Piirissaar

Template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / image missing template: Infobox Island / Maintenance / height missing

Piirissaar ( German Porka ) is an Estonian inland island in Tartu county.

With an area of 7.8 km ² Piirissar is the largest island in Lake Peipus. It is located about 15 km ( German: Embach ) from the mouth of Emajögi away. Piirissaar is located about 1 to 2 meters above the water level of the lake.

The first permanent settlement probably dates back to the time of the Nordic War. On the run from the church reform in Russia were down there Old Believers and sought protection from the military service. Even today, the commitment of the majority of the inhabitants at that denomination. During World War II, the island was exposed to severe attacks of the German Luftwaffe in 1944 in February.

Today, located on the island of the three villages Piiri, Saare and Tooni. They form the community Piirissaare. The population has fallen from 700 in 1920 to 86 in 2006. Those who remained living mainly from fishing and the onion cultivation.

Since 1991 Piirissaar nature reserve is under the Natura 2000 program.