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Haapsalu – Risti – Koluvere – (Kullamaa) – Rapla
Haapsalu – Kullamaa (45km) NB! Route 3 offers you a short introduction of Haapsalu and you are welcome to Haapsalu Tourist Info Centre on the main street.
Following the route from Haapsalu towards Tallinn, the first big building on your left is Uuemõisa Castle, which dates back to 1539. During the following centuries, the building has been reconstructed many times. The White Hall in the building is on of the most representative concert halls in Haapsalu.
Just before reaching Taebla, you will see a sign which shows the way to Kadarpiku Village to the House-Museum of Ants Laikmaa, one of the best-know Estonian artists. The house was built as an image of the painter’s ideals in a unique style of national romanticism. The 7-hectare park behind the house is under nature protection where you can find the old oaks planted in honour of several famous Estonian writers. From the road on your left, you can certainly notice a church steeple. It belongs to Lääne-Nigula Church. The church itself was restored in 1816 and its steeple in 1882. The church is surrounded by an old cemetery where old crosses and tombstones catch everybody’s eye. Not far from the church stands the Koela Farm-museum which was founded into Uuetoa farmhouse and which has a lot to offer to those who are interested in old farm items. By the road you can notice a pole with colourful ribbons. On top of the pole there is a stork’s nest. Ribbons have been tied to the post by grooms in the hope of having luck with children. The next inhabited place is Palivere, which is famous for its sandy mountains and pine forests. The highest point in Läänemaa is just here –a 51-metre-high hill which once was a stronghold and which is now used for ski jump. From the top of it there is a beautiful view to the surrounding landscape. Not far from Palivere, by the road, you can see a park and Palivere Manor, where a special boarding school is located and where you can stay overnight.
Before taking your turn towards Virstu, go through Risti settlement. Here you will certainly notice a peculiar memorial to the people who were deported: an iron cross, constructed from rails. From here about 3000 West-Estonian people were deported to Siberia.
If you have decided to go towards Virtsu, you pass Marimetsa marsh which begins at Rõuma. The bog has been equipped with wooden paths with the length of 5.5 kilometres, bird watching towers and information boards.
At the 12th kilometre on Risti-Virtsu road on the left there stand an old Koluvere Bishop’s Castle, probably built in the 13th century. The building stands on the island between the Liivi River and canals and was one of the 5 residences of Saare-Lääne bishops. The castle has belonged to people of different nations, among them Russian Empress Catharine II and Emperor Paul I. At the moment it is a private property.
One way to go on is to turn from Koluvere towards Märjamaa and Rapla. However, not far from Koluvere in the other direction there is Kullamaa settlement where a 13th century church with a Renaissance pulpit and a church yard with interesting crosses, the oldest circular cross among them, might also be interesting to look at. Next to the graveyard there is a vast ancient stronghold area (2000square metres) Kullamaa Rohumäe, which was inhabited by Estonians in 11-12th centuries.
If you like active holiday, here is your chance at the archery gallery of Kullamaa.
If you towards Rapla at Koluvere crossroads, you pass Iganõmme landscape protection area. Near the former inn at Loodna, the road turns to Teenuse where at a beautiful river bend you come across Teenuse manor and the manor park, which belonged to the Maydells. It is a good place for picnics and camping. Tamme farm arranges canoe trips.
At Sipa the manor house has been built in Baroque style. Off the road to the north, you can see Sipa sacrificial lime tree with a circumference of 9 metres. Quite near that tree, on Angasilla Hill, there grows a so called tree of repentance.
The road towards Märjamaa passes through wooded meadows which are characteristic to Rapla County. In Märjamaa, just by the road there stands a medieval stronghold church. In summer one of the popular places at Märjamaa is the song festival grounds where Märjamaa folk concert takes place. Near Märjamaa there is a karst landscape protection area, which, when flooded, forms a big lake. However, in summer you can walk across it with your feet dry.
One of nature sights is Niidiaia oak forest with its 350-year-old oaks. It is said that in old times it had been a favourite hunting place for the Baron of Haimre and his companions.
At 2.5 kilometres off the main road, in Nõmmeotsa Village, it is possible to try your hand at tennis, archery and beach volley, go swimming and, it goes without saying, stay overnight.
When you go on from Luhtre, you arrive at Haimre where you can walk along a larch alley in the manor park. The only building of the manor complex that has partly survived is Muhammad Chapel which is a favourite performing place of the State Men’s Choir of Estonia. From Haimre it is worth your while to go along the 12 kilometre gravel road to Velise where you can discover the Sillaotsa Farm-museum, an orthodox church, an arboretum and an island of swings. At the same place there are the beginnings of Velise nature and culture trails.
And now turn from Orgita back towards Rapla. At about 6 kilometres towards Rapla, the road sign says – Gildeman’s Dolomite. In the village of Jalase there is a small industry which produces sculptures and small items from the local material. The village and the surroundings are under heritage protection. To the north of the village there is Jalase- Sõbesoo hiking trail which ends at a bog lake.
While going on along the main road, it is worth turning to Tamme Village where there is working Kabala wool mill. If you are adventurous enough, use the opportunity to go to sauna and take a trip on a raft. It’s worth trying!!!
By the road near Kuusiku there is an airfield and Agricultural Park. In the building of the former textile factory by the road near Rapla there is a nice Krantsi Inn and a dance stable. The only country church in Estonia with two steeples is in Rapla. The doors of Mary Magdalene’s Church are open to visitors all through summer. By the church there is a notice-board which tells you about all the interesting things to see.
In Rapla Clubhouse, in one of the rooms, it is possible to see the life’s work of Linda Raus, who was a well-known folk dance teacher. In Rütman’s art gallery there is always something on show.
Before going on, it is a wise idea to drop in at Rapla Tourist Info Centre.
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