Page 115 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

EASTERN EST ONIA  113

} Altja and lush pine forest. Visitors are
15 km (9 miles) E of Võsu. Altja Tavern: likely to spot tracks left by
Tel 520 9156. Open May–Sep: 11am– foraging wild boar, elk and
9pm daily; Oct–Apr: 11am– 8pm brown bears.
Sun–Thu, 11am–9pm Fri–Sat.
0 Oandu: 10 km (6 miles) S of Võsu. Viinistu
 free National Park campsite. 9 km (6 miles) W of Käsmu. * 150.
∑ keskkonnaamet.ee/lahe 0 - Viinistu Art Museum: Tel 5373
Situated to the east of Lahemaa 6446. Open 10am–6pm Wed–Sun.
National Park, Altja is a lovely & ∑ viinistu.ee
tiny fishing village that skirts the Lying on the eastern tip of the
rugged coastline of the park. Its Pärispea Peninsula, the village
main landmark is a large of Viinistu is an
wooden swing that intriguing little place.
stands in an open It profited from the
space at the eastern smuggling of
end of the village. vodka to Finland
Just beyond, during prohibition The beautiful 18th-century manor house
along the beach, in the 1920s, but at Sagadi Manor
are the aban doned during the Soviet
huts of fisher men. era it was incor- P Sagadi Manor
The village’s timber Water barrel, porated into the 8 km (5 miles) NE of Palmse. Tel 676
houses with Viinistu Art Museum nearby Loksa ind us- 7888. Open May–Sep: 10am–6pm
thatched roofs make trial complex. daily; Oct–Apr: by prior arrangement.
it seem like an open-air Today, it has been reinvented & 8 call in advance. 7 -
museum. There is a picturesque due to the efforts of Jaan ∑ sagadi.ee
wooden suspension bridge. Manitsky (b.1943), a wealthy Built in 1749, Sagadi Manor
Beyond Altja, in nearby local businessman who opened (Sagadi mõis) consists of several
Oandu, there are two fantastic a hotel and the Viinistu Art buildings sym metrically laid out
nature trails where visitors can Museum by the harbour. The around a sprawling courtyard in
get a taste of Lahemaa National museum has an impressive front, with a manicured park
Park’s varied forest landscape. collection of 20th-century and pond to the rear. The attrac-
The 2-km (1-mile) long Oandu Estonian art and uses two tive 18th-century Baroque
Beaver Trail passes by several converted water-towers for manor house is now home to
beaver dams and countless temporary exhibitions. a museum which offers an
skilfully gnawed tree stumps. The harbour has been authentic glimpse of the lives of
The 5-km (3-mile) long circular restored and it is possible to the Baltic-German aristo cratic
Oandu Forest Nature Trail travel northeast from Viinistu family who lived here in the
passes through sweet-smelling to the barren Mohni Island. mid-18th century. The manor
house later served as a primary
school and part of a collective
farm until it finally opened as a
museum in 1987.
The Baroque gatehouse, which
used to be the main entrance to
the manor house, is particularly
grand. There are also some truly
fascinating sculptures scattered
around the grounds.
Today, the outhouses on
one side of the courtyard are
occupied by the Forestry
Museum (Metsamuuseum),
which provides a detailed
overview of the diverse flora
and fauna of Estonia’s forests.
Housed in the building nearby
is a hotel called Sagadi Manor
(see p298). A former bailiff’s
residence now serves as the
Sagadi hostel. The historic estate
is also home to a Nature School
where eco logical research is
Wooden swing in the quaint fishing village of Altja carried out.

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