Illuka Parish

( Koduvald )

The rural community Illuka ( Illuka vald ) is located in Ida- Viru county in northeastern Estonia.

Description

The rural municipality has an area of ​​543.82 km ². 1,065 inhabitants ( 2012) live in it. With only 1.96 people per square kilometer, the community is one of the least populated places in Estonia.

On the territory of the municipality is the former manor house Illuck, which is used as a school since 1921.

The area is known among nature lovers for its numerous lakes.

Villages

In addition to the main town Illuka for rural community includes the villages Agusalu, Edivere, Jaama, Kaatermu, Kaidma, Kamarna, Karoli, Kivinõmme, consumer, Kuningaküla, Kuremäe, Kurtna, Ohakvere, Ongassaare, Permisküla, Puhatu, Rausvere and Vasavere.

Monastery Kuremäe

In the village there is the Russian Orthodox nunnery of Kuremäe ( German Kranichberg ), the only one in Estonia. The place is also under the name Pühtitsa ( German: Püchtitz ) known.

The monastery was built in 1892-1895 near a sacred spring. It is the destination of many Russian Orthodox pilgrims. Now live 163 nuns in it. They work mostly in agriculture, but offers tourist guides.

Was located at the site of the present convent was once the sacred mountain of the pagan Estonians (now a place of worship of archaic Estonian folk belief ). The folk poetry merges with the source and dramatic stories about the Estonian legendary hero Kalevipoeg.