Paide is a small town in central Estonia, best known for its magnificent castle. The town is located on the banks of the Pärnu River, about halfway between the capital, Tallinn, and the second-largest city, Tartu. The old part of the town is dominated by the castle, which was first mentioned in historical records in 1279. The castle has been rebuilt and remodeled many times over the centuries, and the current structure dates from the 18th century. The castle is now a museum, and the town also has a few other interesting museums, including a museum of traditional Estonian crafts. There are several parks in the town, and the river is a popular place for swimming and fishing.