Lääne (county)

Lääne (county)

The Lääne county is a sanctuary for birds and lovers of quiet seaside charm. **Matsalu** bay is a world famous stop for migratory birds with observation towers standing over vast wet meadows. You can watch thousands of cranes and geese gather in the shallow waters during the spring and autumn flights. The peaceful atmosphere is perfect for those who want to disconnect from the modern world and listen to the sounds of nature. **Haapsalu** is a town of mud spas and lace with a romantic promenade that has hosted emperors and composers. The **Episcopal Castle** ruins dominate the center with its legend of the White Lady appearing in the chapel window. The nearby railway station has the longest covered platform in the northern lands built for the arrival of the Tsar’s train. Walking along the wooden platform makes you feel like you have traveled back to the era of steam engines and royal visits. Drive out to the **Noarootsi** peninsula to find a unique Swedish heritage in the village names and architecture. The roads here wind through sandy pine woods to reach remote beaches where you can have the Baltic Sea all to yourself. It is a place of shallow bays and golden coastal grass. You can find tiny seaside cafes serving fresh pastries and coffee to travelers who wander off the main path.

Lääne (county) highlights

Part of these road trips

Follow the routes that cross this destination

The Scenic Route
The Heritage Drive
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History of Lääne (county)

In 1825, the first mud spa opened in the town of Haapsalu after people discovered the local sea mud had healing powers. This turned the region into a favorite summer spot for the Russian Tsars and high society, who built beautiful wooden villas and a romantic promenade along the water that still looks like a movie set today. Long before the spa era, the region was a religious and military center. From the late 1200s, a massive castle in **Haapsalu** served as the home for a powerful bishop who ruled over the western islands and the coast. The ruins of this castle still dominate the town, and legends say a White Lady appears in the chapel window every August. The region was also home to a large Swedish community for over 700 years, leaving behind a unique heritage in the local names and traditions. The history of the west is also tied to its massive railway station, which was built in 1904 with a covered platform over 200 meters long. It was designed this way so the Russian Emperor could step off his train and stay dry even in the rain. The quiet roads lead through flat meadows and bird sanctuaries that have been protected for generations. It provides a peaceful look at a coast that has hosted both royalty and ancient seafaring cultures.
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