Varbola Stronghold was in use from the 12th to the 14th century, while Mukri Bog formed around 10,000 years ago. In Rapla, historic sites and landscapes therefore tell stories spanning very different time scales. Museums also share stories about everyday life, crafts and the history of the region.
History, crafts and everyday life
The courtyard of Varbola Stronghold served as a cemetery from the 15th to the 17th century. At around two hectares in area, with an approximately 580-metre-long rampart, the scale of the site is easy to grasp. Its history encompasses different uses: after its time as a stronghold, the courtyard was used as a burial ground.
Atla-Eeru Tavern is the only preserved peasant tavern in Estonia. Visitors can bake their own bread there; if you plan to take part in this workshop, it is best to confirm availability before your trip. Mahtra Peasant Museum takes a different approach: it displays everyday objects and tools from the 19th century and provides background on, and recounts the events of, the Mahtra War of 1858.
Sillaotsa Farm Museum presents the life and customs of the Velise community from the 19th century to modern times. Horseback riding or carriage rides are available by prior arrangement; check availability before your trip. The 17-hectare grounds are home to almost 200 different species of trees and shrubs. A visit to the museum therefore encompasses both cultural history and a diverse plant collection.
The history of glassmaking takes centre stage in Järvakandi. The first glass workshop there was established in 1879. Järvakandi Glass Museum explores the history of the glass industry in Järvakandi and Estonia, offers lessons on the fundamentals, methods and technologies of glassmaking, and displays exhibits in an exhibition building. The lessons offered and exhibition layout may change; if you have specific plans, check what is currently available. A striking building from a different tradition is Rapla Maarja-Magdaleena Church: built in 1901, it is Estonia’s only rural church with two towers.
Bog trails, a lake and karst
Mukri Bog is one of Estonia’s oldest bogs. Mukri Lake covers 2.2 hectares and has small islands and water lilies. At Mukri Nature Trail, an 18-metre-high observation tower offers views across the entire bog; check access to the tower locally before your visit.
For a relatively short walk, Jalase Nature Trail follows an approximately one-kilometre boardwalk through Sõbessoo Bog to Lake Jalase. The trail is accessible to wheelchair users and strollers; after severe weather, check the condition of the boardwalk. The Paluküla-Loosalu Nature Trail requires considerably more time: the circular route is approximately 15 kilometres long, and you should allow four to five hours for the hike. The trail connects Hiiemäe, at 106 metres the highest peak in western Estonia, with the bog island of Loosalu. At the Loosalu end, there is a fire pit and a picnic area with firewood, as well as a dry toilet. These outdoor facilities may vary by season.
The Kuimetsa karst area features collapsed valleys, sinkholes, depressions, channels and caves. Five caves are large enough to enter on foot; one is twelve metres long and eight metres wide. Whether the caves are accessible may vary depending on water levels and conditions.
Walks and regional experiences
For a walk in Rapla, there is Jõepromenaad, completed in 2006 and a popular place for a stroll. It offers a different way to spend your time than the trails through bog and karst. Another regional suggestion is the Rapla County section of the Follow the Water route, which includes a ride in a raft sauna on the Vigala River. As this activity’s availability may vary, check before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Kastna, Rappel, Märjamaa, Kõrbja, Käru, Käru, Kohila, Järvakandi Vald, Märjamaa, Kuusiku, Saunaküla, Vigala, Kehtna Parish, Rapla.
See the broader travel overview: Estonia.
