| Haapsalu-Lihula-Virtsu 70 km |
|
Haapsalu – Lihula – Virtsu (70 km)
Having driven for about 10 kilometres along Haapsalu – Laiküla Road, you reach Ridala. Mary Magdalene Church in Ridala with its thick walls and narrow windows is one of the oldest and most interesting sacramental buildings of the 13th century Estonia. Especially eye-catching items are fresco fragments, wood engravings, the medieval altar in the choir room and trapeze-shape gravestones in the graveyard.
If you are not in a hurry and you wish to go swimming or stay overnight, we advise you to go to Topu, Tooraku or Kiviküla on the coast. There is a golf course on the area between Haapsalu and Ridala. Not far from Parila, the road sign shows you the way to the north coast, where by Matsalu Bay there are places called Puise and Kiideva. This area is attractive to birdwatchers and nature lovers. On your way to the coast, you pass Altmõisa Guesthouse and Põgari beach, which is rich in different birds in this area. At the end of Puise peninsula the sea looks wonderful. At Jugasaare Harbour and in Kiideva Village there are viewing platforms. Kiideva is one of a few fishing villages in Lääne County. Puise and Kiideva are connected with a hiking trail. While back on the main road, there is another chance to turn towards the north at Haeska road sign. At the top of the 10-metre-high Haeska viewing platform you have a great view to the shallow bay and vast coastal meadows. That platform is considered to be the best one in North Europe. When you are back on the main road again, the road sign on your left shows the way to Martna, where in St Martin Church there is the third biggest collection of coat-of-arms in Estonia. The two biggest ones are in Tallinn Dome Church and Niguliste Church. 5 kilometres from Martna stands Suure-Lähtru Manor complex in the style of early classicism. The manor dates back to 1775, is now a private property and is open for concerts and receptions in summer.
When you come to Risti-Virtsu Road, then keep going towards Lihula and soon you will come to the longest river (112 km) in Läänemaa. The Kasari River flows through the biggest flood plain in North Europe, which is always flooded during spring floods. Nowadays the road goes over the new bridge. However, the old one, which at its construction time (1904) was the longest ferro-concrete bridge (308 m x 7 m) in the world, has been restored.
Not far away from Lihula, the road sign directs you to Penijõe. Three kilometres off the main road, there is the centre of Matsalu National Park, which is famous for its bird sanctuary: thousands of migratory birds stop, nest and moult there. The centre and the museum are located in the restored Penijõe Manor. Here you have a possibility to see slide shows and video films about the area. The best time to visit Matsalu is certainly the birds’ migration period, either spring or autumn. The area is equipped with different viewing platforms and hiking trails. From Kloostri, Penijõe and Keemu platforms you can see the meadows of the Kasari River, the reed beds and coastal meadows of Matsalu Bay. The highest lookout tower is the 21-metre-high Suitsu platform. If you want to become friends with nature, try Penijõe, Salevere Salumäe, Suitsu, Näärikivide and Keemu hiking trails.
When you come back to the main road, then soon the sign tells you that you have arrived at Lihula. In 1211 Albert, the Archbishop of Riga, designed Lihula to be the centre of Lääne Bishopric. The ancient Estonians had had their stronghold in Lihula but it burned down. Instead of it, the building of a new stone stronghold started in 1238. During the Livonian War the stronghold changed hands many times; the owners were Danes, Swedes, Germans and Russians in turn. Now you can see only the ruins.
Lihula Manor was founded in the 13th century. The museum, located in the manor, tells you about the history of the town and its surrounding. The tourist info centre is in the same building.
On the main street there are two things worth a closer look: Elizabeth Church and Jaan’s Inn.
On the way to Virtsu, you pass Karuse Church, which dates back to the 13th century and was initially built without a steeple as a stronghold-church. Inside there is a Gotland- type baptising font.
There are options to explore both sides of the main road. At Vatla you can see Vatla manor house which is interesting because the house was built in shape of a croissant. Near Vatla there is Tuhu marsh which is equipped with a platform and a hiking trail. Here you can get acquainted with all the phases of biogenesis of a marsh.
On the other side of the main road you reach Salevere Salumäe, an esker which is about 20 metres above the sea level. The area is rich is species, it is the habitat of the rare land snail. The cliff crevices offer shelter for grass snakes, adders and blindworms. There is a 1.5-kilometre-long hiking trail there.
On the main road, on one side there is Hanila Village, a church and a museum; on the other side there is Kõmsi Orthodox Church. Near the church there are 2000-year-old stone barrows. The place was obviously abandoned at the beginning of our era. One of the barrows was left uncovered after archaeological excavations.
Finally you reach Virtsu settlement and the harbour. From here people travel to the island of Saaremaa. Initially Virtsu was an island. It has become a peninsula due to the road that was built there.
|
/MT_banner.jpg)
.gif)
