The 10 Best Things to do in Paide, Jarva County

Matsimae Puhajarv is a lake in Jarva County which is 5.5 hectares in area and 8.1 metres deep. The eastern shore of the lake is sandy, and here you will find a State Forest Management Centre recreation area and campsite. The rest of the lake is surrounded by bogs and pine trees. A hiking trail measuring 7.5 km starts (and ends) here that leads to Simisalu. The trail boasts excellent views over the diverse landscape of the Korvemaa area.

The grand early classicist mansion of Sargvere Manor that also has some baroque features was completed in 1765.The manor building was used by the Sargvere Basic School from 1920 to 2002. The manor has been in the use of the Sargvere Society for Promotion of Rural Culture since 2003. Four history rooms have been set up at the initiative of the Society that introduce the history of Sargvere Manor, the school and surrounding villages.You can only visit the manor by appointment.

Building of the Paide Order Castle started in 1265. Local white limestone was used to build the castle. The first building on Vallimagi Hill was the octagonal Tall Hermann Tower, which was destroyed by the retreating Red Army in 1941. The tower was restored for the 650th anniversary of the St George's Night Uprising in 1993.Interesting facts:The stronghold established in Paide was the second castle built by the order in the territory of Estonia after Viljandi.Paide Vallitorn became the symbol of Paide Town and Jarva County and is depicted on their coats of arms.There is a memorial on Paide Vallimagi Hill to the four Estonian elders executed during the uprising.

Jarvamaa Museum was found in 1905. Through ages Jarvamaa museum was located in different buildings. In 1950-s the former veterinary clinic in Paide Lembitu park was adjusted for museum building. The permanent exhibition about the county was opened in 1956. Nowadays museum still functions in the same building.You can visit Jarvamaa museum in Paide from Tuesday till Saturday.Interesting to know:- The jewel of the permanent exhibition is the consisting of 200 objects interior of the Paide old pharmacy that was donated in 1912.- The biggest collection of Jarvamaa museum is the photograph collection. Collection has the oldest Estonian daguerreotype.

The first Paide Limestone Days were held in 1996 and they developed into a tradition. Artists are given natural limestone to work with and create a piece of art. The sculptures are set up in Paide Town.Interesting facts:The best known sculptures are Limestone Symphony on the corner of Kitsas and Vaike-Aia Streets, which marks the birthplace of famous composer Arvo Part and the Hitchhiker on Tallinn Road that greets visitors of the town.You can get a map from Paide Tourist Information Centre that helps you find these sculptures.

Paide has had a church since the 13th century. It was initially located in the order stronghold and later also downtown, next to the main square. The church that was consecrated in 1786 perished in a fire in 1845. A new church with neo-baroque features that is still standing today was built with the support of the townspeople from 1847 to 1848.Interesting facts:Paide Holy Cross Church is unique among Estonian churches because its tower is not located on the western side but in the middle, on the southern side.

Paide Town Hall is a building with a late art nouveau façade in the main square of Paide that was built in 1920 to replace the former wooden building. Paide Town Hall was thoroughly renovated in 2008 and its original appearance was restored.Paide Town Hall can only be visited in the course of group tours organised by appointment only.Interesting facts:Paide Town Hall is still a government building today and the offices of the mayor and town council are located there.Paide Town Hall has a hall with excellent acoustics that is used as a concert venue.

Gallery Walge is an art gallery located in the attic of the community centre of Paide, on Tallinn St. 11. The rooms were renovated in February 2010 by the members of the Paide art club and the gallery opened in April 2010.

An information stand was placed by the main entrance of the cemetery in 2002, which gives an overview of the history of the cemetery and marks the graves of the historical persons buried in the cemetery.Interesting facts:Carl Hermann Hesse was born on 16 February 1802 in Tartu. He studied medicine in the University of Tartu and worked as the county doctor in Paide and Jarva County from 1833 to 1885. Carl Hermann Hesse had 11 children from three marriages. The eldest child from his first marriage, Carl Otto Johannes (1847-1916) was the father of writer Hermann Hesse. The graves of nine members of the Hesse family at in Reopalu Cemetery, including CH Hesse.