Things to do in Laane-Viru County, Laane-Viru County: The Best Monuments & Statues

If you’re tired from exploring the museums and traipsing up and down Vallimägi hill, the best place to take the weight off your feet is Rakvere’s central square, which was constructed in 2004. Kids will have fun running around on the bumps and other features and riding the toy animals. The contemporary bus pavilion, the yellow domes in the square and the fountain create a modern and interesting atmosphere.Did you know…?*The central square in Rakvere has been home to a sculpture dedicated to honorary citizen Arvo Pärt entitled 'Young man on bicycle listening to music' since 11 September 2010

Rakvere’s monument to the War of Independence was unveiled on 30 August 1925. Its six-stage terraced concrete base was produced by master builder Reinhold Veigel under the direction of construction engineer Ferdinand Gustav Adoff. The bronze forms were cast in Italy based on models produced by Amandus Adamson. The monument reaches a height of 8.5 metres, while the bronze forms stand approximately 2 metres tall. The original monument was destroyed in autumn 1940; this copy was erected on 30 August 1992. The artists who created the replica are sculptor Lembit Palm and architect Kuno Raude. It was restored in 2004.

The Tarvas sculpture was unveiled in 2002 to mark the 700th anniversary of Rakvere. Situated close to the Order Castle on Vallimagi hill, Tarvas is 7 metres long, stands 4 metres high and weighs 7 tonnes. He stands on a granite base bearing the coat of arms of Rakvere, a brief history of the town in Estonian, Swedish, German, Danish, Polish and Russian and the names of sculpture’s sponsors.

This monument was erected to one of the most important figures of Estonia’s national awakening, the Rakvere-born teacher and playwright Juhan Kunder, and unveiled on the 50th anniversary of his death in 1938.In order to begin raising money for the monument, the city council of Rakvere set aside 10,000 marks in its 1924 budget – the equivalent today of 100 kroons. The monument was completed to R. Haavamagi’s designs on 24 April 1938. It is located on the street bearing Kunder’s name.

The memorial stone to Kongla Ann, who lived in Mahu parish, can be found close to the Viru-Nigula church. She was a woman put to death as a witch by foreign powers in 1640. The memorial, referred to by locals as the Witch's Stone, was erected by the Viru-Nigula Heritage Protection Society and local pagans in 1990, 350 years since her execution. It is a doffing of the hat to all free-thinkers during the Awakening.

Born in Joepere and schooled in Rakvere, Kreutzwald was a man of Virumaa and the creator of Estonia’s national epic ‘Kalevipoeg’.Action to erect a monument to him was launched in 1937 on the 55th anniversary of his death, and funds were raised throughout Virumaa from donations and celebrations. Designed by Aleksander Eller, the monument was officially unveiled in 1938 and restored in 1981.

The Okaskroon (‘crown of thorns’) monument was erected in 1991 in remembrance of those deported from Rakvere to Siberia. It was designed by A. Murdmaa.

Estonians consider their mother tongue both beautiful and dignified, which led to the idea to express their respect for Estonian by erecting a monument. Led by journalist Rein Sikk and funded by donations, the monument to Estonian was opened next to Kadrina school on 21 May 1994. Inscribed on a slab of rock in the shape of the stylized head of the rooster from the traditional Estonian ABC book are the words "Sona seob" (Words unite) -- the idea of linguist Mart Mager. Interesting to know: - the monument to Estonian is believed to be the only such shrine to a language.