The island of Saaremaa in the Gulf of Riga, Estonia, and its capital Kuressaare; history, unique geological features, medieval architecture.

1. Saaremaa, the largest island off the West coast of Estonia Saaremaa is the largest island off the West coast of Estonia. With its windmills, medieval churches, limestone cliffs and rare wildlife – this is one of the most attractive destinations in Estonia. SAAREMAA ISLAND : A haven of tranquillity and a meteor crater.

4. Most of the island is flat. 56% of Saaremaa is covered by forest.

7. The Panga Pank (cliffs) on the northern shore of Saaremaa reach to a maximum of 21 meters high.

8. Kuressaare episcopal castle

27. The view from the castle towards the sea

28. In the center of the building from tooled dolomite bricks is a square courtyard, which is on the second and third floors surrounded by a closed cloister.

30. Convent’s chapel

40. Kuressaare (pop. 16 500)

41. In written records Kuressaare (Arensburg) market town was first mentioned in 1424

44. The House of the Nobility or Knighthood Building was built at the end of the 18th Century and today, it accommodates the County Government of Saaremaa.

46. Kuressaare town hall Northern Baroque style, with 2 stone lions at main door

52. Café Classic in the center of Kuressaare

59. The Weighhouse

61. The main characteristic of the small two story limestone building is in the strict symmetry in the architecture.

70. Kauba street

74. Chameleon café lounge, bank and shop on Kaube street

90. At the open air Market

93. Kuressare at night

103. The Lossi Hotel is located in front of the Bishop’s Castle

108. In summer, concerts take place in the square garden in front of the Kuursaal

110. Smoking sauna

112. The beach

114. The Järve beach Nice sandy beach about 15km from Kuressaare. About 8-kilometre long shore area is famous for its sand beach and dunes

115. Panga cliffs walk

119. Sörve lighthouse Sorve lighthouse

120. The Sõrve lighthouse is located in Sääre at the tip of the peninsula. The current structure dates from 1960 and is 52m high. There have been several previous wooden and stone lighthouses at this location.

121. Kaali crater , Estonia’s most unique geological feature.

122. The Kaali meteorite crater is the result of a meteorite impact possibly in 700 BC. It is about 110 meters wide and 20 meters deep. The crater walls are covered with trees and vegetation. A path around the rim of the crater allows you to observe it from all sides.

125. This event also played a role in the Estonian mythology. The former inhabitants of the island knew it as the "holy lake ", and archeological excavations show that this was the place of immolation for a period of many centuries. Kaali crater has an important place in Finnish mythology, and some viewed it as fabulous Thule that was described bu Pytheas, the greek explorer. The explosion that created these craters, scientists believe, could occur sometime in the Holocene. The explosion was apparently comparable to that which occurred after an explosion in Hiroshima.

127. Lake Kaali diameter varies from 30 to 60 meters

130. Angla Windmills

135. Built on stones and standing on a high post, the oldest type of windmills of Europe is characteristic of the West-Estonian islands

137. In winter

140. Valjala church

144. Concerts often take place here.

146. Karja Kirik (St. Catherine’s church)

147. St. Catherine in Karja is a towerless gothic church, built in the late 13th or early 14th century. It’s the sculptural decoration that makes the church a real jewel. Its portals, bosses and vaulting supports are decorated with superb High-Gothic stone decor.

152. Relief of the Golgotha scene

156. Kihelkonna Church Kihelkonna Church Kihelkonna Church The altarpiece, carved in 1591, has survived remarkably well. The tower is in fact the highest point in Saaremaa. Kihelkonna Church (13th century )

157. The first bell-tower was built during the 17th century, and is located some hundred meters away from the church. It is the Baltic countries’ only separately built and still standing bell-tower.

164. From Saarema to Muhu

169. Symbol of Muhu , this sign welcomes visitors to the island.

170. Liiva church (end of XIII cent.)

174. Church has no tower and was built between 1267-1280.

176. Koguva

182. The oldest building of Koguva - the barn of the Andruse Farm, situated in the center of the village

193. The museum is situated in the heart of the village. Tooma farmstead , with all outbuildings and farm equipment, is the heart of the museum.