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Hiiumaa
22. july 2003
Hiiumaa is the second biggest island of Estonia and it is the most forested county in Estonia,the uninhabited areas in the middle are covered with pristine forests,marshes and bogs.
Human inhabitation of Hiiumaa can be trated back to IV milleanium BC. In 1228 the island was first mentioned in written annals under the name Dageida. In 1254 Hiiumaa was devided between Livonian Order and Saare-Lääne bishop. In 1563 Hiiumaa got annexed to Sweden. In 1710, as a result of Great Northern war island goes under the Russian Empire. German military forces occupy Hiiumaa in 1917. In 1918 - 1940 Hiiumaa was part of the Republic of Estonia, then until 1991 occupied by Soviet Union, now recovering again in free estonia.
Churches are undoubtedly among Hiiumaas oldest preserved architectural monuments. One of the oldest stone churches was built in Pühalepa in 1259, destroyed in 16.-17. century and rebuilt in 18. century. Oldest manors of total over two dozens are Putkaste and Lauka. Most beautiful is Suuremõisa palace in Pühalepa, late barock style from 1755 - 1772.
On demands of the Hanseatic League a lighthouse was built in Kõpu in the beginning of 16. century. It is considered the third oldest continuously operative lighthouse in the whole world, still showing its light to 35 miles to the sea. In 1874 and 1875 two metal lighthouses were built in France and put to northern and western tops of Hiiumaa.
The best part of the farm architecture comes from the 19. century. Best examples are Mihkli farming complexe and Soera farm-museum with all the old national artefacts.
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