The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Saaremaa, Saare County

The Kuressaare episcopal castle, also known as the Kuressaare Castle, was built in the 14th century. Today, the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum which is devoted to the island’s nature and history. A large part of the fun is exploring the warren of chambers, halls, passages and stairways, apt to fuel anyone’s fantasies. One room near the bishop’s chamber looks down to a dungeon where, according to legend, condemned prisoners were dispatched to be devoured by hungry lions (recorded growls reinforce the mental image). Legend also tells of a knight’s body found when a sealed room was opened in the 18th century, which has given rise to varying accounts of how he met his tragic fate. Upon discovery the knight’s body dissolved into dust but don’t worry, it’s since been re-created. There’s also interesting coverage of daily life under the USSR, including the interior of a typical apartment. On the top floor, the museum has wonderful views over the bay and surrounding countryside.

Kuressaare Castle-Fortress is built in the 14th century. Today, the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum. Saaremaa Museum is one of the oldest (founded in 1865) and biggest museums in Estonia and is visited by 70 000-80 000 people every year. As a county museum its main function is to preserve and strengthen the identity of Saaremaa as a region with extraordinary nature, history and culture. The museum tries to exhibit the essence of the castle and tells its story to the whole world.

Established in 1780 town graveyard together with chapels in classicistic style is under protection as architectural memory. Among the chapels the most beautiful are built in 1848 into main gates of the graveyard rooms with colonnade facade in the shape of little Greek temple. Graveyard itself is like a museum of sculpture and hammered art. Here we can see plenty of crypt graves covered with heavy stone plates and tasteful masterfully fine-tuned classicistic grave monuments that often have the shape of urn or vase all dating into first half of the 19th century.Interesting to know:In the graveyard there are the graves of four outstanding persons.

GoodKaarma is a unique ecofarm which makes organic soaps. In summer our doors are open to everyone. Our outdoor cafe offers drinks and snacks, while our gift shop has a wide range of interesting souvenirs, jewellery, soaps and more. Those interested can even take part in soap-making workshops!

In 1646 Livonian governor general Gabriel Oxenstierna had a primitive lighthouse – a beacon – built on a little island located at the tip of Sorve Peninsula. Autumn storms showed that the small island selected for the beacon was unsuitable and the beacon was relocated to the tip of Sorve Peninsula. A stone tower was established there in 1770, but it was destroyed in the Second World War. The present cone-shaped lighthouse of monolithic concrete was built in 1960.Interesting facts: • The height of Sorve Lighthouse from its foot is 52 metres and it is 53 metres above sea level.

Kaarma one-nave church was established in the second half of 13th century and was later rebuilt to be a two-nave church. Church is decorated with ornamental and figural fragments of frescos in secco technique that are the same age as initial church.Near pulpit You can see polychromous wooden sculpture of St.Joseph that belongs to Northern-German school.Interesting to know:First time on Saaremaa the supporting pillars were used in Kaarma churchThe eastern wall of church's chorus is decorated with rare in Estonia triple windowThe prototype for pulpit of Kaarma church was a pulpit of Lubeck church

Quaint village with windmills.