Muhu

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Muhu (German: Mohn/Moon; in Estonian also called Muhumaa), is an island in the Baltic Sea. With an area of 198 km2 (76 sq mi) it is the third largest island belonging to Estonia, after Saaremaa and Hiiumaa.

Together with neighbouring smaller islands of Kesselaid, Viirelaid, Võilaid and Suurlaid it forms Muhu Parish (Estonian: Muhu vald), the rural municipality within Saare County. The municipality has a population of 1,697 (as of 19 April 2010) and covers an area of 206.12 km2 (80 sq mi). The population density is 8.8/km2 (23/sq mi).

Geography

The most important villages in Muhu are Kuivastu, Liiva (where the school can be found) and Koguva. In Pädaste, an internationally renowned luxury hotel and spa operates in the restored manor house.

The island is divided from mainland Estonia by the Suur Strait (Moonsund) and from Saaremaa by the Väike Strait. It is linked by ferry to Virtsu in the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway, the Väinatamm. In winter an ice road connects the island to the mainland.

In January 1227, an army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword with Letts, Germans of Riga and native Livonians (20,000 men commanded by William of Modena) crossed on sea ice from the mainland and attacked the island of Saaremaa to reduce the last holdout of pagan Estonians. The Estonians surrendered on Muhu at a circular stronghold called Mona, the earthworks of which are still preserved near the causeway between the islands. This ended the Estonian Crusade.

The Battle of Karuse or Battle on the Ice was fought on 16 February 1270 between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Livonian Order on the frozen Baltic Sea between the Muhu Island and the mainland. The Lithuanians achieved a decisive victory. The battle, named after the Karuse village, was the fifth-largest defeat of the Livonian or Teutonic Orders in the 13th century.

The same waters saw the Battle of Moon Sound in September–October 1917 between Russian and German naval forces.

Muhu is also famous for having the only still-working traditional windmills in Estonia.

Villages of Muhu Parish

Aljava - Hellamaa - Igaküla - Kallaste - Kantsi - Kapi - Kesse - Koguva - Kuivastu - Külasema - Laheküla - Lalli - Leeskopa - Lehtmetsa - Lepiku - Levalõpme - Liiva - Linnuse - Lõetsa - Mäla - Mõega - Mõisaküla - Nautse - Nõmmküla - Nurme - Oina - Pädaste - Päelda - Paenase - Pallasmaa - Pärase - Piiri - Põitse - Raegma - Rannaküla - Rässa - Raugi - Rebaski - Ridasi - Rinsi - Rootsivere - Simisti - Soonda - Suuremõisa - Tamse - Tupenurme - Tusti - Vahtraste - Vanamõisa - Viira - Võiküla - Võlla

Gallery

  • NorthMuhuCoast.JPG

    Northern coast of Muhu

  • MuhuStronghold.JPG

    Muhu Stronghold, site of the native Estonian surrender to crusaders in 1227

  • Muhu stronghold memorial stone2.JPG

    Monument in the center of the Muhu Stronghold

  • Cliffs.JPG

    Üügu cliffs

  • Muhumuseum.jpg

    Muhu museum

  • Rongkäik, Muhu Põhikool.IMG 5102.JPG

    Students and teachers in traditional clothing march in a procession in Liiva

  • In classroom of village school.JPG

    Old village school

  • Old village.JPG

    In Mõega village

  • Muhu traditional clothes

  • Windmill in Koguva(Estonia).jpg

    Windmill in Koguva

See also

External links

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