This small Estonian town has a 13th-century castle and historic churches. Surrounded by forests and hills, it sits on the Lämmijärv river, offering a taste of traditional Estonian life.
Rakvere, Estonia's fifth-largest city, is located 100 km east of Tallinn and has a population of 15,000. Visitors can explore the 13th-century Rakvere Castle, admire the Tarvas bronze aurochs statue, or spend time in the modern central square. The town also features a contemporary spa and a local punk music scene, catering to various interests.
Exploring Rakvere Castle
The 13th-century Rakvere Castle is a central landmark in the town. When you visit, you'll experience the 16th-century through its interactive theme park. Dress up as knights or warriors, watch live performances, and learn about medieval daily life. The castle includes areas like a wine cellar, torture chamber, and a medieval brothel. Be sure to dine at the Shenkenberg Tavern inside the castle, where meals are prepared using authentic medieval recipes.
Admiring the Tarvas Statue
Located near the castle, the Tarvas statue is a large bronze sculpture of an aurochs created by Estonian artist Tauno Kangro. It measures 7 meters long and 4 meters high, weighing 7 tonnes. As the largest animal statue in the Baltic region, it highlights Rakvere's significance and history.
Visiting the Central Square
After exploring the castle, visit Rakvere's central square. Renovated in 2004, this urban space is active with various activities. In spring and summer, you can see flower arrangements and hear the sound of the fountain. Sit on a bench to observe daily life or let your children play on the square's playground and toy installations.
Walking Down Pikk Street
Pikk Street is the oldest street in Rakvere and was the main commercial area in the 19th and early 20th centuries, hosting banks, shops, restaurants, and guesthouses. Today, you can walk along this 1.2 km street to view well-preserved buildings from that era, each showcasing different architectural styles and histories.
Visiting Historical Churches
Rakvere is home to several religious buildings. The Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, built in the 15th century, features a high, slender spire added in the 17th century. Inside, you can see Baroque fretwork in the pulpit and altar wall. Additionally, the Orthodox Church of the Nativity of Theotokos houses the holy remains of martyred priest Sergei Florinski, the only public holy remains in Estonia.
Experiencing Local Culture
Visit the Rakvere Citizen's House Museum to learn about life in early 20th-century Rakvere. The Rakvere Exhibition House-Museum presents various exhibitions throughout the year. In the summer, attend the biannual Baltoscandal international theatre festival, which showcases a range of performances and productions.
Relaxing at Aqva Hotel & Spa
The Aqva Hotel & Spa Water Park and Sauna Complex offers multiple activities. Swim in the 25-meter pool, relax in the wave pool, enjoy massage services, or ride the Black Hole waterslide with its special lighting effects. The complex also includes saunas and a fitness center, providing options to relax after a day of sightseeing.
Getting to Rakvere
Rakvere is accessible from other Estonian cities by regular buses from Tallinn, Tartu, and Narva, with schedules available on Tpilet. Train services operated by Elron and GoRail connect Rakvere on the Tallinn-Narva and Tallinn-Moscow lines respectively. Once in town, use the local bus system operated by GoBus Rakvere, which has four lines serving the city.
