Kuressaare Fortress

Kuressaara Fortress (or Episcopal Castle) is a well-restored fortress outside the lovely town of Kuressaara. If I understand well, even though many restorations have taken place, the basic structure still goes back to medieval times and that’s part of what gives it its historic value (but do correct me when I’m mistaken).

When we visited in 2011, work on the outer walls was very much in progress (photo), but looking at recent pictures on internet and Roman’s picture in the header of this THWS, that seems to have been completed by now. It’s an impressive fortress on the one hand, but to my personal taste also a bit ‘clean’ and not very adventurous to see. I didn’t really feel and smell its history, like I got e.g. from the walls of Tallinn. And other sites on the Saaremaa island left deeper memories, such as the WWII memorial sites, the spot of the lighthouse on the most southern tip, and the Kaali impact crater. If you go there, don’t just go for a quick look at the fortress (and the other TWHS, the Wooden Meadows), but stay a night or two to enjoy the nature of this beautiful island.