Narva- Jõesuu #visitestonia #narvajoesuu #estonia100

Narva Jõesuu is situated in north-eastern Estonia. The town’s name in Estonian and Russian means “Mouth of the Narva”,

Thanks to the beach, covered with fine sand and lined with a pine forest, There are a lot of SPAs and Narva-Jõesuu has long been a popular summer destination. In the late 19th and early 20th century, it was a spa town frequented by the nobility from Saint Petersburg.

 

Today Narva- Jõesuu is eclectic and comparing with Latvian Jurmala, need a lot of investments to restore the former glory.
But on the other hand, this is it Narva Jõesuu.

Old fashioned dachas (summer houses) alternately with gorgeous villas. Abandoned nine-storey houses alternately with The New Russian (a person who gained quick riches) style palaces with arches and towers…

Did you know? Estonia holds 4th place in urban air quality (WHO)

 

We visited Narva Jõesuu in early spring windy, cold and rainy day. But as I said: a golden sand beach, great promenades, a lot of forests. Silence, out of civilization. Ordered parks and interesting children and pets friendly city. Narva Jõesuu is something interesting and different. I bet you never visited something similar.

This part of Estonia- north-eastern Estonia, Ida-Virumaa, has a challenging and little bit sad history.   Settled a long time ago. Amazing nature, sea, forest and cliff coast. Near to Russia…Older people still remember beautiful buildings, cosy cafe…
But by the end of July 1944, 98% of Narva had been destroyed. The original native inhabitants were not allowed to return to Narva after the war and immigrant Russian-speaking workers from other parts of the USSR were brought in to populate the city.

And yes. There are still live some people, who believe that their president is Putin, People who cannot and do not want to speak Estonian.
But most of Russians in this area are very hospitable, hearty and friendly people.

 

People settled in the area from the 5th to 4th millennium BC, as witnessed by the archaeological traces of the Narva culture, named after the city. The fortified settlement at Narva Joaoru is the oldest known in Estonia, dated to around 1000 BC.
The settlement in Narva Jõesuu probably arose in the 14th century, then part of the Duchy of Estonia, a dominion of the Livonian Order within Terra Mariana from 1346. It was first documented in a 1503 deed issued by Master of the Order Wolter von Plettenberg. It was the site of an outer harbour of the City of Narva from the 16th century, containing several timber stockyards, sawmills, and small shipbuilding industry.

 

Best Route to Visit Narva Jõesuu
From Tallinn to Narva 211 km (2 h 30 min) on the way back visit:

• Narva is the third largest city in Estonia. It is located at the eastern extreme point of Estonia, by the Russian border, Not far from the town is the Narva Waterfall, whose spillway capacity is one of the largest in northern Europe.
• Narva Jõesuu 7,5 km beach, covered with fine sand and lined with a pine forest; Old fashioned dachas (summer houses) alternately with gorgeous villas. Abandoned nine-store houses alternately with The New Russian (a person who gained quick riches) style palaces with arches and towers…
• The Sinimäed Hills (or Blue Hills; The hills are best known as the location of the Battle of Tannenberg Line, fought in World War II on July 26–August 12, 1944. There, the Waffen-SS defeated a Soviet offensive against Germany.
• Sillamäe during the Soviet regime in Estonia, Sillamäe remained a closed town due to the secrecy and security measures related to the uranium production activities at the local plant. You have the possibility to examine the buildings from the post-war period of Stalin, classical avenues, pompous promenade and museums. (Drive in the city Rumjantsevi Street and find Sillamäe Kultuurikeksus (Cultural Center- if possible ask permission to visit this centre as well, inside is very interesting)) Park your car and walk in park and promenade
• Päite Pank Päite cliff, part of the Baltic Klint.
• Toila palace and Park, President Päts used as his summer residence. You can walk in the well-marked and well-maintained park, look at various species of trees and shrubs, explore Hõbeallika (Silver Spring) Cave, as well as enjoy the sea view and the sunset from the Swallow’s Nest.
• Valaste waterfall located on the Ontika limestone cliff, is more than 30 m high, making it the highest waterfall in Estonia
• Vihula Manor At the time it belonged to the Danish baron Hans von Lode. The manor fascinates with its atmosphere and picturesque location in Lahemaa National Park.
• Viinistu In the little coastal village of Viinistu, you can visit an Art Museum located in old cold storage of a fish processing plant.
• Viru Raba Viru bog nature trail ( 3,5 km) 3,5 km is one way, the circle will be 6 km.

 

In Estonia

• In this region the first language is Russian. But practically all Estonians speak or at least understand English.  Because of the similarity of languages, Estonians are able to understand Finnish.  Children learn German, French, Swedish or Chinese at school
• almost everywhere you can pay with a card. ATM -s are in the bigger place and petrol stations.
• and yes, this is not a fairy tale. Almost everywhere in Estonia is Wifi

Best Souvenirs to buy from Estonia

• Kalev confectionary, liqueur Old Tallinn/Vana Tallinn, Balbiino ice cream and Tallinna spiced sprats (Tallinna vürtsikilu) and Narva silmud (lamprey)
• Handicrafts made of linen, wool, wood, juniper or limestone. Haapsalu scarf.
  (NB! In Tallinn Viru Street you can find a lot of amber and Matrjoschka. Amber is from Lithuania and Matrjoschka from Russia. Both countries are beautiful and with a rich culture and interesting history. I suggest to visit Lithuania and Russia :))
• for children, everything about and with Lotte.

 

Estonian Food you Must Try

• visit Estonian supermarkets and buy some Estonian dairy products: kohuke, kodujuust (cottage cheese), hapukoor (sour cream). Buy Kama and rye bread, handicraft beer
•  In restaurants ask for quark cake, soups with dumplings, meatballs or cabbage. Semolina cream, quark cream or bread cream. Local lake fish. Drink kefir, kvass or local beer. Värska mineral water. And Estonian tap water and spring water are clean, pure and drinkable.
  

  

 Culture:

• check and google timetables for Viljandi Folk, Pärnu Weekend, Jazzkaar, PÖFF or Laulupidu.
• buy a movie about Estonian history: ” Nimed marmortahvlil”, ” Tants aurukatla ümber”, ” “Tuulepealne maa”. Or ” Malev”, this is a comedy and pseudo-history, but very good summary about Estonians.
• Music: Pärt and Tüür.  Tõnis Mägi, The Sun; Metsatöll and TradAttack. And read my blog posts. I gave a lot of links for good Estonian music.