Virtsu

58.57194423.516667Koordinaten: 58 ° 34 'N, 23 ° 31' O

Virtsu ( German Werder ) is a village ( alevik ) in the Estonian community in Hanila Lääne.

Population and location

Virtsu today has 608 inhabitants (as of 1 January 2013). It is located 138 km from the Estonian capital Tallinn.

The village is located on the same seven -square-mile peninsula ( Virtsu pool saar ) in the Baltic Sea. He is especially known for its ferry terminal on the island Muhu.

Until the early 19th century Virtsu was an island, which was then only connected by the uplift of the country to the mainland.

The village was the end of the 19th century the most important port. From the port of Virtsu the only regular ferry service from the mainland across the Suur väin ( " Great Sound " ) to Kuivastu on the island Muhu; Muhu is connected by a causeway with the largest Estonian island of Saaremaa. The ferry route from Virtsu after Kuivastu is 6.5 kilometers. In the port of Virtsu are six quay for ferries and cargo ships.

Virtsu maintains a primary school and a library. In addition, a pharmacy, a post office and a meteorological Stration exist. In the place a "hobby Museum " ( Virtsu Harrastusmuuseum ) has established itself with changing exhibitions since 1996. On the farm Kirsi talu an exhibition of old cars can be seen.

Lighthouse

First time in 1866 a lighthouse was built in Virtsu. The 28.5 -meter-high building was ordered in France. Next to it was a Seerettungsstation.

The lighthouse was destroyed in Virtsu both in the First (1917 ) and in the Second World War ( 1944). Today is in Virtsu a 18 m high lighthouse construction of concrete from the year 1951.

Economy

From 1931 to 1968 reversed a narrow- gauge railway from Rapla by Virtsu. 1944, the two-storey station building was destroyed, with its high roof.

Economic importance in Virtsu next to the port, a fish processing factory and a company for the production of plastic windows. Virtsu is known today by the wind farm, inaugurated in October 2002 of the Estonian energy company Eesti Energia. It was enlarged in 2008 and 2010.

Castle Virtsu

→ Main article: Castle Virtsu

1465 vassal castle of Virtsu was first mentioned. They probably originated in the 1430s near the shore. Founder of the family was Uexküll, vassals of the Bishop of Osel - Wiek. Their purpose was to monitor the sea lanes between the Estonian mainland and the island of Saaremaa.

The fort -like ground plan of the castle was rectangular with a side length of 25 m. At the northeast and to the southwest corner of the towers stood. The walls were mostly of limestone.

The fortress was founded in 1533 /34, the fighting between the local bishop, Reinhold von Buxhöwden, and the anti-bishop William of Brandenburg -Ansbach - Kulmbach destroyed ( " Wieksche feud "). The Treaty of Valmiera in 1536 banned its reconstruction. Some remains of the castle are still visible today.

Castle Werder

The court of Virtsu was first mentioned in documents in 1459. Until the 19th century it was called Vana- Virtsu ("old Werder ").

As of 1777 the representative Mansion " Castle Werder " was created by the German Baltic Carl Thure von Helwig ( 1741-1810 ) in Baroque style, and later a 4.6 hectare park. From 1853 onwards the estate of the noble German Baltic Uexküll family belonged. The walls of the mansion was decorated with valuable paintings and in the rooms you installed Rococo ovens.

The manor house was largely destroyed in 1917 by Russian naval forces. In the basement housed a bar since 1970.