What to do and see in Voru County, Voru County: The Best Things to do

The Moniste Museum is the oldest open-air museum in Estonia; here you can light a fire in a Stone Age tepee or practice archery, slinging or lassoing. You can also learn how to make bone and earthenware objects, weave fishing nets and fabric, grind grain or bake a loaf of Stone Age bread. The threshing barn dating back to Czarist times features the interior of the 19th century building, tools, household utensils and clothing. The farmhouse from the times of the first Republic of Estonia exhibits the tools that blacksmiths used, horse necessaries, handicraft tools, national costumes, folk music instruments, etc. You can also try what farm works felt like at that time.

The Episcopal castle dating back to the 14th century was established by the Bishop of Tartu and Grandmaster of Livonia and thanks to many renovations and extensions it developed into a strong border fortress. The landlords of the castle came from many different countries. The castle met its end during the Great Northern War when it was demolished by Russian troops (1702). In the Middle Ages, Vastseliina Castle was well known in the Catholic world as a popular destination for pilgrims. They worshipped the holy cross in the castle chapel and a visit to the chapel gave them sanctification for 40 days - it was first validated by Pope Innocentius VI in 1354. Nowadays you can visit medieval theme centre located next to the castle, where you can taste, feel and see the life of medieval people.

The Seto Museum offers an opportunity to learn the unique history and culture of Setomaa through having a look at the family life, traditions and customs of Seto families in Obinitsa. The display is especially focused on the period from 1920 to 1940.The cosy exposition of the small museum features objects collected from the neighbouring villages. The handicraft collection of Seto women is very unique: it includes colourful towels used to decorate the corner where the icon stood, decorative towels and national costumes. You can also visit archeological display and a typical Seto small chapel (tsasson).You can get tourist information on Setomaa and the Polva and Voru Counties and use the internet in our Tourist Information Point. You can also buy Seto handicrafts, books, CDs and DVDs in the Seto language or about the Setos here.

In Nopri Dairy Farm you can get to know a modern dairy farm and see the operations of a dairy. You are welcome to spend a few pleasant hours by walking around in the farm and see the cows, observing the making of cheese from curds, yogurt, cottage cheese and other milk products. You can book a tour with the members of the family farm to get insights of modern farming. End your visit in local self-service shop where most of the local premium dairy products are represented, additionally you can find handicrafts, souvenirs, honey and flavourful food products from other local farms.

Lake Suurjarv - Big Lake, or as the locals call it 'Witch's Lake' - forms part of the chain of lakes in Rouge valley. Suurjarv formed at the end of the last ice age from the action of melting ice. It is 13.5 hectares in area with an average depth of 11.9 metres. It is not a closed system, with creeks flowing into it from Lakes Liinjarv, Valgjarv and Kaussjarv. It is the deepest lake in Estonia (38 metres) and has many natural springs along its shores and in its depths. The colour of its water varies from orange to light green. 22 species of plants are found in the lake, to a depth of up to 8 metres. The fish most commonly found in the lake are the perch and roach. The lake is open to swimmers.

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".

Suur Munamagi is the highest point in the Baltics and stands at 318 metres from sea level. The observation tower on Suur Munamagi provides a splendid view of Estonian nature within the range of 50 km. The existing tower is the 6th in number; it was built in 1939 and reconstructed in 1969; its present height is 29.1 metres. The tower was renovated again in 2005 and an elevator was added to its back side. Interesting to know:* when standing on the top of the tower, you will be 346.7 metres above sea level.* the very first tower was built in 1812 by soldiers and under the supervision of a Russian officer.

The Pesapuu watchtower is 30 meters high (the top observation platform is 27 meters from the ground) and it resembles a tree with two birdnests. Karmo Tõra, an architect, is the author of the idea. The watchtower is eye-catching during both the day and the night. At night, lights of different colours are turned on to shed light on the so-called birdnests or observation platforms and the so-called golden egg on the top of the tower. Tourists that reach the top are offered picturesque views of the Nightingale Valley and the rest of Võru County. Pesapuu is opened around-the-clock.

The Piusa River Ancient Valley landscape reserve was established to protect the valley through which the Piusa River flows and its Devonian-period sandstone outcrops. The reserve extends through three municipalities: Meremae, Vastseliina and Orava. The valley is up to 35 m deep and 300 m wide in places. The water from the river has been used in the past in 11 mills, of which the Kelba, Tamme and Vaike-Harma mills remain. The sights of greatest natural value on the reserve are its 12 sandstone outcrops, ranging from 6-44 m in height and 20-130 m long. The tallest are known as the Harma walls. To explore the reserve, we recommend taking the Piusa hiking trail, which is 15 km long.