Haapsalu (German an Swadish: Hapsal; Finnish: Haapasalo) is a seaside resort toun locatit on the wast coast o Estonie. As the admeenistrative centre o Lääne Coonty it haes a population of11,587 (as o 1 Januar 2012).
Haapsalu haes been weel kent for centuries for its wairm seawatter, curative mud an peaceful atmosphere. Salt mud spas frequentit bi the Roushie Romanov faimily still operate. Narrae streets wi early 20t century firthen houses repeatedly lead to the sea. Haapsalu has been cried the "Venice o the Baltics", awtho this positionin haes been creeticisit as exaggeratin. The name "Haapsalu" is frae Estonie haab 'aspen' an salu 'grove.'
History
The toun dates back tae 1279, when it wis chairtered an became the centre o the Bishopric o Ösel-Wiek, which it remained for the next 300 year. Biggins frae those early days remain the day, includin a episcopal castle which haes the lairgest single-nave cathedral in the Easter states, Haapsalu Castle.
Haapsalu an the surroondin aurie wis the centre for the Swadish population in Estonie frae the 13t century till the evacuation o amaist aw ethnic Swades frae Estonie in 1944.
Healin spas
For mony years, locals hae claimit that the sea mud haes a curative effect. A militar doctor, Carl Abraham Hunnius, foondit the first mud cure resort in 1825. News o the curative mud quickly reached the aristocracy o Saunt Petersburg, the caipital o the Roushie Empire. Iver syne then, Haapsalu haes been a popular simmer destination whaur fowk frae aw aroond the warld come for medical treatment. The day, thare are three mud cure establishments in Haapsalu varyin in size an location.
Haapsalu shawl
In the 19t century, Haapsalu became famous for its shawls, a delicate craft made bi local weemen.
Ither attractions
The Land o Ilon Wikland (Wiklandia), a recreation centre for childer, is set tae open in a few years athin the toun. This warld famous beuk illustrator haes been involvit wi Haapsalu syne her bairnheid.
The August Blues Festival is held ivery August in Haapsalu.
Internaitional relations
Twin towns — Sister ceeties
Haapsalu is twinned wi:
- Borovichi, Novgorod Oblast, Roushie
- Bethlehem, Palestine (2010)
- Eskilstuna, Swaden (2005)
- Fundão, Portugal (2004)
- Greve in Chianti, Italy (2004)
- Haninge, Swaden (1998)
- Hanko, Finland (1992)
- Loviisa, Finland (2000)
- Rendsburg, Germany (1989)
- Uman, Ukraine (2003)
Gallery
