Voru County
The County of Võru (area 2305 sq km, population ca 40,800) is the Southern most county of Estonia, the only one bordering two different States - Latvian Republic (in the South) and Russian Federation (in the East). At the beginning of the 14th century conquerers erected the Kirumpää and Vastseliina Bishop Strongholds in the ancient County of Ugandi. In the 16th century the area came under the reign of Poland, followed by Sweden in 1625 and Russia in 1710. In 1783 a new county was established by the orders of the Russian Czarina Catherine II and it was named Võru after the Manor of Võrumõis. The Town of Võru was established in 1784. Many natural records of Estonia are found in Võru County - the highest peak: Suur Munamägi (318m above sea level), the highest hill climb is Mount Vallamägi (84m base to summit): the river with the greatest descent is the River Piusa (208m), the highest sandstone outcrop: Härma Mäemine (43m), the deepest lake: Lake Rõuge Suurjärv (38 m), the deepest Ancient Valley: Kütiorg (70m) and the biggest oak (the Oak of Tamme-Lauri, circumference - 8m). You can spend active holidays in the County of Võru all year round. There are many hiking trails, camping on the shores of lakes, swimming and fishing and in wintertime skiing, motor sleigh and horse sleigh rides are available. Comfortable tourism farms offer good accommodation.Haanja Nature Park (area about 17,000 ha) is situated on the Upland of Haanja and was established for the protection of the highest region of Estonia and the Baltic States. In addition to the beautiful domed hills, deep valleys and picturesque small lakes old villages, customs and cultural traditions have been preserved here.
The highest point of the Baltic States Suur Munamägi (318 m, from foot to summit 62m) is situated in the Southern part of the Village of Haanja, 18km South from Võru. There is a permanent exhibition in the 29-meter observation tower which is situated on the top of the hill and was built in 1939 and renovated in 1969.
The beautiful ancient Valley of Rõuge is up to 60 meters deep with many supplementary valleys: Tindi, Oobiku, Kiidi, Hinni, Jarveotsa, etc. The most famous supplementary valley is the 300 m long and 12-15 m deep Ööbikuorg (the Valley of Larks), which in springtime echoes with the singing of larks. At the end of the valley there is a small reservoir.
In the bottom of the Ancient Valley are seven lakes forming a 6.5km chain, among them is the deepest lake in Estonia - Lake Rõuge Suurjärv (38m). Lake Rõuge Suurjärv, like the other lakes of Rõuge, was formed at the end of the Ice Age as a result of the erosion by melting ice water. The flora of the lake comprises of 22 species. In the lake you can find the rare kind of moss - Fissidens Julianust, broad-leaved pondweed, white and yellow lilies.
In the course of war an old and beautiful church with silver bells drowned in Lake Suurjärve and from that time every year before Michaelmas Day (29 September) a beautiful bridge rises over the lake, across which the figure of a monk walks shouting: "There will come a time when the Church with bells will rise again!"
The Ancient Settlement of Rõuge, covering an area of approximately 7000 sq m was in use in 5-11th century. The Stronghold was erected next to the settlement in the 6th century on a good location, on the high shore of the cape of Lake Liinjärve. From the sides the stronghold was protected by steep, high, natural slopes, it is possible that there was also a defensive log fence. The Stronghold has been burned 6 times. In the course of excavations the remains of the clay floors of wooden buildings were found; the ruins of a 10 meter long log building situated lengthwise in the courtyard of the stronghold were also found. The animal bones and artifacts associated with weaving and bone processing found show that the stronghold was a permanent residence for a long time. In the 16th century the first stone church was built in Rõuge - the Rõuge Maarja Church - at the expense of the Landlord Kursel. Life centered around the Church: a school, tavern, cemetery, pharmacy with a doctor, shop, etc. were built here. On 15 August 1730 the Church was consecrated to the Maiden Maarja. The Organ, built by the famous Organ Master Brothers of Kriisa for their home church in 1929, is one of the best and mightiest organs in Estonia.
The English-style Park of Rõuge was established on the edge of the Valley of Rõuge by the Landlord Samson von Himmelstjerna in 1895-1898. The Park has an area of 5.3 hectares and is designed around the Manor building on relatively flat land. From the density of tree cover the park is more like a forest park, with a high percentage of conifers. A great diversity of species - including many exotic species like ginnala maple and Siberian fir can be found here.
Lake Vaskna is one of the many "mountain lakes" hidden between the domes of Haanja. The best place to admire its indented coastline is the observation tower of the Mount Suur Munamägi. There are 4 islands in the lake at low tide and 2 at high tide. Despite their small area, the lakes of Haanjamaa are very deep and steeply shelving.
Vana-Antsla Manor: Vana-Antsla was first mentioned in 1405 as a vassal stronghold. In the 15th century Hermann von Uexkull established the Manor of Vana-Antsla. The current manor buildings were built in the 18th century. The Manor is a surrounded by a 12-hectare park with varied landscape and many ponds. Some 140 different kinds of trees and bushes and 158 plants grow in the park. Altogether there are more than 20 different buildings belonging to one of the most majestic Manor Complexes in Võrumaa. The oldest building is a so-called bottle-house - the former gardener's house-apple barn. Currently the Vocational School of Vana-Antsla is situated in the Manor.
