Saaremaa
The island known today as Saaremaa appeared in early medieval Scandinavian texts under the name Eysýsla. Old Norse speakers used this term to mean 'the island district' when distinguishing it from Aðalsýsla, or the great mainland district. Archaeological evidence places human presence on the land at least 5000 BCE. By 700, 750 CE, Nordic Iron Age ship burials existed within the Sõrve Peninsula. Viking sagas describe numerous skirmishes between these islanders and raiding parties from across the sea. The Chronicle of Henry of Livonia records a fleet of sixteen ships carrying five hundred Osilians who ravaged southern Sweden around 1187. This attack targeted the Swedish town of Sigtuna and resulted in the death of Archbishop Johannes. Some sources suggest Gunnar Hámundarson from Iceland participated in a raid near 1000 CE where he took an atgeir spear from a man named Hallgrímur. The island's modern Estonian name translates literally to 'land of the isle'. Danish, German, and Swedish versions of the name all derive directly from that ancient Scandinavian root. Latvian speakers call the place something meaning 'the island of Saami'. Historians sometimes identify this location as Ultima Thule, the mythical edge of the known world.
The Livonian Brothers of the Sword conquered Saaremaa in 1227 during the Livonian Crusade. Local resistance remained strong even after the initial military defeat. The crusaders established the Bishopric of Ösel, Wiek on the island. A treaty signed by the Osilians and the Master of the Order ended the conflict following the Battle of Saule in 1236. In 1237, the Sword-Brothers were absorbed into the Teutonic Order. Construction began in 1380 on Kuressaare Castle, also known as Schloss Arensburg in German. This fortress was built for the bishops of Ösel, Wiek and stands today as one of the most well-preserved medieval castles in Estonia. Christianity became more established as the crusader hold strengthened. Unique medieval churches remain scattered across Kaarma, Karja, Kihelkonna, Muhu, Pöide, Püha, and Valjala. Most of the territory was ruled directly by the Bishopric while parts were enfeoffed to the Livonian Order. By the 14th century, inhabitants had begun resettling villages along the Livonian coast.
In 1559, the bishopric and Saaremaa were sold to Denmark, becoming part of Danish Estonia. From 1570 until 1645, the entire island remained under Danish possession. The Treaty of Brömsebro ceded Saaremaa from Denmark-Norway to Sweden in 1645. The Swedish name for the island was Ösel during this period. The Treaty of Nystad transferred control to the Russian Empire in 1721. It became a part of the Governorate of Livonia. A spa opened in Kuressaare in 1840, sparking a renaissance for the town then known as Arensburg. Imperial German forces conquered the West Estonian Archipelago in October 1917 during Operation Albion. They held the area until hostilities ended in November 1918. Following World War I, the island joined the newly independent Republic of Estonia. Most local Baltic Germans were resettled to Germany after the August 1939 Nazi, Soviet Pact. Soviet Red Army troops occupied the island in June 1940. Formal annexation into the Stalinist USSR occurred in August 1940. On the 8th of August 1941, Soviet Naval Aviation began bombing runs on Berlin from Saaremaa bases. Nazi Germany invaded later that year during Operation Beowulf. German troops were expelled and the Soviet Red Army reoccupied the island in October and November 1944 during the Moonsund Landing Operation.
In 1946, Soviet military authorities declared Saaremaa a restricted zone closed to all non-local civilians. Mainland Estonians and foreigners were barred from entry. This status remained in effect until 1989 when restrictions finally lifted. The island served as a strategic military location throughout the Cold War era. A Soviet air base operated at Aste Airfield during this period. Plans to connect Saaremaa to the mainland by bridge or tunnel are still being studied today. The closure isolated the population for over four decades. Local residents lived under strict surveillance while the rest of the world changed around them. Estonia regained full independence in August 1991 after years of occupation. The transition from a closed military zone to an open society required significant infrastructure development. Tourism statistics show that 35% of foreign tourists revisit the area now that access is unrestricted.
More than 10,000 years ago the first parts of Saaremaa arose from the Baltic Ice Lake. Earth's crust continues to uplift today at a measurable rate per year. The West Estonian islands form low-lying plains resting on limestone with average elevation roughly above sea level. Limestone has become denuded in many places creating cliffs and quarries at Mustjala, Ninase, Pulli, Üügu, and Kaugatuma. Kaali crater sits on the island as one of its most famous geological features. The largest of nine unique meteorite craters measures approximately 45 meters in diameter. It contains a small lake known as Lake Kaali. The meteor cluster had an impact velocity of about 20 kilometers per second. A mass of roughly 20 tons broke apart at an altitude of 460 meters. The largest fragment produced the main crater with a depth of 18 meters. Eight smaller craters range from 2 to 10 meters in diameter within 1 kilometer of the main site. Age estimates vary between 4000 ± 1000 BCE and 660 ± 85 BCE. The energy released was comparable to 20 kilotons of TNT burning forests within a radius of 1.5 kilometers.
Saaremaa hosts 80% of all plant species found in Estonia across its diverse terrain. Altogether 1200 species of vascular plants grow here including rare flowers like Rhinanthus osiliensis. About 120 local plant species have received special protection status due to their rarity. Over 40% of the land is covered by mixed forests though some areas contain broad-leaved deciduous trees. These trees are relicts of plant communities from former milder climatic periods. Alvars, limestone areas covered with thin soil and stunted vegetation, were once common but now face decline. Nature conservation planning includes protecting the largest alvar areas on the island. Coastal waters host indigenous gray seals in three large permanent resting areas off the western and southern coasts. Ringed seals appear everywhere in coastal waters despite their timidity preventing accurate population counts. Hundreds of thousands of migratory birds visit each spring and autumn along the East Atlantic Flyway. Barnacle geese, mute swans, whooper swans, eiders, and shelducks hold protected status. The islands lack moles, minks, otters, brown bears, and Eurasian lynx which are infrequent guests.
The island's population numbered 31,435 as of January 2020 according to official census data. TS Laevad operates ferries from Virtsu on the mainland to Kuivastu on Muhu island. A causeway called Väinatamm connects Muhu directly to Saaremaa. Passenger services run from Roomassaare to Abruka while ice roads form during many winters between mainland and islands. Regular bus services connect Tallinn, Pärnu, and Tartu via ferry routes. Kuressaare Airport offers flights to Tallinn operated by NyxAir with additional services to Ruhnu and Pärnu by Diamond Sky. Dolomite remains the most famous local resource alongside limestone, curative mud, mineral water, ceramic clay, sand, and gravel. Tourism drives significant economic activity with 95% of domestic tourists revisiting the area. The region sits in the heart of the Baltic region containing 70 million consumers. FC Kuressaare competes in the first tier of Estonian football known as Meistriliiga. The island has participated in the biannual Island Games since 1991 winning over 356 medals total. Annual events like the Saaremaa Rally attract thousands of fans each October.
Common questions
What was the original name of Saaremaa in early medieval Scandinavian texts?
The island known today as Saaremaa appeared in early medieval Scandinavian texts under the name Eysýsla. Old Norse speakers used this term to mean 'the island district' when distinguishing it from Aðalsýsla, or the great mainland district.
When did the Livonian Brothers of the Sword conquer Saaremaa during the Livonian Crusade?
The Livonian Brothers of the Sword conquered Saaremaa in 1227 during the Livonian Crusade. Local resistance remained strong even after the initial military defeat before a treaty signed by the Osilians and the Master of the Order ended the conflict following the Battle of Saule in 1236.
How long was Saaremaa closed to non-local civilians due to Soviet restrictions?
Soviet military authorities declared Saaremaa a restricted zone closed to all non-local civilians in 1946. This status remained in effect until 1989 when restrictions finally lifted, isolating the population for over four decades.
What are the geological features of the Kaali crater on Saaremaa?
Kaali crater sits on the island as one of its most famous geological features with the largest of nine unique meteorite craters measuring approximately 45 meters in diameter. It contains a small lake known as Lake Kaali and has an age estimate varying between 4000 ± 1000 BCE and 660 ± 85 BCE.
Which plant species does Saaremaa host that make up 80% of all plants found in Estonia?
Saaremaa hosts 80% of all plant species found in Estonia across its diverse terrain including about 120 local plant species that have received special protection status due to their rarity. Altogether 1200 species of vascular plants grow here including rare flowers like Rhinanthus osiliensis.