Day 9: Kuressaare

I am now staying in a farmstead, in Upa, on the island of Saaremaa in Estonia. The owners no longer farm but converted the barn and outer buildings into living accommodation.











This was our room. Not a great photo as it doesn't show just how large the room was and the many facilities including a washing machine in the main building that we could use. The farm provided us with an evening meal as well as breakfast so it was really pleasant, half way through the trip, to stay in a more relaxed atmosphere with time to catch your breath.






The island is the largest of many Estonian islands in the Baltic sea. Today we had a minibus to take us all into the local town of Kuressaare about 3 miles from where we are staying.  It is a small town and being a Sunday much was closed but the weather was perfect for a walk. M decided she was going to take advantage of one of the many spas in the town but I wanted to enjoy a walk in the sea air.

But before that we all went to have a look around the medieval castle for which this town is famous..

Kuressaare Castle was built in the 14th century with some protective walls added between the 15th and 18th centuries. It is the only surviving medieval fortification in the Baltic countries that has not been significantly reconstructed. Inside the castle is a museum about the history of Estonia. It seemed much bigger from the inside than outside and with so many rooms in the castle it was easy to lose your bearings.

There is a memorial to the 90 people killed here by the Red Army in 1941 and another memorial to the 300 who were executed during the Nazi occupation.

The castle is surrounded by water.

Part of the castle was also a convent.

There were a number of statues and reliefs on display which had been brought to the castle from other churches.

From the roof of the castle you can see the moat surrounding the castle and the Baltic Sea in the background

The outer walls of the castle. In the Summer they hold outdoor concerts here.

I walked back over the bridge from the castle and into the town.

The main street had been dug up to install new water pipes or something. It made for very difficult  walking

This wooden building with its clock tower was the workshop of a clocksmith in the late 19th century.

The tourist office which was once the town hall.

Local restaurant

I walked around the town which seemed to be an affluent one looking at the type of housing.

I met up with M who had had a very relaxing time at the Spa. After lunch in the town we got a taxi back to the farm. Before going out I had hung my washing on a large washing line to take advantage on the warm sunny day. It was lovely and dry but the owner of the farm was waiting to speak to me as I had wandered onto the neighbour's farm and hung my washing there! Ooops.