The 10 Best Sights & Landmarks in Rakvere, Laane-Viru County

If you’re tired from exploring the museums and traipsing up and down Vallimägi hill, the best place to take the weight off your feet is Rakvere’s central square, which was constructed in 2004. Kids will have fun running around on the bumps and other features and riding the toy animals. The contemporary bus pavilion, the yellow domes in the square and the fountain create a modern and interesting atmosphere.Did you know…?*The central square in Rakvere has been home to a sculpture dedicated to honorary citizen Arvo Pärt entitled 'Young man on bicycle listening to music' since 11 September 2010

Medieval adventure! If you come to visit us you will arrive to the 16th century! We have a thematic park where children and grownups can enjoy the day, wear knight and warrior clothes, play games and study the life of medieval people. One of the main reasons to come and visit Rakvere Castle are the Chambers. Torture Chamber, Chamber of Death and HELL. Worth of visit is also Red Lights street, Medieval Brothel, Barber shop and Alchemic room. Quests are welcoming also different animals and the gloriest of them al is a Donkey called Mickens!

Lasila Manor is best known for the von Baers, who were the lords of the manor in the early 19th century. World-famous biologist Karl Ernst von Baer spent his childhood here. The manor later belonged to the von Ungern-Sternbergs and the von Rentelns. Today it is home to Lasila School. The building can be viewed from the outside at any time, while the interior can be explored as part of the Forgotten Manors game in summer. Did you know...?*In the manor park you will find the memorial stone to Karl Ernst von Baer, and in Baer Tower in the manor house itself you can find out all about von Baer's life.

The Rakvere Secondary School building on Freedom Square is one of the best examples of functional school architecture and the pre-war work of architect Alar Kotli, who studied here. The building was constructed between 1936 and 1938. One of the most impressive rooms in the school is its hall, which is adorned by a traditional dark timber ceiling and chandeliers. The building can be viewed from the outside, while the hall can be accessed during school concerts.Did you know...? - This is one of the first schools in Estonia to have had a separate hall and gymnasium- A number of famous Estonians have studied here, including world-renowned composer Arvo Part, who graduated in 1954

The market building by the central square of Rakvere was designed by the civil engineer Ferdinand Gustav Adoff and built in 1926–1928. The market building is one of the most important buildings in the architecture of Rakvere. The strong articulation and colours are characteristic of the construction style of the 1920s. The market was north of the building and fairs were held south of the building. There is no market in the building today, but different shops and offices. The Rakvere Tourist Information Centre is also here.Useful information:- Rakvere Market Building is one of the most presentable market buildings in Estonia.

Rakvere’s monument to the War of Independence was unveiled on 30 August 1925. Its six-stage terraced concrete base was produced by master builder Reinhold Veigel under the direction of construction engineer Ferdinand Gustav Adoff. The bronze forms were cast in Italy based on models produced by Amandus Adamson. The monument reaches a height of 8.5 metres, while the bronze forms stand approximately 2 metres tall. The original monument was destroyed in autumn 1940; this copy was erected on 30 August 1992. The artists who created the replica are sculptor Lembit Palm and architect Kuno Raude. It was restored in 2004.

The German military cemetery is the final resting place of soldiers who served and fought as part of the German forces in World War II. The names, ranks, dates of birth and details of the demise of the soldiers are listed at the cemetery. There is also a memorial to the soldiers and to all victims of war.

The Tarvas sculpture was unveiled in 2002 to mark the 700th anniversary of Rakvere. Situated close to the Order Castle on Vallimagi hill, Tarvas is 7 metres long, stands 4 metres high and weighs 7 tonnes. He stands on a granite base bearing the coat of arms of Rakvere, a brief history of the town in Estonian, Swedish, German, Danish, Polish and Russian and the names of sculpture’s sponsors.

A church in the Old Russian style. The church contains the holy remains of the martyred priest Sergei Florinski, which are the only public holy remains in Estonia. The church is place for pilgrimage in the Russian Orthodox Church.