Käsmu

Käsmu ( German and Swedish: Kaspervik ) is a village in the Estonian community in Vihula Lääne -Viru county. It has 131 inhabitants (as of 2006).

The village is located on the western shore of the peninsula of the same name Käsmu Baltic Bay. It was first mentioned in 1453 as Kesamo documented. The name after the word kesä (summer) suggesting a used only in the warm season fishing port. The first permanent settlement is documented for the 16th century.

In the 19th century Käsmu was known for the flourishing liquor smuggling across the Baltic Sea. The Maritime School originates from 1884 and was in operation until 1931. From Käsmu stemmed from a variety of Estonian masters of the 19th and 20th centuries. Käsmu is still known as "Captain village" today. A lighthouse was built in 1891.

Since the mid-19th century was Käsmu goal of Baltic German and Russian summer visitors, painters, writers and intellectuals. In the time of the Soviet occupation of Estonia, a pioneer camp and a recreation center were built. Today Käsmu is again a neat village, which attracts numerous domestic and foreign tourists in the summer.