MOST POPULAR PLACES IN TÕRVA
Wagenküll Castle Spa
- Taagepera küla, Tõrva vald, 68502 Taagepera, Estonia
- https://www.wagenkull.ee/en/wagenkull/
Wagenküll is a leisurely way of holiday thinking. Wagenküll is comfort, treatments, good food, absorbing activities and free time in the middle of nature. This is the newly renovated Taagepera Castle complex – a unique, culturally significant area which includes an art nouveau castle, an à la carte restaurant, a luxurious castle spa, a 1930s style hotel, restaurant, sports and recreation opportunities.
Ruins of Helme Order Castle
- Helme, 68608 Valga County
The ruins of Helme Order Castle are situated on a steep slope by the Pärnu-Valga road. The castle is thought to have been built in the first half of the 14th century. Parts of its walls with their distinctive window openings remain standing today. Legend has it that a young virgin was entombed within its walls in order to further strengthen it – whether there is any truth to the story is up to visitors to decide! Over the centuries the castle has been governed by Germans, Russians, Lithuanians and finally Swedes – who destroyed it in 1658.
Did you know…?
*In the valley below the castle is the Doctor’s Spring, whose waters are said to cure seven different ailments.
Helme caves
- Helme, 68608 Valga County
Located in the manor park of the same name, the Helme caves, are an unrivaled sight in Estonia. Situated to the north of castle ruins, the caves have a white Burtniek layer of sandstone walls standing 3 m high. Unfortunately for cave lovers though, some of the better known caves have already collapsed. Once comprised of seven interlinked chambers, the biggest of which was known as the Church of Moses. Peppered with springs, the caves have a long history; and over the years they have been dug out and used as shelters when needed.
Did you know…?:
In ancient times the Helme caves were also known locally as the gateway to Hell. Kivialune (under the rocks) was a shelter for Old Estonians during the wars.
Lake Vanamõisa
Both locals and visitors from afar like to spend the summer by Lake Vanamõisa in Tõrva. The lake is on the edge of town by the Tõrva-Pikasilla road. The area of the lake is about 2 hectares and it is up to 10.5 metres deep. The main attraction is the highest diving tower in Estonia (about 11 metres). You can buy soft drinks and ice cream from the beach and a coastguard keeps an eye on the swimmers. You can lie on the sand or rest on the boardwalk or bridges, play volleyball and there are also swings for the children. There is an outhouse and cabins where you can change clothes. Useful information: You can park your car at the parking lot of the Tõrva Secondary School and walk the 200 m to the lake.
Barclay de Tolly Mausoleum
- Jõgeveste, 68616 Valga County
Barclay de Tolly mausoleum is one of the 21 places in Southern Estonia worth discovering which are marked by a yellow National Geographic window; if you love culture and nature, a visit is highly recommended. Field Marshal de Tolly, whose final resting place is in Estonia, is one of the most famous people related to Estonia and probably the greatest Russian military leader. The Russian commander who came from a Baltic aristocratic family with Scottish roots played an important part in the Napoleonic wars between 1812 and 1814. Barclay de Tolly’s name has been related to Jõgeveste since 1791 when he married Helene Auguste Eleanore von Smitten and became the owner of the Jõgeveste manor.
Hummuli manor and park
- Pargi 2, Hummuli, 68410 Valga maakond
Hummuli manor was first mentioned in 1470. It was bought by Ermes von Berg in 1914. Since he took himself the Finnish citizenship Estonian state did not expropriate the manor. Something which had happened to the majority of the Baltic German manors. From 1930 the manor is accommodated by a school.
