What to do and see in Kuressaare, Saare County: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do

The Kuressaare episcopal castle, also known as the Kuressaare Castle, was built in the 14th century. Today, the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum which is devoted to the island’s nature and history. A large part of the fun is exploring the warren of chambers, halls, passages and stairways, apt to fuel anyone’s fantasies. One room near the bishop’s chamber looks down to a dungeon where, according to legend, condemned prisoners were dispatched to be devoured by hungry lions (recorded growls reinforce the mental image). Legend also tells of a knight’s body found when a sealed room was opened in the 18th century, which has given rise to varying accounts of how he met his tragic fate. Upon discovery the knight’s body dissolved into dust but don’t worry, it’s since been re-created. There’s also interesting coverage of daily life under the USSR, including the interior of a typical apartment. On the top floor, the museum has wonderful views over the bay and surrounding countryside.

The establishment of housing and landscape gardening got into full speed in the second half of the 19th century when Kuressaare became thanks to discovery of medical mud one of the spa cities of Estonia. For park establishment and administration in 1861 was formed a park committee. Versatile help was offered by residents who donated money, seedlings and gave for work horses and vehicles. In 1930 new rare types of trees that were ordered from Tartu University were planted in town park. The plant life of park is rich, here you can find around 80 species of trees and bushes.Interesting to know:Town park is a former cemetery.

Of three formerly functional windmills used within the city borders this windmill is the only one preserved. Initially this construction was known as the Trei windmill, after the name of its builder and owner. The windmill was built in 1899 and it was used until the beginning of World War II. The restoration of the windmill began in 1972 and it was reopened as a coffeehouse in 1974. The aim of the restoration was to preserve the initial constructions of the Dutch type stone windmill. Good to know: the windmill was declared an architectural monument of national importance. The windmill is 17 m high and if we include its wings then its highest point reaches 24 meters of height.

The sculpture, situated in front of the SPA Hotel Meri was created in 2002 by a renowned Estonian sculptor Tauno Kangro. The sculpture depicts Suur Toll (the Great Toll), a mythical hero of the island Saaremaa, and his wife Piret.Good to know:According to the Legend, Sorve peninsula was important to Toll, as from there he reached the shortest way to the island Ruhnu, where he had his cabbage field. When his wife Piret started to make a fire under the cauldron, then Toll went through the sea to his cabbage field and came back in half an hour, so that he could hand Piret the cabbages when the water had just started to boil.

The church together with the gates from dolomite and surrounding wall is under protection as architectural memory. The church built in 1790 is three-naved in low-key late classicistic style. Interesting is built at the same time three-part gate. On each side of its main entrance wall surface hang two half-columns with Doric serifs.Interesting to know:Church was built by order of Catherine the II. Since the congregation was established there were 30 priests.

The monument was erected to commemorate those who lost their lives in the War of Independence (1918-1920). The author of the monument is Amandus Adamson, a well-known sculptor in Estonia whose best known work is the Russalka (mermaid) monument in Tallinn. The construction of the monument began in Italy in 1927. The monument was opened in 1928. Later 2 bronze plates were added to the monument containing the names of the inhabitants of Saaremaa who were wounded or have died in the war.Good to know:This figure is not the original. The original was tossed into the sea by Soviet troops and was never found. A local sculptor from Saaremaa recreated it.

Visitors to the water park can use the four-lane standard size swimming pool. Water aerobics classes as well as various swimming courses are also organised in the water park. Children can have fun with the 52-metre water slide and in the children's pool. The Jacuzzi can accommodate ten people.