looduskalender.ee

Fifteen years ago walking the Ridala paths was a tradition with us. Our small tourist enterprise even had a special Ridala trail. In the presently strictly protected Ülgase caves and in the Saha chapel even theatrical productions were set up. Now, more than 15 years later, I was back on the same trails once more.

 

 

The Muuga Chapel Rock was once classed among the largest in Estonia. In the 15 years in between things have been re-evaluated. When I browsed Internet to find where to check the current stand it seemed as if it didn’t even exist. There is EELIS (Estonian Nature Information System) but it leaves something to be desired in the systematics. However, it is better in print.

 

 

The Rebala museum is now according to my information a private museum. A splendid new viewing tower has recently been completed that holds a whole busload of people. If local enthusiasts were to be supported financially and otherwise, this could turn into an efficient and active info centre considering its location at the start of the road to Narva. I held the same point of view 15 years ago. Sadly they have been left on their own so far.

 

 

Kostivere karstiala has always been rather bleak in autumn with its withering leaves and grass but the famous „mushroom“ still retains its original impact.

 

 

 

Saha chapel is a mystic place for me. Comparing the Internet links about the Kostivere karst area and the Saha chapel respectively, everyone can judge for themselves the heritage conservationists’ efforts and the nature conservationists’ ones.

 

More about the Rebala area (in English) http://www.rebala.ee/en/?Introduction