Obinitsa

Obinitsa is a village (Estonian küla ) in the South-Estonian county Võru. It belongs to the rural community Meremäe. Obinitsa has 210 inhabitants (as of 2006).

History and Sights

Obinitsa part of the traditional settlement area of ​​the Setukesen. The village was first mentioned in documents in 1763. Obinitsa was touristy primarily known for the extensive cave system Piusa towards the Russian border. The Bat Reserve is a nature reserve. There, in 1922, started with the mining of silica sand. In the 1930s, a narrow-gauge railway was built for the industry.

1904 church school was opened in Obinitsa. On the ground floor was the primary school of the village, housed the church upstairs. Church tower and altar were destroyed in 1950 by the Stalinist authorities. The newer Orthodox Church of Obinitsa dates from the year 1952. Cemetery Obinitsa created prior to the Christianization of Estonia, probably around the year 500 AD The oldest preserved tombs date from the 13th century.

On 22 acres, 1995 Paisjärv artificial lake with its clear waters since 1986, is a monument Seto Lauluimä, reminiscent of the vocal tradition of Setukesen. The three -meter-high sculpture made of granite comes from the Estonian sculptors Elmar Taniloo and Endel Rebane. Around her are erected memorials to famous folk singers in the region. In 1995, a local history museum was established in Obinitsa.

In Obinitsa the Estonian writer Ülle Kauksi lives.