Viljandi (county)

Viljandi (county)

The **Mulgi** culture in the Viljandi county defines this hilly southern region with its rich farming history and black folk coats. The ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle sit on a massive hill with a suspension bridge spanning a deep valley to reach them. From the ramparts you can see the whole of Lake Viljandi stretching out below the town. The view is especially beautiful in the early morning when the mist hangs over the water and the valley. Drive south to find the Mulgi Experience Centre which shows how the wealthy farmers of the past lived in their grand wooden estates. The **Õisu** manor and its park offer a look at the classic Baltic German style with a river carving a valley through the sandstone. The roads here are a rollercoaster of small hills and sharp turns through the woods. Every turn seems to lead to another viewpoint or a small village shop selling local crafts. The **Soomaa** park borders this county providing a chance to see the wild flooded meadows from the wooden watchtowers. You can find local craftsmen still making traditional dugout boats from single aspen logs. It is a land of deep traditions and even deeper valleys. The hospitality in the Mulgi region is legendary, and you will often find yourself invited for coffee and cake if you stop at a local farmstead.

Viljandi (county) highlights

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

In the 1300s, the Viljandi county was home to one of the largest and most powerful fortresses in Northern Europe. The **Order Castle** sat on a massive hill and was the heart of the region's power for centuries. It was also a wealthy member of the **Hanseatic** League, a group of trade cities that moved goods across the seas. Although only ruins remain today, you can still walk across a famous suspension bridge to reach the castle hill and see the incredible views over the lake. The county is the heart of the **Mulgi** culture, which became very famous in the 1860s. During this time, local farmers became some of the first in the country to get rich by growing and selling flax. They used their money to buy their own farms from the nobility, which was a huge deal at the time. These wealthy Mulgi farmers were known for their black folk coats and their big, beautiful farmhouses that still dot the rolling hills today. Viljandi is also a place where folk music and ancient traditions have never died out. For over a century, the region has been a center for traditional crafts and songs. Every year, thousands of people gather in the castle ruins to celebrate this heritage. The history of the region is a mix of medieval power and the success of the local farmers. All set in a landscape of deep valleys and old stone walls.
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