Europe’s only surviving bottle kiln used for cement production is on display at the Kunda Cement Museum. The Kunda Tourist Information Centre is also located in the same museum, at 11 Jaama Street. Here, a tangible trace of industrial history meets a practical starting point for visiting the town. Kunda also offers archaeological and church-related points of interest, as well as destinations by the river and the sea. You can therefore choose between different themes for your stay.
Early traces and local history
A settlement of Mesolithic hunters and fishers was established on Lammasmägi in the 7th millennium BC. The name of the archaeological Kunda culture also refers to finds associated with Kunda. These are two distinct historical connections: Lammasmägi refers to a specific settlement site and period, while the culture takes its name from the finds. Together, they offer an archaeological perspective that reaches far back before the history of cement.
Another perspective on local history leads to Kunda’s stone church. It was consecrated in 1928; its altar faces west rather than east. This orientation is a striking architectural detail and complements the archaeological themes with a more recent point of interest. Those interested in cultural history can thus include different historical periods in their selection.
Cement and the industrial complex
The industrial building complex of Kunda Manor is protected as a cultural monument. It includes a watermill, a two-storey canal system, artificial rapids and a weir. These features show that the manor’s industrial history is not associated with just one building. The manor’s hydroelectric plant is considered Estonia’s first manor hydroelectric plant.
Cement production is also associated with a specific year: the first tonnes of cement were produced in Kunda in 1870 under the direction of John Girard de Soucanton. The surviving bottle kiln can also be seen at the Kunda Cement Museum. The history of production, technical heritage and the protected manor complex offer different points of interest for a cultural and historical stay. Depending on whether you are more interested in production, technical facilities or archaeological traces, you can choose a different focus.
River, activities and beach
The Lontova Adventure Park is located on the banks of the Kunda River in Kunda. The park includes a team area, a low ropes course, a high ropes course and a children’s area. These different areas give you a clear overview of the activities on offer, without requiring you to treat them as one single programme.
Kunda Beach offers a different focus: this public, family-friendly beach is by the sea. A wooden boardwalk provides access for prams and wheelchair users. The beach and the park therefore offer two different ways to shape your stay beyond the historical themes.
Getting around Kunda
Information boards about Kunda’s history are located around Lontova Manor. They complement the themes of the museum and the protected industrial complex with further information about local history. On the Kunda–Eisma section of the Forest Trail, you can use the bus as an alternative. Check the seasonal timetables before your trip if you would like to take this option into account when planning.
You can tailor your search for hotels for your stay in Kunda to the subjects that interest you most locally.
Discover more destinations: Kunda, Tapa, Käsmu, Vihula, Vinni, Väike-Maarja, Tamsalu, Kirikuküla.
See the wider travel overview: Lääne-Viru.
