The enchanting nature and culture of Eastern Estonia

Text and photos Susanna Poikela

Along a beautiful park street in Sillamäe, intact Soviet architecture. The street leads to the city's promenade.

 

For many, East Estonia is the number one destination this summer. The region’s authentic tourist attractions, sights and affordable prices are attracting more and more tourists to the area. All the destinations mentioned in this article are less than an hour’s drive from each other.

 

East Estonia’s spectacular coastal cliffs and northern jungle forest

The Ontika limestone escarpment is a continuous stretch of coastline, almost 23 kilometres long, from Saka to Toila. Millions of years old, the cliffs offer unobstructed views of the Gulf of Finland. 

The Valaste Nature Trail and waterfall is a good place to explore the rugged limestone cliffs of Estonia’s northern coast. The trail starts at the top of the cliffs, descending through lush forest down to the shore. 

The forest type found at the foot of Estonia’s northern coastal cliffs is unique. It also has its own microclimate, as the forests are sheltered from the excessive sun. The sea, on the other hand, provides the necessary moisture for the forest. The nature trail is therefore an excellent destination for anyone interested in plants. 

 

 

Because of its rich vegetation, the Valaste forest has been called the jungle of the North. That is indeed the feeling you get when walking down the steep slope towards the beach. Trees, shrubs and undergrowth are everywhere. Resting places and lookouts have been built on the steps of the nature trail, from where you can safely admire the 57-metre-high Valaste escarpment and the waterfall, which is over 30 metres high. 

When you reach the shore, you will soon find a small, dark limestone rock with a fossil carved into its surface. I try in vain to find a fossil in the beach rocks. I leave it at that and concentrate on admiring the view of the sea. 

 

 

A picture postcard landscape

The Oru Park in Tula is one of the most beautiful and significant cultural sites and parks in Estonia. The park descends on both sides into a valley through which the Pühajõgi River flows. The picturesque landscape is captivating, and when viewed from the side of the former Oru Palace, the view of the sea follows a golden ratio: the elm trees, the park’s plantations, the maze of hedges, the slopes descending into the valley and the sea lapping in the distance form an idyllic scene.  

The historic park once belonged to the Russian merchant Grigory Yeliseyev, who built a summer palace for his family there in 1899. In the 1930s, three Estonian merchants bought the palace and donated it to Estonia’s first president, Konstantin Päts. The building was destroyed in the Second World War. 

Oru Park offers a wide range of activities and culture for all ages. There are playgrounds for children, outdoor trails and picnic areas. The park also offers a glimpse into the past by taking part in the VR Toila 1938 virtual tour.

 

 

Industrial history and Soviet architecture in a closed city 

20 kilometres east of Toila is the seaside town of Sillamäe. During the Soviet era, the town was closed and not even marked on maps. The Soviet town was built by prisoners of war and populated mostly by people trafficked from other parts of the Soviet Union. The pure Soviet architecture and local history make Sillamäe a unique urban destination and a living open-air museum. 

Sillamäe’s most famous and photographed feature is the grand park promenade that starts at the town square and descends towards the seafront. At the top, the promenade is framed by a square and a wide staircase, while the central part is dominated by imposing Stalinist buildings, charming plants and park benches. At the bottom of the promenade is a charming gazebo, flanked on both sides by the Sillamäe waterfront promenade. The promenade has an observation tower, playgrounds, rest areas, and an outdoor gym. 

The Sillamäe Museum is also worth a visit, with exhibitions on the history of the area and an exciting virtual reality tour in the courtyard. The new main exhibition “Mysterious Sillamäe” opened in June. 

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Eastern Estonia Estonian Nature Konstantin Päts Places to Visit in Estonia Sillamäe Toila Oru Park Valaste