The central square of Võru, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, is unique for its urban furniture. The word furniture originates from the Latin word mobilis – movable. Today, the square is in constant transformation, reflecting the character of different events – sometimes it's a market square, at other times a concert hall, and in winter, a magical Christmas land. The central square is the historical heart of Võru, surrounded by the Government House (1938), the Lutheran St. Catherine’s Church (1793), the grammar school building (the oldest house in the city, 18th century), the fire station (1900), the Apostolic St. Catherine’s Church (1804), and the bank building (1938). The renewed central square was opened in 2019, designed by architect Villem Tomiste. Taking a step onto the square brings you into a space where past and present blend seamlessly. There’s room here for both reflection and liveliness – for meeting old friends, spending time with family, or simply being in the moment. Võru’s central square is more than just a plaza – it’s a living meeting place that invites everyone to pause, enjoy, and experience. Come to the heart of Võru – to where the city lives and breathes.
The best way to encounter the Tindioru water rams is to embark on an exciting hike along the Rõuge primeval valley trail.The water ram is a "perpetual motion" pump that uses only the energy of water and is capable of pumping water to heights of tens of meters. There are two water rams in Tindioru: the first was built in 1939 and the second in 2002. The Tindioru water rams are rare tools that combine smart engineering and the interplay of natural forces. They can be considered a kind of symbol of Rõuge's inventive spirit — a time when everything had to be built by hand and in harmony with nature. When the ice-cold spring water starts to make the ram buzz, the whole valley seems to come to life. The sight is particularly enchanting in early spring, when the cold has shaped the water ram's splashes into tall and marvelous ice sculptures. Glittering in the sunlight, they appear like fairy tale castles emerging from the earth. The Tindioru water rams are a living memory of a time when water was man's main source of energy — and proof that genius lies in simplicity.
The Estonian Road Museum showcases the development of roads and traffic in Estonia, from the horse era to the present day. Exciting thematic events are organized here, educational guided tours are offered, and rooms are rented for seminars and celebrations. The heart of the museum is the historic Varbuse horse post station, which, together with the outdoor exhibition environment Teeaeg, forms a unique look at history. The Machine Hall is the museum's technical park and interactive traffic education center. It also houses a rotating car and the Estonian Road Museum's traffic safety simulator, which offers an immersive experience and a clear understanding of how seat belts save lives. The standout features of the outdoor areas are the historic road room, where you can seemingly travel back in time, and the recreation area with a traffic city, which offers activities for the whole family, especially during the summer season. Temporary exhibitions are held in the main building of the post station, and the second floor houses a children's museum created specifically for younger visitors.
Rubina is the largest and best-preserved bog in the Mulgimaa area and is an area of great value to nature enthusiasts for its many bird species.A hike through Rubina's beauty, from the moss-covered marshlands; to a picnic lunch on a bog island covered in gigantic trees, is a hike is spent surrounded by a serene marshy landscape. Sightseeing through the many waterbodies of the bog and its swamp islands full of animal and bird life, is an enjoyable experience that can last up 3-4 hours and covers up to 6 km. Everyone who can enjoy a winter walk, can walk with bogshoes in the swamp as well.Groups for this excursion start from 10 people.This is an EHE product (Genuine and Interesting Estonia tourism service mark).
Church of Blessed Virgin Mary in Torma is a late baroque trapezoidal aisleless church. The completed church was blessed in 1767 and in 1868, it was made more pseudogothic.There is a cup-shaped pulpit and people compare it to Noah’s ship. Services are held at the Church of Blessed Virgin Mary in Torma every Sunday at 11 a.m.
Räpina polder on the banks of Lake Lämmijärv is a bird-nesting area of international importance. It is a place of nesting and migrating through for many protected bird species. Of the species that nest here, the prominent ones from the perspective of bird protection are corn crake, black tern and little gull, to whom the Räpina polder is one of the best areas in Estonia. Of the migratory birds, the most important species are crane and white-fronted goose. The polder is an important place of nesting and stopping also for waterfowls and Charadriiformers. Up to 1.5 million birds pass through this area during the migration period. The area is the most important assembling area of migratory birds in Eastern Estonia. There are watchtowers for bird watching.
Sõmerpalu in Võru County is home to Europe's biggest stationary indoor motorcross hall, the Adrenalin Arena, which provides reasonably priced and comfortable year-round training and competition facilities for professionals, amateurs and enthusiasts alike. We are constantly organising motocross-themed and other special events; our spacious stands are a perfect place for watch the events.You can book motocross trainings, rent bikes and visit the motocross museum of MTÜ Sõmerpalu Motoklubi; there, the trophies, pictures and bikes that were used to win the trophies by sportsmen trained by Sõmerpalu Motoklubi, including the ones of the brothers Leok (racing drivers), are on display.
Adavere manor was first mentioned in records in the second half of the 17th century. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Adavere was under the rule of Põltsamaa castle, which governed all of the surrounding land and villages as the most important town in Central Estonia.Its massive slate main building was constructed between 1892 and 1893. The complex also includes outbuildings erected in the late 19th century – a workers' cottage and a barn with a drying shed. Manor park (dating from the 1740s) was one of the grandest in Estonia in its day, although little remains of its glory today. Good to know:* Today, the building is home to Adavere Basic School. During winter, you can go skating in the skating rink on the school stadium.* The manor can only be viewed from the outside.