Haapsalu
Welcome to the home of Augustibluus, Haapsalu—the “Venice of the North,” as this town of more than 740 years has been called, located just an hour’s drive from Estonia’s capital, Tallinn.
Founded in 1279, the city has welcomed royalty and intellectual giants throughout the ages, serving as a summer paradise for visitors from the east and west, north and south.
History
Haapsalu, the centuries-old center of the Saare-Lääne Diocese, is marked by ancient castle ruins and the cathedral, where on nights of the August full moon, one might encounter the mysterious White Lady…
After the healing properties of the sea mud were discovered, Haapsalu quickly transformed into a thriving, romantic summer resort that became popular throughout nearly all of Europe.
Haapsalu Train Station
The grand station building, completed in 1906, featured the longest covered platform (216 meters) in all of Northern Europe at the time. This grand station building was constructed with Haapsalu’s summer visitors in mind, particularly members of the tsarist family.
The station building houses a railway and communications museum, and the museum exhibits also include locomotives and railcars on the tracks.
The station pavilion hosts concerts, fashion shows, and elegant gourmet dinners.
A Walk Along the Waterfront
From the train station, the Läänemaa Health Trail—built on an old railway embankment—leads walkers to the shore of Õhtu Bay, with the calm sea on one side and Haapsalu’s beautiful wooden architecture on the other. No one can help but daydream there—if only they could spend even a week in one of those houses!
Narrow streets lead to the shore of Väike Viik—a name that can never do justice to the picturesque beauty of this body of water! In fact, it could just as well be called Swan Lake, as Väike Viik is home to these graceful, regal birds. The royal court is also present—ducks, geese, and many other waterfowl.
Walking in a semicircle around Väike viik, you’ll reach the Haapsalu Promenade, at the beginning of which stands a bench dedicated to the world-famous composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. Over the decades, many famous people have sat on this bench. You can add your name to this imaginary list.
Haapsalu Promenade is a dream come true for anyone with even a hint of romance in their heart! Many say it’s the most beautiful place for a stroll you could wish for. Words fail here. You have to experience it for yourself.
Wooden-Latticed Kuursaal is the proud jewel of the Haapsalu Promenade, and not just in terms of its visual appeal—in the summer, the Kuursaal transforms into a restaurant with a diverse cultural program.
Those who walk to the end of the Promenade will reachKrahviaedandthe Bishop’s Castlevia Hommiku Beach, wherethe main concerts of Augustibluus take place andwhichhas become a symbol of Haapsalu. This is also the place wherethe legend of the White Lady was born.
