Otepää is like the cradle of the blue, black and white flag of Estonia – the current national flag of Estonia was consecrated and blessed here on 4 June 1884. First of all, the flag was used by Estonian students, then it became the national flag of Estonia and when the Republic of Estonia was created, the colours blue, black and white were declared the national colours. The concept of the museum came from Pastor of the Otepää Maarja (St Mary’s) Congregation of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Jüri Stepanov (02.03.1952-17.06.2008), who was also in charge of its establishment. The Estonian Flag Room was opened in the Otepää Rectory on 23 December 1996 to illustrate the story of the black, blue and white flag that is so important for Estonians.
The 9 km Pühajärv-Kääriku exercise track starts by the car park of Pühajärv Spa Hotel. The track runs along the shores of Lake Pühajärv to the Murrumets forest. Once the track leaves the forest behind, it meets the road, where you have to look out for traffic. It then runs on to Kääriku along the Otepää-Kääriku road. There are some steep inclines along the track, which means that inexperienced cyclists and rollerbladers will need to be very careful.In winter, when there is enough natural snow, you can ski on the trail.
The Kaljupealse campfire site is located on the banks of the Võhandu River, in a beautiful pine forest. The riverside and high banks offer a beautiful view of the Võhandu River and sand outcrops. The campfire site has a roofed table and benches, a roofed grill, and firewood. The place is ideal for campers, fishing enthusiasts, and as a resting point for guests coming here with boats.Along the high sandy shores, through a beautiful pine forest, there is an unmarked hiking trail where you can enjoy beautiful views of nature or pick berries and mushrooms.
A monument to those, who fell in the War of Independence, was opened in Misso on 26 May 1935, and the activities of the 1st cavalry regiment in the battles of the War of Independence were immortalised. The monument was demolished in 1945.The reconstructed monument was reopened on 27 August 1989. The granite pillar placed on a base of quarry-stones is 2.5 m tall. Its main side has the symbol of the cavalry unit along with the text “Here, the 1st cavalry regiment fought in the War of Independence on 19 April 1919”. In front of the monument, there are six granite plates with the names of those that fell.A monument to World War II is erected only a few steps from the Monument to the War of Independence.
Siksälä Vesiveski holiday home is located among the lakes and forests of Misso Rural Municipality and offers accommodation for families and groups in a holiday home completed in 2016, surrounded by nature.The house has a large dining room with a fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, a sauna, a washroom and a WC. It does not have a TV, internet or a clock.Hiking around the lake, you can spot wild animals. Nearby, you find Lakes Hino and Mustjärv.
We will be fishing on the River Võhandu, the western shore of Lake Lämmijärv or on Lake Peipus around Piirissaare. The fishing trips on a four-seater motorboat take place with an experienced boat captain and a fisherman. We will take along safety equipment.The prices start from 100 euros per day.You should take along your own fishing equipment, but we can also rent it for an extra fee. If you want to fish on your own, we can rent fishing rods and four-seater boats with safety equipment.
In this workshop, you will make a simple notebook with recycled cardboard covers, printed and bound by yourself. We will provide you with all the materials you need to make the notebook. During the workshop, you will get a brief insight into the world of letterpress printing and bookbinding. You can print a picture of your choice on the front cover with linocut or metal blocks using a nearly 170-year-old printing press. We will hand-stitch the blank pages between the printed covers. You will end up with a simple but useful notebook that you can take home with you!
Weightlifter Alfred Neuland (1895-1966) who was born in Valga is the first Estonian Olympic Champion. He returned with a gold medal from the Antwerp Olympic Games in 1920. He was also successful at the Paris Olympic Games where he won the silver medal.Interesting facts: * sculptor Mati Karmin is the author of the bronze bust; * Hermann Lerchenbaum, the first Estonian known to have taken part in Olympic Games as a member of the US Navy's rowing team at the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens, was also born in Valga.