Magical Saaremaa
Saaremaa is unique in the whole of Europe. Saaremaa is magical. Even the journey to Saaremaa is special and relaxing – a sea trip or a convenient flight will help you get in the holiday mood. The local people, traditions and customs are special. This has possibly been the case ever since our meteorite hit the ground here...
Local therapeutic mud.
The mud from Mullutu Suurlaht has a mineral composition which makes it the most beneficial mud in Estonia. This sedimentary sea mud is effectively used to prevent and treat many diseases.
Premium spa services.
The three different hotels in the Saaremaa Spa Hotels chain offer a full package of medical and wellness spa services to satisfy all kinds of various needs – from a business meeting to a family holiday. Guests can enjoy the water park, golfing, the a la carte dinners, tours and much more. Membership in the European Spas Association (ESPA) guarantees that the services offered to each guest meet European standards.
Unique nature.
Saaremaa has a uniqueness which is admired all over Europe and which is primarily the result of the location and isolation of Saaremaa as an island. The mild marine climate and the calcareous soil mean that the flora and fauna on Saaremaa and on the nearby islands are very varied. More than two hundred of the species which are present here – from the Saaremaa Rhinanthus to the ringed seal – are under protection. Also, in Saaremaa, you can see the burgundy snails (rare elsewhere in Estonia), rare butterfl ies and beautiful plants from the orchid family.
Mineral water with a unique composition.
Kuressaare-2 mineral water is water bored from Saaremaa Spa Hotels own land, from a 502-metre deep well. The weak alkaline water is slightly salty. Each litre contains 2.13 grams of minerals and microelements which are essential for the body; these give the water therapeutic qualities that help to treat many diseases.
The cosmic meteor crater.
Lake Kaali is a unique geological phenomenon in European terms. In 1937, scientists found 30 iron meteorites which confirmed their assumption that this was a group of meteor craters. The fall of the meteorite itself and the creation of the lake are thought to have happened in around 700 BC.
Kuressaare episcopal castle and old town.
The castle which dates from the 13th Century has been very well preserved and as such is unique in all of the Baltic countries. There is also the Kurhaus (the resort club house), the knighthood building, the weigh-house, Kudjape cemetery, and many other historic gems.
Sweet sourdough rye bread, smoked fish and homebrewed beer.
These are the traditional folk symbols of Saaremaa, in addition to the well known old windmills. There is proof that the locals already knew how to brew beer in the 13th Century, before the Germans conquered Saaremaa. There is a documented mention of local beer which claims that in 1284 the Bishop of Saaremaa ordered a peasant to pay a tithe on the “wine brewed from barley” (ie. beer).
The magnificent Viidumäe Nature Reserve and Vilsandi National Park.
In addition to these areas of outstanding beauty, there are approximately a hundred protected sites in Saaremaa – parks, high cliffs, tall trees, boulders and unique swamps.
Romantic Angla windmills.
This is a hill with several windmills, preserved in their historic appearance. All of the village’s mills were built on this high place, open to the winds. In 1925, there were as many as nine windmills here; today you can see fi ve which are still equally impressive.
Old Muhu Church.
This is located on Muhu Island which is just north of Saaremaa. The church was built in the 13th Century and was restored in 1980. In the choir room, visitors can see fragments of murals which are thought to date from the 13th Century. The Renaissance-era pulpit, dating from the 17th Century, is one of the oldest in Saaremaa.