What to do and see in Kuressaare, Saare County: The Best Sights & Landmarks

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.

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.

One-naved classicistic Kuressaare St. Laurence Church was established at the current location in 17th century. Individuality to the church is given by decorative details from dolomite. The pulpit and altar wall of the church are hewed from dolomite, all along the building is surrounded by columnar balcony. In the church You can see the first Sauer instrument of Estonia, the only organ of Kuressaare city. Interesting to know: Unique baptismal stone comes from crushed in 1944 Ansekula medieval church;Altar painting „Kolgata” author is Carl Siegismund Walther;The Empire style pin broach is inspired by St. Petersburg buildings.