The 10 Best Things to Do in Voru, Estonia

Lake Tamula Promenade in Voru starts from the Tamula Hotel and runs along the beach until the Roosisaare bridge. Different attractions enhance the appearance of the promenade: children's Playgrounds with swings, climbing nets and sliders; green grass for those who don't want to lie on the sand, stands with seats and pontoon Bridges that take you on the lake.If you get tired from walking, you can rest on the comfy bench-swings, where you can look at the bustling ducks and swans. You can also play volleyball, listen to Concerts and get a bite to eat.Useful information:* Lake Tamula Promenade is 800 metres long.* The Promenade was awarded the title "Estonian Landscape Architecture Event of the Year 2009".

Construction of the Church of St Catherine in Voru commenced in 1793 during the reign of Empress Catherine II. It is thought to have been designed by the Livonian architect Schons, while the man responsible for the building of the church was Voru's own Johann Karl Otto. The church was surrounded with a formidable fence. It is famous for its cross-shaped floor plan, substantial bell tower, high dome-like secondary tower and arched windows. Designed in classicist style, it was completed in 1804 in honour of St Catherine. The grounds around the church were restored in 2008 and are now home to an open air exhibition of religious text-themed illustrations by artist Marje Ernits.

A very interesting and informative permanent exhibition gives you a profound overview of Voru County from the Stone Age to the present day. The exposition of archaeological findings and ethnographic objects, a Seto hut, a tailor's and shoemaker's workshop, the corner of Kriisa organ masters, a room from a manor house and a forest brother’s bunker form the interiors of the museum. In the exhibition halls the museum the shows its collections and organises art and handicraft Exhibitions as well as photo and book Exhibitions.

The museum features the home of Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald (1803-1882), a physician and the founder of Estonian national literature, in Voru and gives a good overview of his activities. His living quarters reflect the interior design typical of the time; the garden house accommodates Literary exposition. In the storehouse there is an exhibition of art inspired by Kreutzwald’s writings, reprints and translations of his works. The stable features different vehicles and the fairy-tale room several ethnographic objects. There are also a cellar, sauna, well, garden and an arbour in the museum complex. The activity room is designed for handicraft, drawing and constructing.

Pindi Jaani (St. John's) church was built according to the plan by architect J. G. Muhlhausen. The church was consecrated in 1881. A massive tower stands In the western part of the rectangular church, the vestry is in the north-eastern part. The altarpiece is a copy of the one in Rouge church, "Jesus on the cross" by Rudolf von zur Muhlen. The new organ built by the brothers Kriisa was consecrated in 1903.The grave and monument of Captain Friedrich Vreeman (1894–1919), who was killed in the Estonian War of Independence, are in the church cemetery. Service is held Sundays at 10.30.Useful information: Laine Villenthal, who was the first woman ordained as a minister in Estonia, served in Pindi church until 2004.

Those who fought and were killed in the Estonian War of Independence are buried here. The War of Independence started in November 1918 when Soviet Russia invaded the Republic of Estonia and ended on 2 February 1920 with the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty. The monument was destroyed during the Soviet occupation. In 1987 the society Vaba Soltumatu Noorte Kolonn Nr 1 (Free Independent Youth Fleet No. 1) started to clean up the graves of those who were killed in the War of Independence and the monument was reopened on 23 June 1988. In 2002 the city government of Voru started to renovate the burial ground. The monument erected by the Youth Fleet was torn down, but the slab and cross made by the fleet were used on the new monument.

Kutirog is the biggest and grandest primeval valley in Estonia. The valley is 4.7 kilometres long, 250–600 metres wide and 70 metres deep. Iskna creek flows in the bottom. The woods on the sides of Kutiorg include spruces older than a century and aspens which are exceptionally thick and tall. The mountain sides are cut by gullies the water has made: Suur tsori, Rebasetsori, Juudijooratus and others. On the north-eastern side of the valley you'll find Tammetsoor and Ilmamagi, where sacrifices were performed. There are three Watermills in the northern part of the valley, one of which is in working order. Kutiorg is part of the Haanja Nature Park and a special management zone begins north of the ski lift on the eastern side of the valley.

Voru Town Gallery focuses on promoting art and cultural activities in Voru, on introducing professional art and organising Exhibitions and exhibition-sales.For expositions the gallery mostly uses the balcony lobby on the 1st floor of the Voru Community Centre, called Kannel, and the room in front of the small hall. There are also Exhibitions in the lobby of the ground floor. All rooms are equipped with modern spotlights that move along buses.

The first written record about Kirumpaa Castle is from 1322, when Gediminas, Grand Duke of Lithuania, destroyed it. The castle was built by the once important Tartu-Pihkva trade and war route, to protect the eastern border of the Tartu Bishopric. The castle has been attacked, destroyed and rebuilt many times and it was finally destroyed in the Russo-Swedish war in 1656.Useful information: Kirumpaa Castle was surrounded by a large settlement of merchants and craftsmen. The layouts of the castle and the surrounding area are preserved in the Swedish National Archives. Stones from the castle's ruins were used to build Voru, which was established in 1784. Small-leaved lindens that grow around the ruins are from 1940.