ULVIKARU POSTCARDS

Sunday, August 17, 2008

ESTONIA - Saaremaa

Panga cliff.

The Panga cliff is located on the northern shore of Saaremaa, at the end of the Kuressaare - Võhma road, close to Panga village. It is the highest of the Saaremaa and Muhu cliffs, reaching to a maximum of 21.3 meters. The entire cliff is approximately 2.5 kilometers long.Standing at the tip of the cliff, one can clearly see another half-circular cliff under water. This is especially noticeable during storms, when the waves break against the underwater rocks, while the inside of the half-circle is calm. Folk tradition ties Panga cliff as a place of worship and sacrifice for the ancient Saarlanders. It is known that until well into the 19th century, local fishermen poured libations of beer and whisky over the edge of the cliff, especially at midsummer eve, to ensure lots of fish during the coming year. There is a fishing spell that was chanted in Mustjala parish, and it says: "Come, come closer codfish to me. Bite my hook my dearest gray one. My hooks are silver, dipped in gold and slipped in lead."

5-038

ESTONIA - Saaremaa

Angla windmills.

The only remaining group of windmills on Saaremaa is located in Angla, at the 32 kilometer mark on the Upa-Leisi road. It is the only one remaining windmill hill on Saaremaa. In 1925, when the village of Angla consisted of 13 farms, there were nine windcatchers on the hill. At one time, these open to the winds hills of windmills were a common sight on Saaremaa. When the people were more agrarian, grew their own wheat and rye, and made their own bread, every self-respecting village had a group of windmills to grind the grain. Of the five windmills at Angla, four are typical Saaremaa type of wooden windmill. Notice the projecting wooden bar. These windmills could be turned towards whatever wind was blowing at the time. The largest one on the hill is a Holland-type of windmill, except that typically Holland-type windmills were built of stone. This one is an eight-sided wooden construction.

5-067

ESTONIA - Saaremaa

St. Martin's Church of Valjala.

Saint Martin's Church of Valjala is the oldest church in Estonia situated in Valjala Commune, approximately 25 kilometers from Kuressaare on the island of Saaremaa (Ösel). Immediately after the conquest of 1227, a stone chapel was erected in Valjala not far from the ancient stronghold. Its walls form the lower part of the present church choir. On the southern side of the chapel, there was a vestry. Soon after completion, the chapel was decorated with murals, the remaining fragments of which may be seen on the northern wall of the church (six seated apostles in a Romanesque framing). In 1240 construction of the single-nave church was started. The original chapel was transformed into a choir.

5-039

ESTONIA - The island Muhu

Koguva village in the island Muhu.

Koguva was first mentioned in 1532 by Wolter von Plettenberg in document to grant freedom for peasant called Hansken and his son and their descendants. Hansken descendants became called by surname Schmuul later. Koguva is a small, very peaceful rural village. There are many buildings that are centuries old, dating back to feudal times under Swedish rule, and are still in use today. The northern shore of Muhu, which is claimed to have the clearest water anywhere in the Baltic Sea, is only a short distance away.

5-040

ESTONIA - The island Muhu

Muhu (in German Moon or Mohn; in Estonian also called Muhumaa), is an island in the Baltic Sea. With an area of 198 km² it is the third largest island belonging to Estonia, after Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. The island is divided from mainland Estonia by the Suur Väin Straits (Moonsund) and from Saaremaa by Väike Väin Straits. It is linked by ferry to Virtsu on the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway, the Väinatamm. In winter an ice road connects the island to the mainland.

3-054

Saturday, August 16, 2008

ESTONIA - Pärnu

Ammende Villa, dating from 1905, is the most impressive Art Nouveau, or Jugendstil, building in Estonia. Ammende Villa Hotel & Restaurant was opened after extensive renovation in 1999 and is among the most outstanding attractions in Pärnu. It is not only a fascinating building to look at, but also a renowned world-class hotel and restaurant, which also hosts regular and varied concerts and exhibitions.

5-015