- Address: Angla, 94244 Saare County, Estonia;
- Phone: +372 5199 0265;
- Website: www.anglatuulik.eu.
Mills are absolutely amazing structures. Such majestic and beautiful. Long ago, thanks to them, people received the most precious product - bread. Although today flour is produced in a much simpler way, without the participation of heavy physical labor and the forces of nature, all the mills that have survived to this day are cherished as a monument to the history of the development of agriculture and production. To admire the "inveterate enemies" of Don Quixote, it is not necessary to go to Holland. In Estonia , on the island of Saaremaa there is a wonderful museum of windmills, located in the open air.
The main exhibits
On the Estonian islands, mills were often built before. And usually it was not 1-2 windmills, but a whole group. They were located near the villages, on the hills.
Until now, only one such authentic hill has survived - Angla. Initially, it had 9 mills. 4 of them, unfortunately, collapsed, but 5 almost completely preserved the original appearance. The reconstruction of the surviving buildings was carried out in the 80s of the 20th century and in 2011.
Among the five main exhibits of the museum on the island of Saaremaa there are 4 typically Estonian windmills, and the fifth is a Dutch-type windmill.
Estonian granular mills have a rotating body. The design is quite simple - a massive wooden pillar is buried in the ground, and a wooden board is fixed on top of it, but not "tightly", but so that it can rotate around its axis. This is very convenient, since it is possible to set the housing in any position relative to the direction of the wind.
What else to see in the museum?
In 2011, the Cultural Heritage Center was opened on the territory of the museum. It is noteworthy that it was built from dolomite, which is about 425 million years old. Here you can get acquainted with the life and culture of the inhabitants of the island of Saaremaa at museum exhibitions, as well as visit many workshops: tanneries, locksmiths, dolomites, potters, spinners, blacksmiths, stained glass, felt.
Folk craftsmen in front of your eyes will create to order any souvenir and tell you about your art. If desired, you can participate in an improvised master class and try to do something yourself from clay, wool, wood, metal, dolomite or leather.
Another place that, no doubt, will be liked in the museum of windmills on the island of Saaremaa to tourists with children is a mini-farm. In small barrels, horses, sheep, goats graze, turkeys, ducks and chickens walk along the quadrant, and fluffy rabbits sit in spacious cages. There is also a children's playground with a swing and a small pond.
Lovers of technology will enjoy the exposition of old agricultural machinery, which facilitated the hard work of peasants who lived in the XIX-XX centuries. Directly on the street there are various tractors, threshers, plows and other devices for cultivating the land.
Well, you can complete an exciting excursion for a warm tea in the building of the Center for Cultural Heritage. Here you can buy fragrant Saaremaa black bread, baked manually in the dolomite oven, and a delicious spicy oil with the addition of various herbs. If you are not driving, be sure to try beer with juniper, which is brewed in a local tavern.
Information for tourists
- in front of the museum there is free parking;
- all locations in the museum of windmills on the island of Saaremaa from May to September are open from 9:00 to 20:00 daily;
- from October 1 to April 30 the museum is open from 9:00 to 17:00;
- excursion with a guide is carried out for groups by prior arrangement (cost - € 6 per person);
- Admission costs: adult - € 3,5, children - € 1,5, family - € 6 (prices valid for May 2017).
How to get there?
It is more convenient to get to the museum of windmills on the island of Saaremaa by car. Nearby there is a highway № 79. Shuttle buses here go quite rarely. From the public transport stop go 300 meters.
Distance from Kuressaare airport is 38 km.
Exact address: Angla küla, Leisi vald, Saare maakond.