Boulders of Gneissbretsa
There are two huge boulders (Kasemetsa and Allika boulders) near the road between Salajõe and Ingküla. The height of the larger boulder is 3.9 meters and the height of the smaller boulder is 3.4 meters.
Estonians mainly associate Noarootsi with coastal Swedes, who lived here from mid-13th century until 1944. As a commemoration of Estonian Swedes, there are many Swedish place names in the Noarootsi Rural Municipality. The origin of the name “Noarootsi” is still a mystery, but there are several legends about it. Noarootsi was mentioned in writing for the first time in 1319 (as Nucke). To find out more about the history and the present day of Noarootsi, please visit the homepage of our rural municipality at www.noarootsi.ee
There are two huge boulders (Kasemetsa and Allika boulders) near the road between Salajõe and Ingküla. The height of the larger boulder is 3.9 meters and the height of the smaller boulder is 3.4 meters.
The lakes of Peraküla are situated in the area of coastal land drifts starting from Spitham and reaching along the coast to Harjumaa. The area of Tantsujärv (Allikajärv) is 8.3 ha and its greatest depth is 1.6 metres. The lakes of Peraküla are surrounded by sand drifts, on average 5 metres high. The Uuejõe stream, which starts from the Peraküla bog surrounding the lakes, has formed coastal banks and is running through a picturesque gully. The end point of the hike could be at Nõva. You can also take a trip to Veskijärv and Tänavjärv.
The manor house built in the 19th century is located in the centre of the rural municipality – in the village of Pürksi. Until 1919, the manor belonged to the Ungern-Sternberg family. In the years 1920–1943, Pürksi Agricultural and Folk High School was located in the manor. The building was restored in 1989–1995 and is now the home of the Noarootsi Secondary School. Pürksi Park is under nature conservation. The trees in the park include white beech and a unique circle of lindens.
The museum was opened in 1997 in the stables of the Saare Manor (restored from 1995 to 1996). The collection of the museum consists of old farming tools and handicraft and domestic tools donated by local people. The first room is dedicated to the history of Saare Village. The museum is opened from May to September and from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. More information by phone: +372 504 8490. Should you want to visit from October to May, you must reach an agreement with Anu Kari (phone: +372 569 88440).
The church was built in the late Gothic style probably around 1500. Important rebuilding works were carried out in the 18th and 19th centuries. The organ was restored in 1991. In the churchyard, you can find rounded crosses and the early-classicist family chapel of the Taube family near the church. A monument to the Estonian War of Independence (restored in 1990) can be found in the newer part of the graveyard. East from the church, there is a pastorate built in the 17th century – this is one of the oldest preserved wooden buildings in Läänemaa. The Noarootsi church and pastorate are opened from Wednesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM. More information by phone: +372 551 6699 (Arnold Arro).
Osmussaar is situated approximately 7 kilometres from the Port of Dirham in the Osmussaar Landscape Protection Area and its area is approximately 4.8 km2. Before World War II, 130 people lived on the island, but they were all evacuated in 1940. Until 1992, there was a Soviet military base on the island. The island has been inhabited again since 2001. The family living on the island grows sheep. The sights of the island are the ruins of the stone chapel built in 1766, the lighthouse built in 1954 (the lighthouse built in 1765 was destroyed in 1941), the limestone bluff and coastal banks.
The pier built from granite by local peasants at the beginning of the previous century is situated in Österby Village and is approximately 265 metres long. This was the place from whence the regular boat connection with Haapsalu was organised until 1994.
Ramsi Peninsula that is situated in Einbi Village is known for its rich vegetation. The tip of the cape is the most western point of the mainland of Estonia. From the tip of the cape, you get a magnificent view of Vormsi Island and on the Voosi Strait that separates the island from the mainland.
The manor that belonged to the Taube family was first mentioned in 1604. The building preserved until today was built at the beginning of the 19th century. The early-classicist manor house is a single-storey wooden building with a high half-hipped roof.
The chapel is located at the road between Tuksi and Spitham in the Rooslepa Cemetery. Rooslepa Chapel, built in the 1830s, was one of the three assisting churches of Noarootsi parish. The building started to break down in the late 1970s. The walls of the chapel were conserved in the early 1990s. The chapel was restored in 2006, mainly according to the original design.
The ruins of marine complexes that were built before World War I are located west from the Port of Dirham.
The manor that belonged to the Rosen family is located on a small island in the strait separating Noarootsi from the mainland. The buildings of the manor were built in the 18th and 19th centuries and restored by Baron Gustav Friedrich von Rosen. The main building of the manor (restored in 2001) is the location for the administration of the Silma Nature Reserve. One of the biggest boulders of Läänemaa – Kalevipoeg’s Stone – is located on Võnnu Peninsula. Phone and fax numbers of the nature reserve: +372 472 9431; Tiit Randla +372 505 0691; Ivar Ojaste +372 521 5151; www.silma.ee
The spray hovel built in the 1930s and restored in 1998 and was related to social life during the first period of independence in Estonia. It is situated in the Österby Village.
The biggest karst area of Läänemaa is just a few kilometres from Linnamägi towards Sutlepa. The absorption area is approximately 600 metres long and 100 metres wide. Salajõgi starts from the springs south-west from the road and runs forward as Tiberna River that flows to the Tagalaht Bay of Haapsalu.
On the coast of Sutlepa Sea, there was one of the oldest wooden buildings in Estonia – Sutlepa Chapel – where services started in 1627. The chapel was transported to the outdoor museum located in Tallinn.
On the coast of Sutlepa Sea, there was one of the oldest wooden buildings in Estonia – Sutlepa Chapel – where services started in 1627. The chapel was transported to the outdoor museum located in Tallinn.
The Põõsaspea Cape in Spitham Village is the most north-western point of the mainland of Estonia. At the north-eastern part of the cape, you can see the exposed clavey limestone of Jõhvi Horizon from the middle Ordovician. The outcrop similar to a limestone floor is unique due to the chalcedony bulbs in the limestone, inside of which there are quartz cells that contain small amethysts. An important flyway for Arctic water birds runs over the Põõsaspea Cape. One of the best bird-watching sites at the coast of the Baltic Sea can be found there.
The unique whole cone towers or diurnal signs made of quarry stones are located in Kudani Village on Telise Peninsula. These are built in 1910. The height of the lower sign is 7 metres from the ground and the height of the upper sign is 11.9 metres from the ground. The diurnal signs that are under state protection have lost their purpose by now.
The estuarine of Uuejõgi (from Spitham towards Nõva) is often filled with sand drifts during storms, which causes the estuarine of the river to change its place. Water lilies grow in Uuejõgi. The drifts along the coast that are a couple of metres high are very interesting. Camping and bonfire places can be found by Uuejõgi.