10 Sights & Landmarks in Hiiu County That You Shouldn't Miss

The church of Kardla was dedicated to John the Baptist and was constructed in 1863. It is the third church in Kardla.The barons of Emmaste, Suuremoisa and Putkaste were the initiators of the idea to build the church and gave the baron of Kardla 2000 roubles for that purpose. The workers of the cloth factory made voluntary donations and a part of the money for the construction was taken from the workers wages.It is an architecturally harmonic, typical hall church with an “open” bell tower crowning the western facade (unique in Estonia).The architecture of the stylish and beautiful church in Kardla is simple and ascetic. This architectural monument is one of the most distinguished working-class churches.

The 6-floor Windtower Experience center is a concept in a whirlwind that has collected the thrilling experiences of Hiiumaa. This center offers many exciting activities for big and small. Discover interactive games, admire exhibitions, learn the local humour. For crazy adrenaline-seekers, the Windtower has the tallest climbing wall in the Baltics, 20m high. There is also a fun café RUUDI. The dishes are simple yet delicious, and a little mysterious, the ingredients are local, and our people are awesome. RUUDI is a truly lovely place to spend time at.

Tahkuna Lighthouse is situated on the north end of Hiiumaa. The construction of the cast iron lighthouse began in 1873. The lighthouse is assembled of cast iron parts of so-called Gordon system. System is based on prefabricated details, that are easy to transport. That's the reason why this high tower was rather easy to build. Interesting to know:• Czaric Russia bought the lighthouse from the world exhibition of Paris in 1871.• It's the highest lighthouse in Estonia - 42,7 m above the sea level.

Bronze bell – a ship’s or soul bell that starts ringing by itself in a strong wind. With the movement of its cross-shaped pendulum in a storm, it seems a bring a message from the sea – a bell tower in a way … symbolically. The incline of the monument has a visual and emotional impact and should also call to mind the last moments of the ship. Tender details are also added to the bronze bell – four child faces on each of the main points of the compass.

The Ristna Lighthouse is located on the Ristna northern cape, which is relatively close to the Kopu Lighthouse, which is built on a rise in the middle of bogs and is therefore often concealed by fog. This was also the reason that the Ristna Lighthouse was built. It was ordered from France in 1873 and started working in 1874. A 7-pood copper bell was also installed in the lighthouse.

Kassari chapel is a building with romantic appearance that is the only functioning thatched-roof stone church in Estonia. Reputedly it dates back to 18th century because on the inner wall of the chapel there is a year 1801 that is associated with big repair. In the graveyard there are the graves of many famous people - the ancestors of the poets M. Under and D. Vaarandi; the actor Olev Eskola; familiar from V.Panso book "The Funny Person" Lepa Anna. Familiar from art, literature and folk tales the name of Villem Tamm, whom J. Koler used as a model for Christ when painting his work "Come to me" in Kaarli church.

The history of the lighthouse began over 500 years ago when a landmark was needed by the Hanseatic League in the first place, as their merchants were complaining about ships disappearing in the Baltic Sea. The highest hill (68 m) of Hiiumaa, the Tornimagi, became the location of the lighthouse.In 1531 a massive stone tower was erected.Interesting to know:• Kopu is the third oldest constantly active lighthouse worldwide• In 1660 iron stairs were constructed on the outer wall of the tower.• In 1810 a staircase was built inside the tower

A post mill with a classic wooden structure. The base of the mill is made of rocks without binder. The mill has a board roof covering and its body has horizontal boarding. It was built in the second half of the 19th century. Two post mills have been preserved in Harju village (Nomme and Ratsepa).

Scrolls mention Suursadam harbor for the first time as Saare Sadam (Serle Ham) in 1593. In 1680 Dutchman Erasmus Jacobson built a bigger ship-building concern in Suursadama harbor. There were lime-furnaces nearby. The production of these lime-furnaces was sent to many ports of the Baltic Sea.In 1848 a 358-ton bark (ship), "Hioma", was built in this harbor. This sailboat was the biggest boat in Estonia in the 19th century. "Hioma" was the first sailboat that sailed over the equator in 1854 and around Kap Hoorn into the Pacific Ocean.A big storehouse has been taken under protection as an architectural monument.