The town of Värska developed around the church, which was built in 1904. Note the cemetery beside the church, quite a rarity in Estonia as following the plague, in the early 18th century, burial inside a church was forbidden on health grounds. Isolated sites well away from the village were chosen instead. Värska is proud of the fact that all its clergymen since the 18th century have been Estonian speakers. Once mineral water was discovered here its role as a spa was assured, whatever the political regime.
In recent years tourists have been attracted by the Setu Farm Museum which opened in 1994. 'Museum' is hardly the correct name for it, cultural centre or even theme park being more appropriate. One room does represent life for this community in 1920-40 but otherwise there is plenty of singing and dancing, the chance to try cooking on a log fire and the temptations of what must be the largest souvenir shop in Estonia. If you are short of towels and long dresses, this is the place to come, as prices are set for Estonians rather than for foreigners.
Värska is one of the biggest centres of Setumaa. The Värska Health Resort
on the shores of Värska Bay amid pine forests is known for its good treatment.
Värska is the right place for those who need a holiday and enjoy an
opportunity to be alone for a while besides treatment in the sanatorium.
In Värska the earth yields different types of tasty and wholesome mineral
waters.
Värska is also one of the biggest Orthodox centres in South-East Estonia. St.
Gregory’s (St. John’s) Great Sufferer’s Russian Orthodox Church, built in
1904 – 1907, is rich in works of artistic merit and well maintained. A wooden
church was on the same site as early as in the 16th century. The graves of
Anne Vabarna (1877-1964, sculptor J. Ollik), the most famous Mother of
Songs, the writer Paul Haavaoks (1924-1983) and the well-known teacher
and educationalist Paul Lehestik (1926-1994) can be found in the cemetery.
Laudsi pettäi [pine] (girth 3.35 m, height 12 m) grows on the outskirts of
Värska, near the plant which bottles mineral water. According to Setu traditions
the straws upon which the deceased lay were burned near the pine of
worship, a bunch of birch twigs which was used for washing the dead body
was left here or a clay bowl for washing the deceased was smashed against
the tree.
Some kilometres from Värska towards Saatse (which also has an interesting
small museum) we can visit the Värska Setu Farm Museum which has a
comprehensive exposition of peculiar Setu culture. In summer every Thursday
a concert is given in the museum.
