PÄRNU

THE SUMMER CAPITAL OF ESTONIA

Location

Located on Estonia's west coast, it's easy Located on Estonia's west coast, it's easy to reach. By road it only takes 1.5 hours to reach. By road it only takes 1.5 hours to get here from Tallinn, and about 2 to get here from Tallinn, and about 2 hours from Riga.hours from Riga.

History 1

It was founded c.1250 by the Livonian Knights and It was founded c.1250 by the Livonian Knights and became a city of the Hanseatic League. After the became a city of the Hanseatic League. After the dissolution (1561) of the Livonian Order it was contested dissolution (1561) of the Livonian Order it was contested by Sweden, Russia, and Poland. by Sweden, Russia, and Poland.

Since the mid 19th century, Estonians, Russians and Since the mid 19th century, Estonians, Russians and Germans have come to Pärnu to relax and to be cured Germans have come to Pärnu to relax and to be cured from innumerable ailments by the mud bath. The from innumerable ailments by the mud bath. The numerous spa facilities for which the town is known numerous spa facilities for which the town is known provide excellent opportunities for the tourists. Everything provide excellent opportunities for the tourists. Everything from mud treatments to aromatherapy massages is from mud treatments to aromatherapy massages is available.available.

History 2

TThe town became part of independent he town became part of independent Estonia in 1918 following World War I.Estonia in 1918 following World War I.

From 1699-1710 The University of Dorpat From 1699-1710 The University of Dorpat (Tartu)was relocated here. Today, the (Tartu)was relocated here. Today, the university has a branch campus here. university has a branch campus here.

Attractions

Its main features are its well-developed Its main features are its well-developed beach and cosy, rustic Old Town. The beach and cosy, rustic Old Town. The latter is built along Rüütli, a charming, latter is built along Rüütli, a charming, pedestrianised street where Pärnu's pedestrianised street where Pärnu's best dining and shopping are found.best dining and shopping are found.

Beach

Pärnu is the nation's premier beach town Pärnu is the nation's premier beach town and spa getaway. and spa getaway.

Out of season, the town is very quiet. Out of season, the town is very quiet.

Culture

Modern Pärnu is represented by its concert hall, built in Modern Pärnu is represented by its concert hall, built in 2002. 2002.

Lydia Koidula (1843-1886) was a well-known poetess, Lydia Koidula (1843-1886) was a well-known poetess, publicist and public figure of the Estonian publicist and public figure of the Estonian Enlightenment period. Koidula’s Memorial Museum is Enlightenment period. Koidula’s Memorial Museum is at 37 Jannseni St. The monument, which was the at 37 Jannseni St. The monument, which was the last work by sculptor A. Adamson, dates from 1929.last work by sculptor A. Adamson, dates from 1929.

Theatre Endla

Estonian-language theatre activity in Pärnu began in Estonian-language theatre activity in Pärnu began in 1875, when the amateur singing and acting society Endla, 1875, when the amateur singing and acting society Endla, was founded. In 1911 it turned into a professional theatre was founded. In 1911 it turned into a professional theatre and erected an Art Nouveau building in the centre of the and erected an Art Nouveau building in the centre of the city. city.

From its balcony in February 1918 the new Estonian From its balcony in February 1918 the new Estonian Republic was first proclaimed. During World War II the Republic was first proclaimed. During World War II the building suffered serious damage and was finally building suffered serious damage and was finally demolished. In the intervening years the company worked demolished. In the intervening years the company worked in temporary rooms. In 1967 it got a new building, which in temporary rooms. In 1967 it got a new building, which in 2001 was substantially renovated.in 2001 was substantially renovated.

Sport

There are 79 sports organisations in Pärnu, incl. a There are 79 sports organisations in Pärnu, incl. a municipal sports school, four private sports schools, municipal sports school, four private sports schools, a sports federation, a sports society, a sports a sports federation, a sports society, a sports association and 71 sports clubs.association and 71 sports clubs.

Our champions- Andrus Veerpalu- skier, Jüri Our champions- Andrus Veerpalu- skier, Jüri Jaanson, Kaisa Pajusalu, Tõnu Endrekson-rowers, Jaanson, Kaisa Pajusalu, Tõnu Endrekson-rowers, etc.etc.

Two Bridges Club

On the first Sunday of September, the summer capital of On the first Sunday of September, the summer capital of Estonia welcomes 1,500 runners, with nearly 700 people Estonia welcomes 1,500 runners, with nearly 700 people walking and Nordic Pole walking, participating in the walking and Nordic Pole walking, participating in the “Bridges Walking” event, and children taking part in “Bridges Walking” event, and children taking part in Children’s Runs. The weekend full of sports events has Children’s Runs. The weekend full of sports events has something to offer for everyone.something to offer for everyone.

The nearly 9 km run along the banks of the Pärnu River The nearly 9 km run along the banks of the Pärnu River welcomes the most of Estonian top runners as well as welcomes the most of Estonian top runners as well as participants from abroad. participants from abroad.