DISCOVER IDA-VIRU COUNTY
Where to Go
Ida-Viru сounty boasts beautiful scenery, an interesting capital, and a selection of historical buildings alongside its proud industrial heritage. This is the place where different cultures meet and live together
PLACES TO VISIT
Narva-Jõesuu beach is covered with fine sand and lined with a pine forest. It’s also well-known for its unique natural environment and is the longest beach in Estonia, running 7.5 km on the south shore of the Gulf of Finland.
Narva Castle is one of the main attractions of the city.
In the seventh decade of the 13th century, the Danes established the castle as a residence for the Danish King’s Vice-regent. Narva Castle is the most diverse and best-preserved defence structure in entire Estonia. The area of the castle is 3.2 hectares, and its highest point is the Tall Hermann Tower (51 metres).
Today you can visit the museum in the castle, where the displays explain the history of Narva and the castle.
There are handicraft workshops in the northern yard, where you can try your hand at various techniques and handicrafts.
During its 300 years of history, the bastion Victoria has withstood many wars. At the beginning of the 21st century, it justified its reputation again – after a complete restoration, it became a winner once more! Bastion became one of the main tourist attractions in the region.
Exhibition in the casemates and the gunpowder cellar of the bastion introduces the history of the defense system consisting of bastions.
The building of University of Tartu Narva College, located next to the Town Hall, was built in 2012 on the site of the former Narva Stock Exchange Building. The building was built on the basis of the bold project ‘Rain’ and it combines Narva’s present and past. The front façade of the college building mimics that of the stock exchange building destroyed in the Second World War. The basement rooms with vaulted ceilings, where the college’s exhibition halls are located, originate from the stock exchange building.
The double-terraced waterfall is located on the Narva River, just above the city. Kreenholm Island is located between the two terraces. The famous Kreenholm Textile Factory was built on the shore of the waterfall in the 19th century and was the largest factory in the Russian Empire at that time. In 1913 more than ten thousand people worked there! A compact complex of industrial architecture developed around the factory that included the factory, a hospital, workers’ barracks, directors’ houses, and Kreenholm Park. The buildings were built in the English style using red brick. The Kreenholm brand is known far beyond Estonia.
Astri is the largest shopping center in Narva. It houses the Apollo Cinema, bowling and a planetarium. There is also an observation deck in the Astri Centre tower, which offers a beautiful view of Narva.
Fama center is the largest selection of home and furnishing goods in Ida-Viru County.
Sillamäe beach promenade connects the historic city centre with the seafront. The Mere puiestee promenade turns smoothly into the beach promenade.
The beach promenade offers entertainment and exciting activities for the whole family. It is an attractive venue for sports and cultural events and is also suitable for beach lovers.
Various objects and areas have been built on the beach promenade: a multi-level seven-metre-high lookout tower, wooden terraces and platforms, ball fields, children’s playgrounds, campfire sites, and an outdoor gym. The promenade has seven fountains and an adventure trail with the Robinson Bridge over the Sõtke River.
Oru Park and the grand palace in the beautiful valley of the River Pühajõgi was built by Grigori Jelissejev, one of the wealthiest men in 19th century Russia. In 1935, three Estonian industrialists bought the palace and park and then gifted it to President Päts to be used as his summer residence. The palace was later destroyed during the Second World War.
Today, you can walk in the well-marked and well-maintained park, look at various species of trees and shrubs, explore Hõbeallika (Silver Spring) Cave, as well as enjoy the sea view and the sunset from the Swallow’s Nest.
Would you like to have a real taste of mining? All you need to do is put on your wellies, grab a warm jacket and take a lamp because where else than in the subterranean world would you hear, see and feel the same things as the men who toiled away in below ground every day?
The mining museum also has an Enrichment Factory. As an educational experience, it demonstrates the journey of oil shale, tells how energy is created and showcases information on the subject of future trends in the energy sector.