Twelve kilometres south of Võru is Suur Munamägi, the highest 'mountain' in the Baltics at just over 300m. Surprisingly, there was never a fortress at Suur Munamägi and small wooden watchtowers only dated from the 19th century. The tower now here, a short climb from the road, was built in 1939 and added a further 30m in height. The date is significant as it was one of the last Functionalist buildings to be completed before the Soviet occupation and was sited in an area that had no links with any of the occupying powers. The glass gallery on the top was added in 1970 as the growth of the surrounding trees would otherwise have blocked the view, which extends across innumerable forests and lakes, well into Russia and Latvia. It is very different, but equally worthwhile, in all four seasons. Locals like to claim that on a clear night it is possible to see the lights of Tartu, 85 kilometres away. Some also hope that in due course two cartfuls of gold left by Charles XII of Sweden, as he hurriedly retreated from the armies of Peter the Great, may be rediscovered in the area. The lower floors of the tower house a museum on nature protection. The major extension, which includes a lift, was completed in 2005. It is worth coming down the stairs to see the photographic exhibition of the area, and also the temporary exhibitions of local art.Neil Taylor "Estonia. The Bradt Travel Guide", 2007 |
