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The Kaali Meteorite Craters

Kaali Visitor Centre
18 km from Kuressaare

By passing through the atmosphere the meteorite heated and broke into pieces at an altitude of five to ten kilometers, falling to Earth as a meteorite shower. As a result, the main crater, 110 meters in diameter and 22 meters in depth, and at least eight collateral craters with a diameter of 12 to 40 meters and a depth of one to four meters, were formed.

The perishing and the rebirth of the Sun is described in many epics and mythical conceptions of the world. It is strange that the symbols and the characters in these epics are similar. It is possible to link them with the meteorite catastrophe in Kaali and the time following it.

How far in time and space may the echo of pre-historical event be spread? What kind of fascinating historical facts are hidden in our Kaali crater field?

By brochure of Kaali Visitor Centre and Saaremaa webpage.
Read more on www.saaremaa.ee

Kaali meteoriidikraatrite rühm

Kaalin meteoriitti ryhmä

Maasi Stronghold

Maasi ordulinnuse varemed

To quote the Livonian Chronicle: "Master Burchard built a well fortified stronghold on Saaremaa, which Brother Goswin later enlarged." In reality, the building of the stronghold lasted longer than the lives of two Brothers mentioned. Construction lasted from the 14th century well into the 16th century.

The politics of Denmark and Sweden sealed the fate of Maasi. In 1564 the King of Denmark purchased the areas of Saaremaa that included Maasi. Twice, in 1568 and 1574 the Swedes were able to recapture Maasi for short periods. Finally, in 1576 King Frederik of Denmark gave the order to destroy the Maasi fortifications.

Studies of the remaining walls have indicated that Maasi consisted of a square tower-shaped structure that was surrounded by loosely square-shaped walls.

Apparently the tower main structure (47m x 12m) was built in two stages. The first story consisted of three vaulted rooms. The walls were furnished with semi-circular cannon towers that were open at the top.

Maasin ritarikunnan linnoituksen rauniot

The Windmill Hill of Angla

The only remaining group of windmills on Saaremaa is located in Angla, at 32 km on the Upa-Leisi road. At the windmill hill of Angla village is stading four post mills (1910 - 1924) and one Dutch (1927) mill. In 1925, when the village of Angla consisted of 13 farms, there were nine windcatchers on the hill.

At one time, these open to the winds hills of windmills were a common sight on Saaremaa. When the people were more agrarian, grew their own wheat and rye, and made their own bread, every self-respecting village had a group of windmills to grind the grain.

A post mill is the oldest type of windmills in Europe. The distinctive feature of which is that the whole building resolves on a central post. The all structure could be turned into the wind by the tailpole which was attached to the body of the mill. At the heart of a mill is the pair of millstones.

The octagonal fourfold Duch mill was more mechanised, crop drier and saw gate belonged to it. Mill had a gallery built around the body, so that the miller could rotate its cap to face the sails into the wind. The Duch mill had two pairs of millstones, but otherwise the mechanichs was similar to post mill's. The mill was still working in 1943. Nowadays you can buy here souvenirs, local handicraft, snacks, drinks and ice-cream.

All windmills are open for quests from May to September.

Anglan tuulimyllyt

Angla tuulikud

SAAREMAA

The biggest island of Estonia is full of exotic adventures: Middle Age Churches, manor houses, wild nature, Kuressaare Castle, and etc.

Photo: My wife Ellen gets back to Kuressaare Harbour ;)
Click pfotos for larger view!

Foto: Minu naine sõuab Saaremaale :)
Kliki piltidel, et näha pilte suuremalt!

This site hopes to give little virtual quide to Saaremaa!
Com'on all brave pilgrims and dicover Saaremaa yourself!

Saaremaa on täis võrratuid vaatamisväärsusi: keskajast pärinevad kirikud, mõisad, puutumatta loodus, Kuresaare linnus ja maalinnad, tuulikud ja palju muud huvitavat, mida tuleb kindlasti oma enese silmaga avastada!

See veebileheke püüab anda virtuaalseid viiteid Eesti suurema saare, Saaremaa, kohta.

Ps! Fotod erakogust.
Ära kasuta pilte luba küsimatta !

Photos from private collections.
Do not use without permission!