Haapsalu

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Haapsalu
Town and municipality
View from Haapsalu Castle
View from Haapsalu Castle
Flag of Haapsalu
Flag		 Coat of arms of Haapsalu
Coat of arms
Haapsalu is located in Estonia
Haapsalu
Haapsalu
Location in Estonia
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Country  Estonia
County Läänemaa lipp.svg Lääne County
Town rights 1279
Government
 • Mayor Urmas Sukles[1] (Reform Party)
Area[2]
 • Total 10.59 km2 (4.09 sq mi)
Elevation 10 m (30 ft)
Population (2013)[2]
 • Total 10,251
 • Density 970/km2 (2,500/sq mi)
Ethnicity
 • Estonians 81.9%
 • other (Finns, Swedes, Russians) 19%
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Postal code 90503 to 90507
Area code(s) (+372) 047
Vehicle registration S
Website www.haapsalu.ee

Haapsalu (Estonian pronunciation: [ˈhɑːpˈsɑlu] (German and Swedish: Hapsal; Finnish: Haapasalo; Russian: Хаапсалу, Гапсаль) is a seaside resort town located on the west coast of Estonia. It is the administrative centre of Lääne County, and on 1 January 2012 it had a population of 11,587.[2]

Description

Haapsalu has been well known for centuries for its warm seawater, curative mud and peaceful atmosphere. Salt mud spas frequented by the Russian Romanov family still operate. Narrow streets with early 20th century wooden houses repeatedly lead to the sea. Haapsalu has been called the "Venice of the Baltics",[3] although this positioning has been criticized as exaggerating.[4] The name "Haapsalu" is from Estonian haab 'aspen' and salu 'grove.'[5]

History

Haapsalu castle

The town dates back to 1279, when it was chartered and became the centre of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek, which it remained for the next 300 years. Buildings from those early days remain today, including an episcopal castle which has the largest single-nave cathedral in the Baltic states, Haapsalu Castle.

Haapsalu and the surrounding area was the center for the Estonian Swedes from the 13th century until the evacuation of almost all ethnic Swedes from Estonia in 1944.

Healing spas

For many years, locals have claimed that the sea mud has a curative effect. A military doctor, Carl Abraham Hunnius, founded the first mud cure resort in 1825. News of the curative mud quickly reached the aristocracy of Saint Petersburg, the capital of the Russian Empire. Ever since then, Haapsalu has been a popular summer destination where people from all around the world come for medical treatment. Today, there are three mud cure establishments in Haapsalu varying in size and location.

Haapsalu shawl

In the 19th century, Haapsalu became famous for its shawls, a delicate craft made by local women.

Other attractions

The Land of Ilon Wikland (Wiklandia), a recreation centre for children, is set to open in a few years within the town. This world famous book illustrator has been involved with Haapsalu since her childhood.

The August Blues Festival is held every August in Haapsalu.

In Popular Culture

Haapsalu is site of a fencing school founded by Estonian fencer Endel Nelis, used as the setting of the Finnish/Estonian film "The Fencer".[6]

International relations

Twin towns — Sister cities

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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Estonia

Haapsalu is twinned with:[7]

Gallery

  • Haapsalu kuursaal 2012-2.jpg

    Haapsalu resort hall

  • Paadid Haapsalu Tagalahel.jpg

    Boats in gulf Tagalaht

  • Haapsalu raudteejaam 2010.jpg

    Haapsalu Railway Station, now disused, and notable for the length of its platform canopy.

  • Haapsalu Maarja õigeusu kirik.jpg

    Orthodox church

  • Haapsalu raekoda 2012.jpg

    Town Hall

  • Haapsalu raudteejaama ooteplatvorm.jpg

    Train station

  • Haapsalu raudteejaama veetorn.jpg

    Water tower

  • Haapsalu raudteejaama ambulants.jpg

    Train station polyclinic

  • Auruvedur Su 252-94 Haapsalus.jpg

    Steam locomotive

  • City center

  • A pavilion at Haapsalu seaside promenade

  • Sculpture "Kepimurdja", by Juhan Raudsepp

  • View from the promenade

  • Central square

  • Jaani church

See also

References

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External links

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  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  5. ↑ E.M. Pospelov, Geograficheskie nazvaniya mira (Moscow, 1998), p. 444.
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  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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