Haapsalu Old Town, Estonia

Haapsalu (in Estonian, “aspen grove”) is an old resort town in western Estonia dating back to the 13th century, when the Episcopal Castle was built here at the place of an old settlement.

The castle is one of the main Haapsalu attractions, perfectly preserved to this day but known not only for its unique architecture. There is a legend that the ghost of the White Lady resides in the castle. She was the priest’s beloved who was immured alive in the wall of the chapel. Her lover was also killed either in prison, or in a pit with tigers. Every August at the full moon, the White Lady appears in the castle and mourns her beloved. To celebrate the infinity of love, people hold a music festival in her honor at this time of the year.

Another important sight of the city is the old railway station. It consists of two parts: the emperor’s station and the one for ordinary residents. Its platform is one of the longest in Europe, but today the trains do not operate here, and on the site of the station you will find the railway museum.

Tourists also come to Haapsalu for recreation purposes. In the 19th century, in the ouskirts of the city, healing mud was discovered, and since then, sanatoriums have been built around to take advantage of it, offering the guests various treatment and health procedures.

You can get to Haapsalu by bus or by car from Tallinn, it will take you about 30 min.

Haapsalu, Estonia