Rukkirahu
Encyclopedia
Rukkirahu is a small, uninhabited island in the Baltic Sea
belonging to the country of Estonia
.
Rukkirahu lies off the western coast of Estonia, between the mainland in the Väinameri Strait and is located west of the mainland village of Rohuküla
, near the city of Haapsalu
. The island belongs administratively to the municipality of Ridala Parish
in Lääne County
.
The island's name origins are traced to a time when grain was transported across the winter road on the frozen sea from Hiiumaa to the mainland. As rye
was one of grains transported during winter months, some would inevitably trickle out on the stopover on Rukkirahu and then germinate on the island in spring.
Since 1860, a prominent, operational lighthouse has been in use on the island, especially important for sea links between Heltermaa
on the island of Hiiumaa
and Rohuküla on the Estonian mainland. The current lighthouse dates from 1940 and the light is visible at night 5 to 6 nautical miles.
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...
belonging to the country of 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...
.
Rukkirahu lies off the western coast of Estonia, between the mainland in the Väinameri Strait and is located west of the mainland village of Rohuküla
Rohuküla
Rohuküla is a village in Ridala Parish, Lääne County, in western Estonia....
, near the city of Haapsalu
Haapsalu
Haapsalu is a seaside resort town located on the west coast of Estonia. It's the administrative centre of Lääne County and has a population of 11,618 ....
. The island belongs administratively to the municipality of Ridala Parish
Ridala Parish
Ridala is a rural municipality of Estonia, in Lääne County. It has a population of 3,017 and an area of 253.4 km².- Villages :Aamse, Allika, Ammuta, Emmuvere, Erja, Espre, Haeska, Herjava, Hobulaiu, Jõõdre, Kabrametsa, Kadaka, Kaevere, Kiideva, Kiltsi, Kiviküla, Koheri, Koidu, Kolila, Kolu,...
in Lääne County
Lääne County
Lääne County , or Läänemaa , is one of 15 counties of Estonia. It is located in western Estonia and borders Baltic Sea to the north, Harju County to the north-east, Rapla County to the east, Pärnu County to the south, and the island counties of Saare and Hiiu to the west...
.
The island's name origins are traced to a time when grain was transported across the winter road on the frozen sea from Hiiumaa to the mainland. As rye
Rye
Rye is a grass grown extensively as a grain and as a forage crop. It is a member of the wheat tribe and is closely related to barley and wheat. Rye grain is used for flour, rye bread, rye beer, some whiskeys, some vodkas, and animal fodder...
was one of grains transported during winter months, some would inevitably trickle out on the stopover on Rukkirahu and then germinate on the island in spring.
Since 1860, a prominent, operational lighthouse has been in use on the island, especially important for sea links between Heltermaa
Heltermaa
Heltermaa is a village in Pühalepa Parish, Hiiu County in northwestern Estonia....
on the island of 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:...
and Rohuküla on the Estonian mainland. The current lighthouse dates from 1940 and the light is visible at night 5 to 6 nautical miles.