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Paldiski

Paldiski is a small port town on the shore of Baltic Sea, in Harjumaa county in northwestern Estonia. Here the drab Soviet past meets the sea and the cliffs with wind power plants. The natural surroundings are interesting: the cliffs to the sea, the lighthouses outside town, and the wind farms, of which there are probably more than anywhere else in the country.

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12 places match

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    Amandus Adamson Studio Museum

    Amandus Adamsoni Ateljeemuuseum

    Old summer studio of Amandus Adamson (1855–1929), one of the most famous sculptors in Estonian history. Built according to his own design, the quirky wooden building is an attraction in itself. Today works of Estonian artists are exhibited here, and it's also an event venue.

    May-Sep: Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00; Oct-Apr: Thu-Sun 11:00-16:00€4

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    Klooga

    is a village along the railway, 10 km east of Paldiski. After World War II, when the peninsula with surroundings was militarized, the civilian population was evicted. Nowadays it's a normal village, but there are still some abandoned buildings built by the Soviets.

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    Leetse manor

    Leetse mõis

    The remains of a grand manor, just the walls remain of the main building, in addition to stairs down to the sea, the decorated gate, and the manager's house. On the way here, you will pass the "sarcophagi" with the deactivated nuclear reactors from the former submarine training facility.

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    Monument to Salavat Yulaev

    Salavat Yulaev was one of the leaders of the 1773–1775 Bashkir uprising (also known as Pugachev's Rebellion) against the Russian Empire. He was caught, tortured, and sent to a penal colony the opposite end of the empire like the common practice was back then, which meant Rogervik (Paldiski retained its Swedish name) where he reportedly died in 1800. In 1989 Soviet authorities erected a monument to him, which still stands.

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    Pakri lighthouse

    From Estonia's highest lighthouse (52 m) you can enjoy views of the Baltic Sea, but it's rather expensive compared to the lighthouses on Hiiumaa island.

    May-Sep: daily 10:00-20:00; Oct-Apr: Sat Sun 12:00-18:00€5/3 adult/student

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    Petrovskaya fortress

    Peetri kindluse bastionid / Muula mäed

    The remains of a fortress on a hill, with low overgrown ramparts. There are great views to the sea and the port functions.

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    St. George church

    Püha Georgi kirik

    Here the first Orthodox church in Paldiski was built in 1721, and in the late 18th century it was rebuilt in its current grey stone form. It looks pretty modest as it lacks a tower and is almost hidden by trees.

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    St. Nicholas church

    Nikolai kirik

    Built in 1842, though its "cubist" form may make you think it's newer. The church fell into serious decay during Soviet times, and was restored into its current shape.

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    memorial

    remains. During the same time, Ingrian Finns escaping the Soviet Union were placed in a camp in the nearby village of Põllküla, and many died due to the poor conditions there; of this camp too a remains.

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    Ämari Pilots’ Cemetery

    Ämari lennuväe kalmistu

    This cemetery is the last resting place of a number of Estonia's fighter pilots who served in the air force under Soviet rule before 1991. Pilots of which the aircraft were downed and recovered have their graves decorated with the tail fin of their aircraft instead of a generic tomb stone, making the cemetery look like a squadron of jet fighters buried in the forest.

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    Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh

    A modern wooden Orthodox church.

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    Suur-Pakri Chapel

    Suur-Pakri kabel

    The ruins of the abandoned church and cemetery.