In September me and my girlfriend had a driving trip in Estonia and we visited some places that I had not seen yet. One of the coolest places we saw was an area in a middle of the wetlands, an elevated patch of land that feels like an island, named Soontagana. Located in south-western Estonia. Scattered around the area you can find numerous ruins of an old farmhouses, fences and also a spot of fortress. To get an amazing areal view of the place, for that, there is also quite a high tower in a middle of the land.
To get there, we first needed to walk along the forest trail, although there is a path that is possible to drive on. It is blocked off for regular traffic. It took about 30 minutes to reach the spot. The trail beginning with a bridge.
This is the forest trail we were walking along. Fortunately it was dry at the time. I can imagine that it gets were muddy during the wet times.
I will get to this later why this place looks like an island.
When we arrived to the Soontagana, it was apparent that here are preserved ruins of what was once a village there. For some idiotic reason, I dont have photos of the old farmhouses, but only stone fences are visible.
Im seeing a bit of conflicting information but as far as I understand, the Soontagana vilage became into existance during the 7th century and remained active until the 13th century.
Since it was surrounded with wetlands, it was well protected. There was only one secret route through the bog that led to the area. Since many people didn't know how to swim, it remained unconquered after the surrounding lands were already taken. Only at the start of 13th century were germans able to make the place surrender.
This is a camping spot on the area and some buildings.
Inside the building is an indoor fireplace, so its possible to make fire even with a very poor weather. The smoke can escapre from a roof up there.
A well I found there, it was pretty deep. I dont know why it's needed there currently, but it smelled weird inside.
A ton of different apple trees were also to be found there. I took a nice load back home with me.
These were once the village streets. The place was pretty much self sustained due to all the farmlands in the area. You can see the tower in a middle of the hill too.
Also the roofed building with information tablets about the history everywhere.
Now it was time to climb the tower and truly get a feel how this place might have once looked like. The view gives a pretty good idea of the layout of this settlement and the surrounding wilderness.
You can see that there are wetlands all arund. Bordering the town are larger trees and in a middle this green patch of land. This is why it resembles an island so much.
On the photo below, in addition the streets, you can see a mound at the upper right side of the photo. This was a fortress yard. Nothing structually remains of the fortress, but the mound is there.
The first excavations were made in 1895 already. Another excavations were made in 1965-1971. A lot of equipment, pottery and eating utensils were found. Also, a lot of bones of household animals.
The sun decided to show itself, and I got these beautiful scenes then.
Having taken in the beautiful and educating views, we got down from the tower and walked towards the mound you saw earlier. Not sure what else I hoped to see next to the mound really. It would have been cool to see at least something left from the fortress I guess.
I did cimb the mound but there was nothing to see more, just a flat area of nothing. Still was interesting to think about what was once there.
I did make one find however... I found a map. A map of ancient villages all over Estonia, pretty cool actually.
The tower from below.
I am pinning this location on Pinmapple map and I advise you take a look of the sattellite picture of how this place looks like. Its especially clear why it looks like an island there.
All in all it was awesome to see this spot. Im not a fanatic for history but I always like to know interesting information and see old things to imagine what was once been done there.
Sure a spot for you if you look to travel to Estonian nature and combine it history and scenic nature.
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