Muhu
Encyclopedia
Muhu is an island
in the Baltic Sea
. With an area of 198 km² 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 , 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. The population density is 8.8 inhabitants per km².
Most important villages in Muhu are Kuivastu
, Liiva
(where the school can be found) and Koguva
.
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.
Muhu is also famous for having the only still-working windmill
s in the whole country of Estonia, and for the Battle of Moon Sound
in September-October 1917 between Russian and German naval forces (and three daring British submarines).
- 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
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
in the Baltic Sea
Baltic Sea
The Baltic Sea is a brackish mediterranean sea located in Northern Europe, from 53°N to 66°N latitude and from 20°E to 26°E longitude. It is bounded by the Scandinavian Peninsula, the mainland of Europe, and the Danish islands. It drains into the Kattegat by way of the Øresund, the Great Belt and...
. With an area of 198 km² it is the third largest island belonging to Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, after Saaremaa
Saaremaa
Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia, measuring 2,673 km². The main island of Saare County, it is located in the Baltic Sea, south of Hiiumaa island, and belongs to the West Estonian Archipelago...
and Hiiumaa
Hiiumaa
Hiiumaa is the second largest island belonging to Estonia. It is located in the Baltic Sea, north of the island of Saaremaa, a part of the West Estonian archipelago. Its largest town is Kärdla.-Name:...
.
Together with neighbouring smaller islands of Kesselaid
Kesselaid
Kesselaid is a Estonian islet located between the mainland and the island of Muhu in the Suur väin which connects the Väinameri Sea and the Gulf of Riga...
, Viirelaid
Viirelaid
Viirelaid is a small island in the Baltic Sea belonging to the country of Estonia. Viirelaid lies southeast of the island of Muhu. Together with Muhu and neighbouring small islands of Kesselaid, Võilaid and Suurlaid it forms Muhu Parish , the rural municipality within Saare County, Estonia. Its...
, Võilaid
Võilaid
Võilaid is a small, uninhabited island in the Baltic Sea belonging to the country of Estonia. Its coordinates are Võilaid lies southeast of the Estonian island of Muhu in the Gulf of Riga. The island is 2.5 hectares and uninhabited. In the spring and summer months, the island is used for grazing...
and Suurlaid
Suurlaid
Suurlaid is a small island in the Baltic Sea belonging to the country of Estonia. Its coordinates are Suurlaid lies just off south coast of the Estonian island of Muhu. Together Muhu and neighbouring islands Viirelaid, Võilaid it forms Muhu Parish , the rural municipality within Saare County,...
it forms Muhu Parish , the rural municipality
Municipalities of Estonia
A Municipality is the smallest administrative subdivision of Estonia. Each municipality is a unit of self-government with its representative and executive bodies. The municipalities in Estonia cover the entire territory of the country....
within Saare County
Saare County
Saare County , or Saaremaa, is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It consists of Saaremaa , the largest island of Estonia, and several smaller islands near it. The county borders Lääne County to the east and Hiiu County to the north...
. The municipality has a population of 1,697 (as of 19 April 2010) and covers an area of 206.12 km². The population density is 8.8 inhabitants per km².
Most important villages in Muhu are Kuivastu
Kuivastu
Kuivastu is a village in the eastern coast of the island of Muhu and a seat of the primary port of Saaremaa, the biggest island of Estonia. The corresponding port on the continental side is Virtsu. Muhu and Saaremaa are distinct islands, but are connected with the largest bridge in Estonia, the...
, Liiva
Liiva
Liiva may refer to several places in Estonia:*Aidu-Liiva, a place in Jõelähtme Parish, Harju County*Erra-Liiva, a village in Sonda Parish, Ida-Viru County*Kalevi-Liiva, a place in Jõelähtme Parish, Harju County*Liiva, Tallinn, subdistrict of Tallinn...
(where the school can be found) and Koguva
Koguva
Koguva is a village on the Muhu island of the Saare County of Estonia.Koguva was first mentioned in 1532 by Wolter von Plettenberg in document to grant freedom for peasant called Hansken and his son and their descendants. Hansken descendants became called by surname Schmuul later.Koguva is a small,...
.
The island is divided from mainland Estonia by the Suur Strait (Moonsund) and from Saaremaa
Saaremaa
Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia, measuring 2,673 km². The main island of Saare County, it is located in the Baltic Sea, south of Hiiumaa island, and belongs to the West Estonian Archipelago...
by the Väike Strait. It is linked by ferry to Virtsu
Virtsu
Virtsu is a small borough in Hanila Parish, Lääne County, Estonia. It lies on the Western coast of continental Estonia, and a location of the main port for traffic to and from Saaremaa, the largest island of Estonia. The corresponding port on Saaremaa's side is Kuivastu, located on the island of...
in the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway, the Väinatamm
Väinatamm
Väinatamm is the name of the largest causeway in Estonia. The causeway, opened in 1896, connects the island of Muhu, located between Saaremaa and the continent, with Saaremaa. Construction of the causeway cut the sea crossing between the continent and Saaremaa by about half, and transit time even...
. In winter an ice road
Ice road
Ice roads are frozen, human-made structures on the surface of bays, rivers, lakes, or seas in the far north. They link dry land, frozen waterways, portages and winter roads, and are usually remade each winter. Ice roads allow temporary transport to areas with no permanent road access...
connects the island to the mainland.
In January 1227, an army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword
Livonian Brothers of the Sword
The Livonian Brothers of the Sword were a military order founded by Bishop Albert of Riga in 1202. Pope Innocent III sanctioned the establishment in 1204. The membership of the order comprised German "warrior monks"...
with Letts, Germans of Riga and native Livonians (20,000 men commanded by William of Modena
William of Modena
William of Modena , also known as William of Sabina, Guglielmo de Chartreaux, Guglielmo de Savoy, Guillelmus, was an Italian clergyman and papal diplomat. He was frequently appointed a legate, or papal ambassador by the popes Honorius III and Gregory IX, especially in Livonia in the 1220s and in...
) 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.
Muhu is also famous for having the only still-working windmill
Windmill
A windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind into rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or blades. Originally windmills were developed for milling grain for food production. In the course of history the windmill was adapted to many other industrial uses. An important...
s in the whole country of Estonia, and for the Battle of Moon Sound
Battle of Moon Sound
The Battle of Moon Sound was a naval battle in World War I, fought on 17 October 1917 between naval forces of the German and Russian Empires in the Baltic Sea....
in September-October 1917 between Russian and German naval forces (and three daring British submarines).
Villages of Muhu Parish
AljavaAljava
Aljava is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Hellamaa
Hellamaa, Saare County
Hellamaa, Saare County is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Igaküla
Igaküla
Igaküla is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Kallaste
Kallaste, Muhu Parish
Kallaste, Muhu Parish is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Kantsi
Kantsi
Kantsi is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Kapi
Kapi, Estonia
Kapi, Estonia is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Kesse
Kesselaid
Kesselaid is a Estonian islet located between the mainland and the island of Muhu in the Suur väin which connects the Väinameri Sea and the Gulf of Riga...
- Koguva
Koguva
Koguva is a village on the Muhu island of the Saare County of Estonia.Koguva was first mentioned in 1532 by Wolter von Plettenberg in document to grant freedom for peasant called Hansken and his son and their descendants. Hansken descendants became called by surname Schmuul later.Koguva is a small,...
- Kuivastu
Kuivastu
Kuivastu is a village in the eastern coast of the island of Muhu and a seat of the primary port of Saaremaa, the biggest island of Estonia. The corresponding port on the continental side is Virtsu. Muhu and Saaremaa are distinct islands, but are connected with the largest bridge in Estonia, the...
- Külasema
Külasema
Külasema is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Laheküla
Laheküla, Muhu Parish
Laheküla, Muhu Parish is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Lalli
Lalli, Saare County
Lalli, Saare County is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Leeskopa
Leeskopa
Leeskopa is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Lehtmetsa
Lehtmetsa, Saare County
Lehtmetsa, Saare County is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Lepiku
Lepiku, Saare County
Lepiku, Saare County is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Levalõpme
Levalõpme
Levalõpme is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Liiva
Liiva, Muhu Parish
Liiva, Muhu Parish is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Linnuse
Linnuse, Muhu Parish
Linnuse, Muhu Parish is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Lõetsa
Lõetsa
Lõetsa is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Mäla
Mäla
Mäla is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Mõega
Mõega
Mõega is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Mõisaküla
Mõisaküla, Muhu Parish
Mõisaküla, Muhu Parish is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Nautse
Nautse
Nautse is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Nõmmküla
Nõmmküla, Saare County
Nõmmküla, Saare County is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Nurme
Nurme, Muhu Parish
Nurme, Muhu Parish is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Oina
Oina, Estonia
Oina, Estonia is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Pädaste
Pädaste
Pädaste is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Päelda
Päelda
Päelda is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Paenase
Paenase
Paenase is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Pallasmaa
Pallasmaa
Pallasmaa is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Pärase
Pärase
Pärase is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Piiri
Piiri, Saare County
Piiri, Saare County is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Põitse
Põitse
Põitse is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Raegma
Raegma
Raegma is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Rannaküla
Rannaküla, Muhu Parish
Rannaküla, Muhu Parish is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Rässa
Rässa
Rässa is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Raugi
Raugi
Raugi is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Rebaski
Rebaski
Rebaski is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Ridasi
Ridasi
Ridasi is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Rinsi
Rinsi
Rinsi is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Rootsivere
Rootsivere
Rootsivere is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Simisti
Simisti
Simisti is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Soonda
Soonda
Soonda is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Suuremõisa
Suuremõisa, Saare County
Suuremõisa, Saare County is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Tamse
Tamse
Tamse is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Tupenurme
Tupenurme
Tupenurme is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Tusti
Tusti, Saare County
Tusti, Saare County is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Vahtraste
Vahtraste
Vahtraste is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Vanamõisa
Vanamõisa, Muhu Parish
Vanamõisa, Muhu Parish is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Viira
Viira, Muhu Parish
Viira, Muhu Parish is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Võiküla
Võiküla
Võiküla is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
- Võlla
Võlla, Saare County
Võlla, Saare County is a village in Muhu Parish, Saare County in western Estonia....
See also
- Municipalities of EstoniaMunicipalities of EstoniaA Municipality is the smallest administrative subdivision of Estonia. Each municipality is a unit of self-government with its representative and executive bodies. The municipalities in Estonia cover the entire territory of the country....
- List of municipalities of Estonia
- List of islands of Estonia