Käina

58.82722222.776667Koordinaten: 58 ° 50 'N, 22 ° 47'

Käina is a village (Estonian alevik ) in a circle Hiiu ( Hiiu maakond ). It is the capital of the homonymous country church ( Käina vald ) on the second largest Estonian island of Hiiumaa ( German Dagö ).

Description and History

Käina ( German Keinis ) has 690 inhabitants (as at 31 December 2011). The place is situated on the bay ( Käina Laht ), on the Baltic coast. Käina located 19 kilometers south of the island's capital Kärdla ( Kertel )

Käina was first mentioned in records in 1529 under the name Keinisz. By 1939 the spelling of the place was officially Keina.

The Bischofsgut of Käina was already mid-16th century an important place, especially in the nearby harbor on the bay. In 1500 the parish was Käina. 1627 the parish was divided Reigi.

After the island's capital Kärdla Käina is the second economic and cultural center of the island of Hiiumaa. Originated there important collective farms and industrial enterprises as well as a health center in the period of the Estonian SSR. Today, many companies and businesses of Hiiumaa in Käina have their headquarters The nature and health tourism plays a major role in the town. First time in 1959 mud from the Bay of Käina was used for treatments. Today the population is a modern hall band.

In the first half of the 19th century, Georg Friedrich Ignatius founded, until his death in 1865 was pastor from 1818 in Käina, the local parish school. Best-known educational institution is now the School of Käina. In addition, there is a place in art school. In the arts center, the village theater Odra Iva has its headquarters.

St. Martin's Church

Probably originated in the 13th century the first church made ​​of wood in Käina. The present-day stone church was built in the late 16th century 15./Anfang under Bishop Johann Orgies ( bishop 1492-1515 ). The first priest in Käina is occupied for the year 1532. The church was then with 600 seats, the largest in Hiiumaa.

The hall church in the Gothic style is simple and plain. 1859/1860, the church was heavily remodeled and expanded to include an extension.

The church was initially to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, ordained, and later to St. Martin.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Martin of Käina was destroyed on October 14, 1941 by a German incendiary bomb. This valuable art treasures were destroyed, the altars of the Virgin Mary, St. Nicholas and St. Anthony. Also built by the father of the Estonian composer Rudolf Tobias organ was destroyed by fire.

Today the ruins of the church are still preserved. Around the church are surrounded by a park.