Valga (county)

Valga (county)

The hilly southern border of the Valga county is a place of castles and twin towns. Valga sits right on the line with Latvia where you can stand with one foot in each country on the main square. The architecture changes as you move through the streets reflecting a mix of northern and southern influences. It is a unique experience to see two different nations sharing the same street and local markets. The **Sangaste** castle is a red-brick wonder inspired by **Windsor** with over ninety rooms and a massive forest park. It was the home of the Rye King who developed a famous local grain still grown today. The roads wind through the **Otepää** highlands where the hills get steeper and the views get wider. This is the highest terrain in the country, providing a driving experience that feels more like a mountain journey. Visit the **Helme** caves where people once hid during wars and the ruins of the local castle stand on a steep slope. The lake district near **Tõrva** offers deep blue water for swimming and quiet forest roads for driving. It is a county of grand brickwork and hidden valleys. The local history is visible in every stone wall and the unique way the farmhouses are nestled into the protection of the hills.

Valga (county) highlights

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

The history of the Valga county is defined by its role as a borderland. In 1584, the town of Valga was given special rights by a **Polish King**, but its most famous moment came in 1920. After a long war for independence, a **British** official was brought in to draw the final border between the new countries of Estonia and Latvia. He famously drew the line right through the middle of the town, splitting families and streets into two different nations that still exist today. The region was also the site of one of the most important battles in modern history. In January 1919, a fierce fight took place at **Paju** Manor that decided the fate of the southern part of the country. Brave soldiers, including volunteers from Finland, fought through deep snow to reclaim the land. Today, a massive granite monument stands on a hill at the battlefield to honor the people who fought for the country's freedom over a hundred years ago. Driving through the hills, you will find the **Sangaste** Castle, a red brick palace built in the late 1800s. It was modeled after a famous castle in England and has over 90 rooms. The man who built it was known as the **Rye King** because he spent his life developing a special kind of winter grain that could survive the cold northern climate. This mix of grand castles and border history makes the southern hills a unique place to explore.
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