Mythic Saaremaa (part 1) – 2-day tour to the most secret and special sites in Saaremaa

The tour introduces picturesque places of nature entwined with mythical and holy threads in the central, north-western and southern parts of Saaremaa. We tell you about the mythical ancient time, ancient fight for liberty, about Kalevs and Kalevs’ virgins, Tõll the Great and Piret, Odin and Thor, Kaali Lake, magic and casting magic spells, and also of Saaremaa churches and St. Katherine. During the tour we sing archaic Kalevala rhyming songs in order to experience best the peculiarity and primeval nature of the sites by our seven senses. During the tour, when being in a location with utmost importance, we experience merging with nature with the help of a trainer. We merge with the ancient history of the location via song rhythms and sounds in order to create a bridge to the Golden Age of our forefathers.

Day 1

• Departure from Tallinn at 7:30 in the morning.
• Karja Church. One of the most peculiar and oldest churches in Saaremaa, Estonia and Northern Europe. There are many ancient signs and symbols in the church. North – North- Eastern Saaremaa.
• Lunch break in Leisi Village. Lunch is provided in a catering facility called Sassimaja. North Saaremaa.
• Pöitse Springs. There are about 5 springs there, one of which is known as a sacrifice spring. North Saaremaa.
• Pelisoo Hill (Pelisoomägi). High bank where, according to legends, witches gathered magic herbs and it is possible that it was also their regular meeting place. In the southern part of the hill there is a mystical ship-shaped plain. One of the highest, steepest, special and mystic places in Saaremaa. Down the hill, towards the south-west there is an idyllic oak grove. Central North-Western Saaremaa.
• Türiseniidi Stone. One of the biggest and attractive boulders in the north-western part of Saaremaa. The height of the boulder is 4 m, the circumference is 21.2 m. North-Western Saaremaa.
• Võhma ringwall. A ringwall complex surrounded by several circles of big quarry stones. Allegedly it was a holy place in ancient times. North- Western Saaremaa.
• Panga Cliff. An ancient holy place by the sea. Related to a mythological character Mareta. In ancient times people came here to celebrate Mareta’s Day related to fertility, successful cattle breeding and worshipping the sun. North-Western Saaremaa.
• Pidula Stronghold or place of worship. Located near Pidula Manor. Consist of two walls (the older outer stone wall and the inner bigger ringwall made of stone and earth). Ancient trees grow around and on the middle wall. North- Western Saaremaa.
• Odalätsi Springs. Holy springs connected with the legends of Tõll the Great and Old Nick. North-Western Saaremaa.

• Arrival at the accommodation facility in Kuralase Village (North-Western Saaremaa) at about 20.00. Place of accommodation is Loode Tourist Farm (http://www.loodetalu.ee)

Day 2
• 8.00-9.00 Breakfast
• Ancient fields of Kurevere Village (burial site, worship stones, ancient landscape). One of the biggest and distinguished burial sites of Saaremaa and entire Estonia. North – Western Saaremaa.
• Odalätsi or Kihelkonna Stronghold. The place of the ancient stronghold, with its majestic pine-covered sand walls in Odalätsi dunes. North- Western Saaremaa.
• Kuressaare. Visitation of Kuressaare Episcopal Castle and St. Lawrence Church of Kuressaare on one’s own. In the church you can see an ancient baptismal decorated with dragons and other mythological creates from the former Anseküla old church dating back to 14th century. Lunch at Mardi hostel.
• Pühatu Springs. One of the most famous and beautiful sites of springs, place of sacrifice. In ancient times people from all over Saaremaa came to sacrifice here. South Saaremaa.
• Kaali Crater. A lake in a meteorite crater with rich mythological heritage, surrounded by deciduous grove and ancient ringwall. Central South Saaremaa.
• Kõljala Holy Grove. Old oak grove, at places ancient forest with random woodland. According to the ancient Nordic epic the holy horn of Heimdallr is hidden into the holy grove. As the word horn means a horn in the Old Norwegian language and the letter r in the Old Norwegian language is the unofficial suffix , therefore the world Gjalla (from Gjallarhorn) and Kõlja (place name Kõljala) are very similar. Central South Saaremaa.
• Arrival in Tallinn at about 22.30.

COST OF THE TOUR: 130 EUR (regular price) and 115 EUR (pensioner, pupil and student). Extra price for pre-school children (please ask for the price). Further information and registration: Marek Laimets, phone: +372 56 659 543, e-mail: marek@ajamatkad.ee.
The size of the bus depends on the number of participants.
The price includes:
– the bus
– the tour guide and the training of nature perception
– the ferry crossing
– the accommodation in Loode Tourist Farm and breakfast

For extra fee:
– generous dinner at Loode Tourist Farm. Cost 10 EUR. Please book in advance!
– smoke sauna. Cost for the entire evening 130 EUR.