Estonia
Things to do in Lahemaa & Rakvere
21 places18 stories2 routes
Sightlore has 21 places to explore in Lahemaa & Rakvere, and 18 of them come with a 60-second story in 5 languages. Point your camera at a landmark to learn its name and story, and earn points and badges at the places you actually visit.
Lahemaa & Rakvere's must-sees
The city's most important places. In the app you see how many you've visited and earn a badge when you've seen them all.
- 1
Toolse Castle
The northernmost and youngest medieval Order castle in Estonia, founded in 1471 by Master Johann Wolthus von Herse to protect the harbour of Toolse.
- 2
Jägala Waterfall
Jägala Waterfall is a waterfall in northern Estonia on the Jägala River. It is the largest natural waterfall in Estonia, with a width of about 50 meters (160 ft) and a height of about 8 meters (26 ft).
Read its story → - 3
Käsmu lighthouse
Former wooden lighthouse in the village of Käsmu, built in 1889–1892 on the initiative of the Käsmu maritime school; a national cultural monument.
- 4
Väike-Maarja Church
Väike-Maarja Church is a church in Väike-Maarja in Lääne-Viru County, Estonia. Constructed in 1346, Väike-Maarja Church has three nave-halls in Gothic architectural style and was initially built as a fortress church.
- 5
Orthodox Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in Rakvere
Orthodox church on Tallinna Street in Rakvere.
- 6
Viru Bog
Viru Bog is a bog in Harju County, Estonia within Lahemaa National Park. The area of the bog is 235 ha. Thickness of peat layer is about 6 m.
- 7
Vao Castle
Medieval tower house in the village of Vao, Lääne-Viru County; once the fortified main building of Vao manor, it now houses a museum.
- 8
Kolga manor
Former knight's manor in Kuusalu Parish, Harju County; its centre is in the small town of Kolga.
- 9
Haljala Church
Parish church of St Maurice in the small town of Haljala, described as one of the most distinctive medieval churches of Virumaa.
- 10
Porkuni Castle
Castle in Virumaa that belonged to the Bishop of Tallinn; its ruins now lie within Tapa Parish.
Discovery routes in Lahemaa & Rakvere
Visit the stops in any order and tap "Check in" at each one; finish the route to earn points and its own badge.
Lahemaa: Jägala Waterfall, Manors and Coastal Villages
From Jägala Waterfall to Kolga Manor and Viru Bog; Palmse Manor, Käsmu Church and the Käsmu and Vergi lighthouses; then the village of Altja, Sagadi and Vihula manors and Toolse Castle.
Rakvere and the Castles of Viru
From the Vao tower stronghold to Väike-Maarja Church and Porkuni Castle; in Rakvere the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God and Rakvere Castle; then Haljala and Viru-Nigula churches.
Places to visit
Historic sites
Kolga manor
Former knight's manor in Kuusalu Parish, Harju County; its centre is in the small town of Kolga.
Palmse manor
Former Baltic German knight's manor in Lahemaa National Park, about 80 km east of Tallinn.
Käsmu lighthouse
Former wooden lighthouse in the village of Käsmu, built in 1889–1892 on the initiative of the Käsmu maritime school; a national cultural monument.
Vergi lighthouse
Lighthouse in Vergi harbour, Haljala Parish, Lääne-Viru County.
Altja
Altja is a village in Haljala Parish, Lääne-Viru County, in northern Estonia, on the territory of Lahemaa National Park.
Sagadi manor
Former knight's manor in Haljala parish in Virumaa; today it lies in Haljala Parish, Lääne-Viru County.
Vihula manor
Former knight's manor in Haljala parish in Virumaa; today it lies in Haljala Parish, Lääne-Viru County.
Toolse Castle
The northernmost and youngest medieval Order castle in Estonia, founded in 1471 by Master Johann Wolthus von Herse to protect the harbour of Toolse.
Vao Castle
Medieval tower house in the village of Vao, Lääne-Viru County; once the fortified main building of Vao manor, it now houses a museum.
Porkuni Castle
Castle in Virumaa that belonged to the Bishop of Tallinn; its ruins now lie within Tapa Parish.
Rakvere Castle
Major castle ruin on Vallimägi hill in Rakvere, northern Estonia; the site was one of the largest strongholds of ancient Viru.
Letipea Lighthouse
Letipea Lighthouse is a lighthouse located in Letipea Point, Viru-Nigula Parish, Lääne-Viru County, in Estonia. The lighthouse has a height of fifteen metres.
Vaindloo Lighthouse
Vaindloo Lighthouse is a lighthouse located on the island of Vaindloo (in the Gulf of Finland), in Estonia. The lighthouse was originally built in Vormsi, however it was moved to Vaindloo in 1871, when the old beacon had collapsed.
Places of worship
Käsmu Church
Wooden Lutheran church in Käsmu, completed as a chapel in 1864.
Väike-Maarja Church
Väike-Maarja Church is a church in Väike-Maarja in Lääne-Viru County, Estonia. Constructed in 1346, Väike-Maarja Church has three nave-halls in Gothic architectural style and was initially built as a fortress church.
Orthodox Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in Rakvere
Orthodox church on Tallinna Street in Rakvere.
Haljala Church
Parish church of St Maurice in the small town of Haljala, described as one of the most distinctive medieval churches of Virumaa.
Viru-Nigula Church
Lutheran church in Viru-Nigula dedicated to St Nicholas, patron saint of sailors.
Tapa orthodox church
Orthodox church in Tapa, built in 1901–1904.
Nature
Jägala Waterfall
Jägala Waterfall is a waterfall in northern Estonia on the Jägala River. It is the largest natural waterfall in Estonia, with a width of about 50 meters (160 ft) and a height of about 8 meters (26 ft).
Viru Bog
Viru Bog is a bog in Harju County, Estonia within Lahemaa National Park. The area of the bog is 235 ha. Thickness of peat layer is about 6 m.
Explore Lahemaa & Rakvere with your camera
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