• 14th Century Medieval Castle – one of the best-preserved in the Baltics
• Capital of Saaremaa Island
• Contemporary Spa centre

Kuressaare is the main town on the island of Saaremaa.  The history of the island has been particularly fraught with war and occupation.  The Danes unsuccessfully attacked Saaremaa in the early 13th Century and in 1277 the Teutonic Knights crossed the frozen sea with 20,000 soldiers to establish German rule on the island.  The German invasion lasted until 1559, despite frequent uprisings. 

The following 90 years would see the island of Saaremaa conquered five times, first by the Danes, then the Swedes, then another Danish invasion, the Russians and then again the Swedes in 1645.  In 1710, the Swedes lost all their Baltic territory to the Russians during the Great Northern War.  Following the collapse of the Tsarist regime in 1917, Saaremaa was again occupied by Germany.  This was to last only until November 1918.  Estonia’s first period of independence lasted only until 1940. During WWII, Saaremaa was occupied by Germany for 3 years.  Some 1000 residents were deported to Siberia, some forcibly removed to Germany and many fled Saaremaa for western countries.

During the Soviet era the island was closed to foreigners and restrictions were even placed on mainland Estonians wanting to visit Saaremaa.  Those from mainland Estonia needed an invitation to visit the island. 

The most important historical sight on the island of Saaremaa is the Kuressaare castle.  This is one of the best preserved medieval fortresses in the Baltics.  The castle was originally built in 1340-1380 with some walls added in the 15th Century and then was used as a fortress by all the occupying armies until the Russians withdrew their garrison in 1836.  From this time on the castle had no military significance and remained undamaged from war.

Curative sea mud has played an important role in the development of Kuressaare for over 160 years. The first mud treatment establishment was opened on the island in 1840.  Other spa treatments such as massage are available in Kuressaare and it is a great way to indulge yourself while visiting Saaremaa Island.

Saaremaa, the largest of Estonia’s 1500 islands is host to 1300 km of beaches, headlands and peninsulas.  As well as beaches the island has medieval churches, windmills and National Parks to explore.  From Kuressaare town it is easy to access some of the best nature and scenery in Estonia.  A car trip along the cliffs of the Sõrve peninsula will expose you to some fabulous views.  The peninsula is also a good place to explore on foot and there are remains of WWII ruins to visit.  Tehumardi on the Sõrve peninsula was the site of one of the worst battles during the German retreat in 1944.  On the night of October 9, about 300 Germans and 200 Russians were killed with another 12,000 troops killed over the next 6 weeks before the Soviet army conquered the whole of Saaremaa Island.  The village of Maantee is a completely deserted Soviet rocket station only concrete squares and poles remain.  Further on at the most Southern point of the peninsula at Sääre you can walk around the ruins of an old Soviet army base.

Traditional Estonian windmills can be seen on the island of Saaremaa as well as villages of thatched cottages that represent the Estonia of times past.  Angla is the biggest group of typical Saaremaa type of wooden windmills with 5 windmills of various sizes lining the road.  At Kogava village on Muhu Island (a causeway links Saaremaa and Muhu Islands), is an old fashioned village now functioning as an open air museum with 105 houses mostly dating from 1880 – 1930.