Page 97 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Estonia Latvia & Lithuania

WESTERN EST ONIA 95

the islands of Muhu and
Saaremaa. Lihula was the site
of a major castle in the 13th
century, which was almost
destroyed during the Livonian
Wars (1558–83). The impressive
ruins stand atop a hill offering
spectacular views of the region.
Housed in an old manor house,
the nearby Lihula Museum
offers a com prehensive account
The Sprawling Suuremõisa Manor, fronted by a verdant lawn of the town’s history.
for murdering one of his ships’ 1500 and completed in 1531. E Lihula Museum
captains in the house. There are At the end of the 1980s, the Linnuse tee 1. Tel 477 8880.
64 rooms in this grand manor, crumbling edifice was Open irregular hours; call for timings.
which currently houses two reinforced with four thick
schools. Although the interior sloping buttresses, giving it its
is not open to the public, it is highly distinctive appearance. 7 Muhu Island
pos sible to take a stroll around The equally distinct Ristna Road Map C2. @ from Tallinn, Pärnu.
the manor’s vast grounds. Lighthouse (1874) stands only g from Virtsu. 0 - =
10 km (6 miles) further west, ∑ muhu.info
} Kassari at the tip of the peninsula.
* 90. @ from Kärdla. 8  Most people generally pass
Hiiumaa Museum: Open May–Aug: through Muhu Island on their
way to Saaremaa without
10am–5:30pm Mon–Sun. &
A small island connected to spending much time here.
Hiiumaa by a causeway, Kassari However, Muhu is an extremely
is known for its natural beauty. attractive island whose small
The 18th-century Kassari size makes it easy to explore.
chapel-turned-church is the The village of Liiva, just 6 km
only functioning church with (4 miles) from the ferry terminal,
a reed roof in Estonia. Near the is home to the 13th-century
church is the village of Kassari St Catherine’s Church, while
itself, home to the Hiiumaa the nearby coastal village
Museum, which gives an of Koguva is a picturesque
overview of Hiiumaa from the ensemble of stone farmhouses
Stone Age through to the Kõpu Lighthouse, one of the world’s oldest with thatched roofs.
present. The island culminates functioning lighthouses Muhu Island has preserved
in the stunning Sääre Tirp its charming tradition of
peninsula in the south, a 2-km brightly painted farmhouse
(1-mile) spit that can be 6 Lihula doors, some of which depict
covered on foot or by car. Road Map C2. * 1,600. n Tiigi 5, symbols that are said to keep
The Orjaku Nature Trail 477 8191. ∑ lihula.ee evil spirits away.
explores Käina Bay, a major bird The rugged natural beauty
sanctuary. The coastal water The quiet town of Lihula leads of the island also makes it a
around Kassari is said to be to Matsalu National Park (see wonderful place for long
the warmest in Estonia and the p93) and also serves as the last walks, especially along the
island has plenty of good stopping-off point en route to pristine coastline.
beaches, especially in the south.
With only four villages, Kassari
retains its peace even in the
height of summer.
P Kõpu Lighthouse
Kõpu village, 35 km (22 miles) W of
Kärdla. Open May–end Sep:
10am–8pm daily. Tel 469 3474. & 8
Midway along the rocky Kõpu
peninsula, this is the world’s
third-oldest working light house.
Built on the highest hill of
Hiiumaa, it was com missioned
by the Hanseatic League in Stone farmhouses in the fishing village of Koguva, Muhu Island
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp297–8 and pp316–18