In 1562, Walk (the old name of present-day Valga) along with the rest of Livonia was handed over to Poland as part of the ceasefire agreement of the Livonian War. The city rights of Valga were signed by Polish King Stefan Batory on June 11, 1584, based on his colonization policy. The king believed that land should be granted as hereditary property to new Catholic settlers (peasants, craftsmen, merchants) in Livonia and thereby strengthen Catholicism in Livonia.Therefore, there is a monument dedicated to Stefan Batory on Kesk Avenue in Valga, which was completed in 2002 as a joint effort of the city of Valga, and the Hungarian and Polish embassies.
You are greeted in Witch Country by senior witch Uhti, who will lead you to the Secret Witch's Trail. There you will encounter a range of obstacles and other surprises. Afterwards, while relaxing in the barbecue area, witch August will prepare something special for you. You can also cook something for yourself, and try a special witch potion. There are also games and competitions with prizes, and dancing with the witches themselves! The adventure lasts for around two hours and costs €200 for a group of up to 30 people. Every additional person costs €4.
Kirsi Farm is a cosy guesthouse in Setomaa, near Meremäe. The renovated farmhouse offers a comfortable stay for families. You can sleep in an old barn, a renovated livestock housing, or on hay in the loft. The rooms are decorated with photos of the hostess’s ancestors. There are also Seto folk costumes which you can try on. There is a camping and bonfire site, barbeque equipment, and a smoke sauna, where you can try making smoked meat with the host. Food in Kirsi Farm is made from local ingredients and some of the dishes are based on the family recipes of the hostess.
In the historic basement of Alatskivi Castle, a workshop led by a master potter awaits you, where you can sculpt cups, bowls, or other clay objects yourself. This experience combines creativity, craftsmanship, and the unique atmosphere of the manor. Book a workshop in advance! However, if you visit the castle with children and master Tanel is working at the same time, you can leave the children to sculpt in the pottery room—it's often the children's favorite activity at the manor! Tanel glazes the finished objects himself and sends them to your home by mail. Beautiful, one-of-a-kind objects sculpted by Tanel himself can be purchased as souvenirs. Take a refreshing, creative break in a pottery workshop at Alatskivi Castle!
The longest river in Estonia, the Võhandu River, is calm when it reaches Räpina, and therefore it was probably the most suitable place for building a unique mill complex comprising three mills.The flour mill is a massive stone building with a large winch on the top floor for lifting bags. The original doors and many other details integral to the overall design have been preserved. The flour mill was built at the end of the 18th century.
The architectural solution of Räpina children's kiosk is inspired by the book Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.In the past, the interior walls of the kiosk were decorated with humorous portraits of the seven dwarfs, which always generated excitement in younger guests. The Snow White kiosk brought joy to children and made Räpina a popular destination among visitors. The kiosk sold children's favourites – lemonade and sweets.The children's kiosk is no longer in operation and the house is usually empty. Its doors are opened on the day of Räpina home cafes.At other times, it is possible to explore the house and admire it from the outside.
The church was built of natural stone and bricks in 1907. Lithuanian and Polish railway workers were actively involved in building the church. The church operated until 1940 and from 1945, the building was used as a warehouse and later as a gym.The extension of the church was built in 1995 and the church was renovated. Interesting facts: * the church does not have a tower as the imperial government of Russia refused to give permission to build one.
In the vast territory of Elmari Farm there is a pond where you can enjoy water pleasures and ride on a raft. In the yard there are two barbeque sites and a smoker. For sauna pleasures there are a smoke sauna and barrel sauna and separate electric and infrared saunas in the house. In the 60-seat hall of the seminary house meetings can be held and festive occasions celebrated.