There are many churches and chapels that are of interest in the eastern part of Harju County, which all pilgrims should take a look at. The routes are recommended, and largely run away from major highways, allowing visitors the enjoyment of Harjumaa’s beautiful sights, all of its natural and cultural sights and its fishing villages and new settlements, life on mainland and life on small islands. The choice of transport is up to the pilgrim. You can travel on foot or by bicycle. There are places that you can reach by train. The most convenient option is to travel by car, but the areas around the capital have a good network of cycle and pedestrian tracks which is excellent for travelling by bicycle. PILGRIMAGE ROUTES IN EAST HARJUMAA ROUTE Tallinn-Viru Square - Viimsi Peninsula - Maardu - Jõelähtme Municipality - Kuusalu Town - Leesi & Juminda Peninsula - Loksa City - Viinistu Village - Raasiku Town - Pikva Village - Kose Town - Jüri Town - Kostivere - Tallinn Tallinn The pilgrimage to Harjumaa starts in Tallinn, and first of all we recommend heading towards Viimsi Peninsula. You can take bus No. 1 from the bus terminal in Viru Keskus in the heart of Tallinn or go by bicycle, on foot, or by car. When you start your journey, you will first have to use Pirita Road to reach the small town of Haabneeme, and thereafter you travel towards Püünsi. If you travel by bicycle, you can use the bicycle and pedestrian track. The entire Viimsi Peninsula is covered with bicycle and pedestrian tracks and the peninsula is very safe to travel around. Viimsi Peninsula This is a peninsula that is located in North Estonia, bordering to the west the country’s capital of Tallinn and to the east Muuga Bay. The peninsula’s total area is approximately 50km2, while it is 10km in length and an average of 5km wide. Together with the islands of Naissaare, Prangli, Aksi, Tiirloodi, Keri, Kräsuli, Seinakari, Kumbli and Pandju, the peninsula makes up Viimsi Municipality. The distance between Viru Square in the heart of Tallinn and St Jacob’s Church in Viimsi is 13km. 1. Viimsi St Jacob’s Church in Pringi Village - built in 2003 This was the first new Lutheran church to be built in Estonia after the conclusion of the Second World War (architects Martin Aunin and Erkki Ristoja). The shrine on the beach was consecrated on 25 July 2007 and was erected to commemorate those who had perished at sea and also to serve the local people. The steeple bells, Memento Mori and Memento Vivere, were cast in the Netherlands. In Haabneeme, on Rohuneeme Road, some twenty metres towards Püünsi, is the Oratory of the Viimsi Free Congregation, which you should also visit and which provides accommodation. Whilst you are already in the area, we recommend visiting the Viimsi Open Air Museum and the Museum of Coastal Folk that is just a kilometre away from the congregation house. At the end of the peninsula, in the village of Rohuneeme, you will find Rohuneeme Chapel, 5km away from the Open Air Museum. 2. Rohuneeme Chapel - built in 1882 The former new chapel of Aegna Island, which was taken along with them when the inhabitants were evacuated in 1922 and was rebuilt on its current plot of land which was given as a gift by the owners of the Oti Farm, the brothers Julius and Ferdinand Lambot. The chapel has been renovated and is well maintained. To reach the eastern side of the Peninsula, head towards Leppneeme, travelling through the villages of Kelvingi, Leppneeme, and Tammneeme, and head for the village of Randvere, where you will find Randvere Church. The distance between the tip of Rohuneeme and Randvere Village is 13km. 3. Randvere Church - built in 1852. A small limestone neo-Gothic church that was initially built without a steeple. The church was established in 1803, next to a cemetery. Initially it functioned as chapel-of-rest for Jõelähtme Church. In 1882, the church building was expanded and the steeple was added. The altar painting, ‘The Calling of the Apostle Peter’, was given as a gift by farm owner Karl Neem in 1872. Viimsi Peninsula is rich in natural and cultural heritage. Thanks to this it is also well worth a visit for other points of interests, such as the Devil’s Cave, Viimsi lighthouse, the Museum of Coastal Folk, the Open Air Museum, and Laidoner’s War Museum in Viimsi Manor, or go from Leppneeme Harbour to Prangli Island where you will find the small and cosy Prangli Church. NB: Plan a full day when it comes to visiting the islands Where to sleep and eat in Viimsi you will find http://www.visitharju.ee/en/ From Viimsi Peninsula, travel through Muuga to Maardu. The distance from Randvere Church to Maardu Church is 10km. The former area of holiday cottages has become a residential area and the Port of Muuga is on the way, in which you can find the ecumenical Chapel of the Seafarers Centre. Maardu City The city of Maardu is located in the immediate vicinity of the St Petersburg Highway, between 13- 18km north-east of Tallinn. The city’s total area is 22.76km2. The city borders Jõelähtme and Viimsi municipalities. The Port of Muuga is situated in the northern part of Maardu, while towards the west you will find the Muuga garden town and in the north-eastern area lies the Kallavere residential area. South of the city you will find Lake Maardu. Today, Maardu is an important industrial area. 4. Orthodox Church of the Archangel Michael in Maardu - built in 1998 This traditional-style red brick church is in a remarkably beautiful location. Among the points of interest in the churchyard is the bell that was taken down from the tower, which originated in Plaani Church in Võru County. In addition to the church, we recommend taking a peek into the old Rootsi-Kallavere Village which is located next to the Kallavere District, and in which you can find the local museum. You will find that the road to this location starts where the buses make their final stop. From Maardu, travel through the villages of Ülgase and Rebala to reach Jõelähtme (a distance of 12km). In Maardu, turn off Keemikute Street into Kütte Street and continue onwards. Jõelähtme Municipality This borders the Gulf of Finland to the north, where the coast is winding and up to 40km long. There are several peninsulas and small bays along this stretch of the gulf’s coastline. The River Jõelähtme flows through Jõelähtme Municipality, and joins the River Jägala before flowing into Ihasalu Bay. The flat and level landscape that opens up to anyone who travels along the Tallinn-Narva Highway that passes through Jõelähtme Municipality does not reveal its secrets easily. ‘Still waters run deep’, as the saying goes. The dull alvar gains a completely different meaning when the passer-by learns that it is one of the oldest cultivated landscapes in Estonia, one that is exceptionally rich in various archaeological and historical monuments and protected natural sights. This rich historical heritage that has been preserved as a result of more than 5,000 years of human settlement needs constant protection. 5. Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Jõelähtme - built between the thirteenth and twentieth centuries. A small country church with high historic steeple (1912) between the ancient fields of Rebala, close to Tallinn. The church was expanded by the addition of a choir in the fifteenth century, and was fully renovated in the neo-Gothic style in 1878 (the architect of this work was Friedrich Ferdinand Modi). The church has a Baroque altar wall (by Michael Brinckmann, 1670)), a pulpit (by Tobias Heintze, 1639), an altar painting called Christ on the Cross (by Theodor Albert Sprengel, 1889), and one of the oldest church bells in Harjumaa (dating from the seventeenth century). Modern stained glass windows are inspired by the Old and New Testaments. Whilst at Jõelähtme Church, you should cross the old stone bridge, turn right at Reisirestoran and the petrol station, and cross the highway to visit the Museum of the Rebala Heritage Reserve. Right next to the museum you will see one of the oldest tombs in Estonia. After visiting the museum, you should not stay on the highway, but should instead cross it again and take the side road or the Vana-Narva Road, where it is much safer and more interesting. Jõelähtme Municipality also has the largest golf course in Estonia, the Estonian Golf & Country Club, and the largest waterfall in Estonia, Jägala waterfall, along with Jägala hill fort and the Linnamäe Hydroelectric Power Station. All of these places are well worth the visit. Jägala waterfall is not world famous, but it is most probably the most famous Estonian waterfall. Its height is between 7.8 and 8.1 metres and its width is over fifty metres. It is also the highest natural waterfall in Estonia. You can walk behind the waterfall if you step on the slippery stones. The waterfall is at its most interesting during the spring floods and in winter when it is frozen. The waterfall has eroded the clint terrace, so that there is a narrow canyon below the waterfall, along the bottom of which runs the riverbed with its rapids. The length of the canyon is 300 metres, whilst its depth ranges from between twelve to fourteen metres. Where to sleep and eat in Jõelähtme Municipality you will find http://www.visitharju.ee/en/ Kuusalu Municipality The largest municipality in Harju County, with a long sea coast, beautiful sandy beaches, large forests, and interesting natural sites such as the Tülivere oak, the Turjekelder, the house stone, the Jaani-Tooma boulder, and Viru bog.