Pakri Islands

Pakri Islands (Estonian Pakri saared, Swedish Rågöarna, singular Rågö ) describes the two Estonian islands Suur- Pakri ( " Great Pakri ", Swedish: Stora Rågö, " Great Rågö " ) and Väike- Pakri ("small Pakri ", Swedish: Lilla Rågö, " Klein Rågö ") in the Gulf of Finland.

The islands, situated 2.5 km from the town of Paldiski, to which they belong administratively. In 1345 they were settled by five Swedish families in the area of the monastery Padise. They received the Swedish-language name Rågöarna ( rye Islands). Even in 1934, the islands were an independent municipality with five villages and 354 residents. In August 1944, the population was evacuated in connection with the Soviet occupation of Estonia to Sweden.

The islands served until 1992 as a deployment point of the Soviet Army and training ground for bombing. All of the original building, the two churches ( built in 1825 and 1890 ) and the historic cemetery were completely destroyed. Both islands connects a dam, which the army had built in the early 1950s.

On both islands there are numerous boulders and a rich flora and fauna. Since 1998, the islands are nature reserve, are prohibited in the hunting and fishing. The Pakri Islands are popular and rewarding destinations for nature lovers and tourists.

Suur- Pakri ( Stora Rågö, wholesale Pakri )

Suur- Pakri ( western island ) has an area of 11.6 km ². The highest elevation is 4 m above the sea level. On the island there is good spring water.

North Coast

Munition remnants

Väike- Pakri ( Lilla Rågö, small Pakri )

Väike- Pakri (Eastern Island) is slightly larger than the neighboring island with about 12.9 km ² ( 11.6 km ², the earlier notification was carried out according to the population ). The highest elevation is 13 m above sea level. Since 2000 the island has been inhabited again. On Väike- Pakri located at 52.3 m Estonia tallest lighthouse.

Cliff

Abandoned military buildings