Eesti, Estonia, Estland

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. It can be very windy on the beach promenade.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. This half-timbered house dates from 1740.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. Kaupmees Mohri Maja (Merchant Mohr's House) was built in 1681 for Christoph Heinrich Mohr. The house was later changed and enlarged a couple the times. In 1700 the building hosted Swedish King Karl XII for ten days. He had landed with his troops in Pärnu on his way towards Narva. In 1764 the building hosted Russian Empress Catherine II. Later the building passed from the merchants to the town´s post and telegraph office

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. The church traces its foundation to 1741, when the Russian empress Elizabeth donated 8,000 roubles for the construction of a new church in Pärnu; hence, the church was named after the empress. Construction started in 1744 and the building was finished in 1747. In 2021 it was under renovation.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. As an up-and-coming spa and recreation town, interesting Art Nouveau buildings were also created in the old town. The proximity to Riga certainly played a role.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. As an up-and-coming spa and recreation town, interesting Art Nouveau buildings were also created in the old town. The proximity to Riga certainly played a role.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. As an up-and-coming spa and recreation town, interesting Art Nouveau buildings were also created in the old town. The proximity to Riga certainly played a role.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. As an up-and-coming spa and recreation town, interesting Art Nouveau buildings were also created in the old town. The proximity to Riga certainly played a role.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. As an up-and-coming spa and recreation town, interesting Art Nouveau buildings were also created in the old town. The proximity to Riga certainly played a role.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. The baroque Church of St. Catherine in Pärnu was built at the behest of the Russian Tsarina Catherine the Great, and also with her funding. It was designed by the Russian architect Pjotr Jegorov. Completed in 1768, it is about a century older than the majority of Orthodox churches in the Baltic region. The Russian community of Pärnu is still active in the church today.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. The baroque Church of St. Catherine in Pärnu was built at the behest of the Russian Tsarina Catherine the Great, and also with her funding. It was designed by the Russian architect Pjotr Jegorov. Completed in 1768, it is about a century older than the majority of Orthodox churches in the Baltic region. The Russian community of Pärnu is still active in the church today.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a spa resort. The baroque Church of St. Catherine in Pärnu was built at the behest of the Russian Tsarina Catherine the Great, and also with her funding. It was designed by the Russian architect Pjotr Jegorov. Completed in 1768, it is about a century older than the majority of Orthodox churches in the Baltic region. The Russian community of Pärnu is still active in the church today.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a health resort. The most exquisite and probably most expensive spa complexes were built between the old town and the beach. This building is also located there.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a health resort. Villa Ammende is an example of early Art Nouveau. The building was designed and built by the architects F. Mieritz and J. Gerassimov from St. Petersburg. It was commissioned by the Ammende merchant family. The large villa was completed in 1905. After WW I, the family went bankrupt and the villa was sold to the town of Pärnu. Over the years, the house has been home to a sanatorium, a casino and a club. Today, the villa houses a luxurious hotel and restaurant. Too expensive for my budget.

Pärnu (Pernau) was founded by the Livonian Order, which began building an Ordensburg nearby in 1265. The latter town was a member of the Hanseatic League and an important ice-free harbour for Livonia. It had been in Swedish possession since the Livonian War in 1561 and experienced a period of cultural and economic prosperity. Sweden lost Livonia to the Russian Empire in 1710 following the Great Northern War. It belonged to the Imperial Russian Governorate of Livonia until 1917 when it was transferred to the short-lived Autonomous Governorate of Estonia. The town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following WWI and the Estonian War of Independence. The city was occupied by the Soviet Red Army along with the rest of Estonia in 1940 during WW II. Pärnu continued as being part of the Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1944 to 1991 when Estonia restored its independence. In 1838, the first bathing establishment opened its doors in Pärnu. In the following decades, a green belt with numerous parks was created on the site of the former fortress ring. Little by little, the town developed into a health resort. Villa Ammende is an example of early Art Nouveau. The building was designed and built by the architects F. Mieritz and J. Gerassimov from St. Petersburg. It was commissioned by the Ammende merchant family. The large villa was completed in 1905. After WW I, the family went bankrupt and the villa was sold to the town of Pärnu. Over the years, the house has been home to a sanatorium, a casino and a club. Today, the villa houses a luxurious hotel and restaurant. Too expensive for my budget.

St. Paul's Church in Hanila was built on the initiative of the Livonian Order. It was probably completed around 1280, though the towers helmet got finished in the 19th century. It was unfortunately locked.

In the 13th century, Danes and Germans had brought Estonia and Livonia under their rule in various crusades. The new lords brought Christianity with them and introduced a system of taxes and duties. The Estonian and Livonian population was largely subjugated and made unfree. In April 1343, the Estonian population rose up against the foreign rulers for the first time. During this uprising, which was ultimately suppressed, the Ordensburg, owned like the whole island of Saaremaa by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword, in Pöide, was destroyed. It is believed that the first church was completed in the 1230s. It was adjoined the Ordensburg. The round-arched portals indicate a transitional style between Romanesque and Gothic. The round apse of the early church also points to the Romanesque style. In the 13th or early 14th century, a vault was added to the original church in both directions.