Tallinn-Tartu

The route will take you south from the vicinity of Tallinn to Tartu, passing tiny villages, four manor houses, several major scenic attractions, and five regional museums commemorating facets of Estonian life.

Close to the start there is Aruküla Manor, situated  in  Raasiku parish. Established at the end of the 17th century, one-story stone Classical manor house belonged to the von Baranoffs. Since the 1920s, the manor house has served as a school and today houses the Free Waldorf School and Aruküla Waldorf Kindergarten.

Another spectacular manor house awaits in Albu, a village of 350 in northern-central Estonia. Albu Manor is the oldest manor in Järva County, and dates to 1282. Fragments of the medieval walls are still preserved in the basement of the current manor house. The main building, barn, arched bridge, granary, distillery and park of the manor complex have survived to the present day.

Albu is also connected with two Estonian Olympic medalists. Olympic winner Erika Salumäe inspired a local cycling race and Estonian cross-country skier and Olympic bronze medalist Jaak Mae organises a skiing competition every year at Valgehobusemäe in Albu.

Järva-Jaani Old Equipment Shelter is sure to appeal to those with an interest in mechanics. This collection of old vehicles, agricultural equipment, roadwork machinery and firefighting equipment offers a window into the evolution of engineering.

The Järva-Jaani Firefighting Museum is built on the foundations of the rectory’s old stables and opened its doors to visitors in 1999. In the museum you will see the old flag of the firefighting union (that was lost for 44 years), the new jubilee flag, photos, medals and diplomas.

You then pass into Jõgeva County, the gateway to south Estonia. The area extends from the center of Estonia to the country’s border with Russia along Lake Peipus.

The countryside evokes images of royalty and legends, with castle ruins in Põltsamaa and Laiuse and and immense boulders that are associated with the legends of Kalevipoeg – the hero of the Estonian national epic.

Also in Jõgeva parish is Siimusti Pottery, established by Joosep Tiiman in 1886. The mostly hand-made ceramic pieces are available in the pottery store.

The town of Jõgeva has a population of around 6000 people and was founded
130 years ago, forming around the station built here when the Tapa-Tartu railway was created.

While you’ll be in Jõgeva in the spring, among Estonians, the town epitomizes the country’s frigid winters. Here, in 1940, the country’s coldest temperature was recorded! A “Frost Column” was erected in 2003 to mark the 43,5ºC  temperature. Jõgeva is also the headquarters of the Estonian Santa Claus—all letters addressed to Father Christmas arrive at the post office here.

Kuremaa features an estate built from 1837 to 1843 by the von Oettingen family--two million bricks were used in its construction. Kuremaa Manor house served as an agricultural school for decades; today it is a museum, used to host conferences. Many outbuildings have been preserved. Its windmill is a popular landmark, and its terraced gardens reach down to the shore of Lake Kuremaa.

Palamuse, first mentioned, is one of the oldest parishes in Estonia, with references to it first appearing in 1234.  Celebrated Estonian author Oskar Luts memorializes the town in his stories “Spring” and “Summer”. In an old parish schoolhouse, which was built in 1873, a museum housed in a schoolhouse built in 1873 commemorates Luts, life in a village school in the late 19th century and the history of Palamuse.

Luua is also in Palamuse parish, is home to another manor that dates to 1519, first owned by Jyrgen von Lude. The current building Luua Manor is originally from the 1730's but has been heavily rebuilt at various times since. The estate is one of the best specimens of the baroque style in Estonia and features a renovated manor house, a “gingerbread house” with woodcarvings and a park.

Moving on we get to Elistvere Wildlife Park. Native wild animals – foxes, roe deer, a bear, lynxes, elks, wild boars, buffalos – are settled in the conditions similar to those they experience in the nature. Those interested may also visit the small rodents’ centre. Nature study trails introduce various plant species with the help of information signs.

Close to Elistvere there is a whole family playground Vudila. There are spacious swimming pools, water slides, playgrounds and exciting attractions.

As you leave Jõgeva parish and enter Tartu County, you’ll be greeted by Lake Saadjärv, the sixth largest lake in Estonia.

The Ice Age Centre in Äksi is a unique and original tourist attraction – a nature centre that combines popular scientific approach to ice age with entertainment. Exhibits feature animals from the ice age such as mammoths, Irish elk, and cave lion. An ice age playground is open for children.