What to do and see in Ida-Viru County, Ida-Viru County: The Best Free Things to do

The Oru Park and grand palace in the beautiful valley of the Puhajogi River was built by Grigori Jelissejev – one of the wealthiest men in 19th century Russia. In 1935, three industrialists bought the palace and park and presented it to President Pats for his summer residence. The palace was totally destroyed during the Second World War. Today you can walk in the well-marked and well-maintained park, look at various species of trees and shrubs, explore the Silver Spring Cave, as well as enoy the sea view and the sunset from the petrel nest. Interesting fact: the Oru Park Promenade organized annually in August has become a tradition.

The Crucifixion of Our Lord church in Johvi was completed in 1895 as part of the plan of Estonian governor Shakhovskoy to make Johvi the centre of the Russian Orthodox faith in the north-east of the country. The nearby Puhtitsa convent of the Dormition of the Mother of God, known to locals as the Kuremae convent, was also founded by nuns who came to Johvi. Built in Historicist style from natural stone and red brick, the church is open to visitors every day in summer.Did you know…?*The Crucifixion of Our Lord church in Johvi was the first place of work of the young Aleksei Mihhailovitš Ridiger – who would go on to become Aleksius II, patriarch of all Russia.

Northern suburb of Narva, located on the coast of Finnish Gulf with a pleasant sandy beach.

Estonia’s highest limestone cliff, the Ontika cliff that is up to 55 metres high, is like a stone nature book, revealing the layers of various eras to the viewer. The best place to see the cliff is from the observation platform built near the Valaste cascade. Or take a hike along the coastal hiking trail to discover the unique forest on the limestone cliff. Interesting facts: - The Ontika Limestone cliff is the highest part of the over 1,100-km-long Baltic limestone bank that starts in Sweden on the Island of Oland and ends in Russia near Lake Ladoga. – The limestone cliff runs 23 kilometres from the Village of Saka to the vicinity of Toila, thus being the longest uninterrupted part of the cliff.

This is Narva’s oldest part, an example of park architecture from the end of the 19th century. Located on the Victoria Bastion. There are two memorials in the park and its environs. The first is the iron cross erected on the Victoria Basion in 1853 in memory of the Russian soldiers that died during the Siege of Narva in the Great Northern War. The second memorial marks the graves of soldiers that died in the War of Independence in November 1918.

Narva's cascades are situated on the premises of the former Kreenholm factory. They have been flowing through the area for thousands of years, but in the early '50s a reservoir was constructed on Narva River and a new river bed was dug out for a hydroelectric power station in Ivangorod to supply Leningrad (now St Petersburg). The station allows water from the reservoir through its turbines out via the cascades during the high water season in spring, which is when you can admire their beauty from the Estonian side of the border. They can be admired two times per year in total in the Narva Canyon nature reserve.Did you know...?*Trips to view the cascades are organised by Narva Museum

It was built in 1890-1896 for the orthodox workers of Kreenholm Manufactory. The architect was Pavel Alis. Architectural solution comes from Byzantine tradition. Belltower is 28,8 m high. Church's walls and dome are made of local bricks. Rides, stairways and ornaments are made of Finnish granite. There is room for 2000 people. You can see three part iconostasis and 17th century’s Christ’s crucifix. Good to know: on year 1944 during the second world war, the bombing of the city left only the church untouched.

The Astri centre is the largest shopping and entertainment complex in Narva. It boasts more than 50 different stores and is home to the 3 screens of Forum Cinemas Astri. It also has a fast food restaurant and two bars. There is an exciting playroom for children where parents can leave their little ones in the care of professional child minders. The underground car park is one of the biggest in the city. The Astri centre was designed not only as a place to shop with an extensive choice of stores, but also as a great place for people to meet and spend time together. Fashion brands like H&M, Newyorker, Reserver, Lindex etc

Monument reminds battles of World War II and indicates breakthrough of Soviet forces. Narva’s tank is the only such memorial, being exhibited in Estonia until this time.