Otep Sport Centre in Me Street.The path runs along the Npli training path to the Apteekrimets, cuts the forest trail between Mar-guse artificial lake and the Otep garden suburb and having crossed the bridge of Sulaoja, ascends step by step back to its starting point.

PATHS AT KRIKUInfo: Nonprofit association Kekkonen Path+372 515 1404 www.kekkoserada.ee; www.kaariku.com info@kekkoserada.ee

The Kekkonen path15 km, supplied with signs and a map.The path is used all the year round by hikers, sports-men (both amateur and professional) and bicyclists in summer and by skiers in winter. The path has got its original name from the visit of Urho Kaleva Kekkonen, the Finnish President to Kriku in 1964. The path starts from the Kriku ski stadium and runs up and downhill to such beautiful places as Alpiaas, Hirveorg, and Harimgi. By the Kekkonen path there is a 26 m wooden lookout from which opens a wonderful view to the hillocks of the Otep upland and across the river valley of VikeEmajgi to the Karula upland.It is possible to follow the 2.5 sidepaths of Amfiteater and Purakame; in that case the total length of the path is 20 km.

Routes

Kriku crosscountry ski paths1; 2; 2.5; 3; 5; 7.5 km, supplied with signsThe paths run from the Kriku ski stadium. The 2.5 km path is illuminated. There is the equipment rental at the stadium.

MOTION PATHS AT TEHVANDI Info: Tehvandi Sport CentreNpli village, 67406 Otep+372 766 9500 www.tehvandi.ee; tehvandi@tehvandi.ee

Running, imitation, and pole walk paths5 kmThe path starts from the main building of the Tehvandi centre and runs around the hills of Kunime, Hobuse-raua, Pksisre, and Tehvandi. The path is covered with sawdust and marked with blue ribbons. At the path there are signs marking passed kilometres.This is a difficult path with steep rises and falls and is not advisable for amateurs!

Roller ski and roller skate paths5 kmThis 3 m wide path starts from the Tehvandi centre and runs over the Hobuseraua, Ltteme and Tehvandi mires, around the Tehvandi hill, and in the rounda-bouts of Ansome. This is a oneway path only. The path is supplied with signs marking kilometres passed. The path is difficult, with dangerous steep and winding descents. It is meant only for well trained and experien-ced sportsmen in rollerskiing and roller skating!

Bicycle path5.7 kmThe path begins from the Tehvandi main building and runs from the Tehvandi stadium along the Tartu Cycling Marathon path to Ansome, from there on to Kasemetsa, passes Kuusemetsa and Savime, then to the Tehvandi hill and the Tehvandi mire, running past Ltteme and Linname back to the starting point. The path is mostly soilcovered and runs across fields, some-times even over difficult marshland. It has been marked with yellow ribbons.

Running and pole walking path5.5 km

The path starts at the Tehvandi Centre and runs around Kunime, Ansome, Kasemetsa, Kuusemetsa, Savime, Tehvandi hill, and Tehvandi mire; later Ltteme and Linname. The path is partly covered with sawdust and marked with red ribbons.

Health path1.2 kmThe path runs around Kunime and starts from the Tehvandi Centre. Along the path seven training areas for training different muscle groups and balance have been built. The path is marked with green ribbons.

Ski paths of1; 1.5; 2; 2.5; 3.2; 5; 7.5; 10 kmAll ski paths of high quality, covered with artificial snow start at the Tehvandi Centre and end at the Tehvandi ski stadium. The 3.2 km training path and the 5 km compe-tition path are illuminated. The 10 km path is good for amateurs.

MADSA RECREATION PATHSInfo: Madsa Recreation Centre+372 767 9656, +372 514 8103 madsa@madsa.ee; www.madsa.ee

Ski paths0.9; 1.5; 4 kmThe paths start all from the Madsa Holiday Cantre. The paths are illuminated at night, the 4 km path only partly.

TARTU MARATON PATHSInfo: Klubi Tartu Maraton; +372 742 1644www.tartumaraton.eetartumaraton@tartumaraton.ee

Tartu cycling marathon path63/31 km, marked, supplied with mapThe Tartu cycling marathon path starts from Otep, from the Tehvandi ski stadium, and ends in Elva, at the Tartu County Health Sports Centre. The path is marked with blue cycling signs answering the Estonian stan-dards, the signs mark the route in both directions and also show the distance passed.The path is meant both for hiking and training. In most part, the path runs along forest trails and smaller gravel roads. The path is passable on bicycles of different type, the most suitable is the crosscountry bike. The cycling marathon path runs in its beginning near the winter ski marathon path, later along the Npli training path, crosses then the Hanime and Meegaste hills and runs further across the ElvaVitipalu landscape protection area.

Tartu ski marathon path63/31 km, marked, supplied with mapThe Tartu Marathon path starts from Otep, from the Tehvandi ski stadium. It runs through Matu, Mekla, Meegaste, Palu and Hellenurme to Elva to the Tartu Caounty Health Sports Centre.

ValgaOtep

1. Memorial of the Paju Battle 2. Sangaste castle3. Mrdi cork trees4. Kriku5. Harimgi

6. Gustav Wulff-is Farm Museum7. Phajrve lake8. Phajrve Holiday Centre9. Phajrve War Oak10. Otep golf links

11. Hellenurme watermill12. Nuni lake13. Leigo Tourist Farm14. Otep Nature Park

1. Memorial of the Paju BattleNear the Paju Manor on January 31, 1919 one of the most important battle of the War of Independence took place. Together with the Estonians, a regimen of Finnish volunteers called Regimen of The Sons of the North also fought. The most legendary leader of the War of Independence Julius Kuperjanov was mortally wounded in the battle. The battle is memorized by a granite monument on a threestep pyramid of earth, which was reopened by the Estonian President Lennart Meri on the 75th anniversary of the battle on January 30, 1994.

2. Sangaste castleThe Sangaste castle completed in 1881 which belonged to the famous rye breeder Count Berg,has been built after the designs of architect Otto Pius Hippius. This magnificent mansion of red brick is one of the most representative examples of historicism in the whole Baltic region and in the outside look of the house one can notice elements reminding the Windsor Palace in England. The attention of the guests is attracted by a park with its ponds and rare tree species and the echo effect under the vaults of the front stairs.

Lossila, Sangaste parish+372 767 9300www.sangasteloss.ee

3. Mrdi cork treesThe Mrdi cork oaks under protection grow near the dam built of the Vike-Emajgi. The former water-mill dam has been built so that it is possible to stand behind the watercurtain and listen to the murmur of the waterfall.

4. KrikuKriku started developing since 1947 when the study and training centre of the faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences of the University of Tartu was founded here. Today Kriku with its beautiful landscape and motion paths usable all the year round has become a very pop-ular place of peoples sport. One of the most frequently used paths is the 14 km Kekkonen hiking path. One the shore of the Kriku Lake one can find a boat rental, a pier and a diving tower.

www.kaariku.comwww.kekkoserada.ee

5. Harimgi Harimgi is one of the biggest plateaus of the Otep upland: 211.3 m above the sea level according to the latest measurements. The hill has also been called the Leenardi and Leonhardi hill. There is a 28 m high wooden watch-toweron the hill; the height of the upper platform is 24 m. A scenic view opens from the tower to the hills of Otep and across the valley of Vike-Emajgi river till the Karula upland.

6. Gustav Wulff-is Farm MuseumGustav Wulff was born on January 1,1865 in the Vastse-Otep parish at the Juusa farm. He became known as the author of the words of a wellknown song Sweet Nightingale. The song has become almost a hymn of Otep. At present the Lhmuse farm houses a museum and the mistress of the farm is the poets grandchild Mari-Ann Karup.

Npli village, Otep parish+372 765 5119; +372 523 3060www.kirmus.ee/nypli

7. Phajrv lakePhajrv Lake is the biggest lake of the Otep upland: the length of the lake is 3.5 km, and the widest spot 1.6 km, the greatest depth is 8.5 m, area 292.6 ha and the total length of the shoreline 16.4 km.There are several springs on the lakeshores; the best known is the Armuallikas (Spring of Love) in the baylet. From the southern tip of the lake Vike-Emajgi river begins. In the park on the shores of the lake stands a wooden sculpture in the honour of the religious leader of the Tibetan people His Holiness Dalai Lama XIV Ten-zin Gyatsos visit to Estonia in 1991. Phajrv is suitable for fishing, bathing and sunbath-ing; there is a boat rental in summer; one can find sev-eral beach cafs and the beach is also watched by the lifeguards. The Phajrve beach was given a Blue Flag in summer 2000, which is the symbol of ecofriendli-ness in Europe. The recognition is annually applied for.

8. Phajrve Holiday CentrePhajrve Holiday Centre offers recreation through health, treatment, and beauty procedures. There is a bowling area, a water centre and bodybuilding hall in the centre. In summer a pleasure yacht cruises the lake starting from the harbour of the manor park.

Phajrve village, Otep parish+372 766 5500www.pyhajarve.com

9. Phajrve War OakPhajrve War Oak is the jewel of the manor park. The trunk diameter of this old tree with a huge spherical crown at the height of 1.3 m is 210 cm; the circumfer-ence of the three is 6.6 m, its height 20 m, and age nearly 380 years. The oak is called a War Oak as the witness to the events of the 19th century. In autumn 1841 the peasants of the Phajrve manor refused to work for the manor. They were punished in the neighbourhood of the big oak on December 16. There are several walking paths in the neighbourhood of the oak.

10. Otep golf linksOtep golf links are located in the village of Mha. The driving range and the pitch-put were opened in July, 2005, the completion of the links is planned by the season of 2007.

Otep Golf Club+372 56 200 115www.otepaagolf.ee

11. Hellenurme watermillThe Hellenurme watermill is located at 14km from Otep towards Elva on the shores of a beautiful artifi-cial lake. This magnificent watermill built of local stone and red brick was built in the 1880s by the Middendorff family who were the local manor holders. The machin-ery found in the mill originates from the 1930s.

Hellenurme, Palupera parish+372 520 5142;www.hot.ee/hellenurmeveski

12. Nuni lakeNuni Lake is one of the richest for fish in the region. The main fish species are the bream, the roach, the perch, the pike, etc. The area of the lake is ~79 ha and the depth is 15.5 m. on the shores of the lake one can find places for having rest and for bathing; it is possible to take a trip around the lake on foot, by bike as well as by car.

13. Leigo Tourist FarmLeigo tourist farm has become widely known and popular because of its lake music concerts and per-formances that take place every summer.

Lutike village, Palupera parish+372 509 1344www.leigo.ee

14. Otep Nature ParkOtep Nature Park is located in the northern part of the Valga County on the area of the Otep, Palupera, Puka, and Sangaste parishes. The Nature Park covers 22,430 ha in the central part of the 1,180 km2 Otep upland. By its territory the Otep upland is the largest landscape protection area in Estonia.

Centre of the Otep Nature ParkKolga tee 28, Otepwww.otepaaloodus.ee

Text by: Marina Lauk, Liivika Liiv-Kaldma, Mare RaidTranslation by: Kersti UntDesign by: O Disain ja TrkkPhotos by: Tiina Viirelaid, Toomas Uibo, Jaanus Ilp, Olev Merivee, Mare Raid, Andy KarjusPrinted by: AS Triip

2005

This publication is supported by the European Union Printed on 100% recycled paper Cyclus with inks based on natural resins and oils Triip

Valga Tourist Information CentreKesk 11, Valga 68203

+372 766 1699valga@visitestonia.comwww.visitestonia.com

Otep Tourist Information CentreTartu mnt 1, Otep 67404

+372 766 1200otepaa@visitestonia.com; turism@otepaa.ee

www.visitestonia.com; www.otepaa.ee

Trva Tourist InformationValga 1, Trva 68605

+372 766 3300info@torva.eewww.torva.ee