Haapsalu

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Haapsalu
Town and municipality
View from Haapsalu Castle
View from Haapsalu Castle
Flag of Haapsalu
Flag
Coat of arms of Haapsalu
Coat of arms
Country Estonia
County Lääne County
Town rights1279
Government
 • MayorUrmas Sukles[1] (Reform Party)
Area
[2]
 • Total10.59 km2 (4.09 sq mi)
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2013)[2]
 • Total10,251
 • Density970/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Ethnicity
 • Estonians81.9%
 • other (Finns, Swedes, Russians)19%
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
90503 to 90507
Area code(+372) 047
Vehicle registrationS
Websitewww.haapsalu.ee

Haapsalu (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈhɑːpˈsɑlu] (German and Swedish: Hapsal; Finnish: Haapasalo; Russian: Хаапсалу, Гапсаль) is a seaside resort town located on the west coast of Estonia. It is the administrative centre of Lääne County, and on 1 January 2012 it had a population of 11,587.[2]

Description

Haapsalu has been well known for centuries for its warm seawater, curative mud and peaceful atmosphere. Salt mud spas frequented by the Russian Romanov family still operate. Narrow streets with early 20th century wooden houses repeatedly lead to the sea. Haapsalu has been called the "Venice of the Baltics",[3] although this positioning has been criticized as exaggerating.[4] The name "Haapsalu" is from Estonian haab 'aspen' and salu 'grove.'[5]

History

Haapsalu castle

The town dates back to 1279, when it was chartered and became the centre of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek, which it remained for the next 300 years. Buildings from those early days remain today, including an episcopal castle which has the largest single-nave cathedral in the Baltic states, Haapsalu Castle.

Haapsalu and the surrounding area was the center for the Estonian Swedes from the 13th century until the evacuation of almost all ethnic Swedes from Estonia in 1944.

Healing spas

For many years, locals have claimed that the sea mud has a curative effect. A military doctor, Carl Abraham Hunnius, founded the first mud cure resort in 1825. News of the curative mud quickly reached the aristocracy of Saint Petersburg, the capital of the Russian Empire. Ever since then, Haapsalu has been a popular summer destination where people from all around the world come for medical treatment. Today, there are three mud cure establishments in Haapsalu varying in size and location.

Haapsalu shawl

In the 19th century, Haapsalu became famous for its shawls, a delicate craft made by local women.

Other attractions

The Land of Ilon Wikland (Wiklandia), a recreation centre for children, is set to open in a few years within the town. This world famous book illustrator has been involved with Haapsalu since her childhood.

The August Blues Festival is held every August in Haapsalu.

In Popular Culture

Haapsalu is site of a fencing school founded by Estonian fencer Endel Nelis, used as the setting of the Finnish/Estonian film "The Fencer".[6]

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Estonia

Haapsalu is twinned with:[7]

Gallery

  • Haapsalu resort hall
    Haapsalu resort hall
  • Boats in gulf Tagalaht
    Boats in gulf Tagalaht
  • Haapsalu Railway Station, now disused, and notable for the length of its platform canopy.
    Haapsalu Railway Station, now disused, and notable for the length of its platform canopy.
  • Orthodox church
    Orthodox church
  • Town Hall
    Town Hall
  • Train station
    Train station
  • Water tower
    Water tower
  • Train station polyclinic
    Train station polyclinic
  • Steam locomotive
    Steam locomotive
  • City center
    City center
  • A pavilion at Haapsalu seaside promenade
    A pavilion at Haapsalu seaside promenade
  • Sculpture "Kepimurdja", by Juhan Raudsepp
    Sculpture "Kepimurdja", by Juhan Raudsepp
  • View from the promenade
    View from the promenade
  • Central square
    Central square
  • Jaani church
    Jaani church

See also

References

  1. ^ "Linnavalitsuse liikmed". Haapsalu linn. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  2. ^ a b c "Population figure and composition". Statistics Estonia. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  3. ^ Dallen J. Timothy (18 May 2009). Cultural heritage and tourism in the developing world: a regional perspective. Taylor & Francis. pp. 239–. ISBN 978-0-415-77621-9. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  4. ^ Derek R. Hall; Melanie K. Smith; Barbara Marciszewska (30 November 2006). Tourism in the new Europe: the challenges and opportunities of EU enlargement. CABI. pp. 264–. ISBN 978-1-84593-117-9. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
  5. ^ E.M. Pospelov, Geograficheskie nazvaniya mira (Moscow, 1998), p. 444.
  6. ^ Reiljan, Kaire (16 March 2015). "„Vehkleja". Kaks lugu, elu ja tõde filmis" (in Estonian). Lääne Elu. Retrieved 9 January 2016. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Sõpruslinnad" (in Estonian). Haapsalu. Retrieved 23 July 2011.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Haapsalu.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Haapsalu.

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