- Address: 74716 Harjumaa, Estonia.
The most western point of Estonia is Cape Yuminda, which is located on the peninsula of the same name. Together they are the territory of the national reserve - Lahemaa . People come here to admire the spectacular views and stroll along the seashore. From the cape you can see the entire peninsula, as well as all the splendor of the Gulf of Finland.
What is interesting about Cape Yuminda?
On Cape Yuminda a memorial was erected in memory of the sailors who died during the Second World War. On August 28, 1941, 66 ships, following in Kronstadt, were blown up by German mines. Among the victims were representatives of such nationalities as Estonians, Germans, Russians, Finns, so the inscription on the memorial is made in four languages. The monument represents a huge boulder with a sign next to it, and a barrage of defunct sea mines.
A tragic date reminds another monument, located among the stones on the sea shore. It is also made of stone, on which the day and the year of the bombing of ships are carved. This incident was called "the battle of Uminda," and military historians wrote whole books about him.
The present memorial was inaugurated in 1978 and a year later it was reconstructed. The changes were as follows:
- stone was installed on a granite pedestal;
- The mines surrounding it were painted black;
- attached to the stones copper sheets, symbolizing the bow of the ships.
After Estonia gained independence, the memorial was plundered - the same sheets of copper, anchors, disappeared. Restorative work began in 2001 at the insistence of the president of the country. Therefore, at the moment before the tourists, he appears in excellent condition, near him you can always see the wreaths laid.
What else is Cape Yuminda famous for?
The memorial is similar to the tragic past, otherwise the place is very suitable for walking and rest. In the vicinity is the village of Yuminda, which should also be visited. Here you can admire the ancient sundial and the well-crane.
Those who come here in late summer or early autumn, are lucky with mushrooms, which the neighborhood is just teeming with. But besides this, travelers are interested to see the lighthouse and fragments of rockets. They are used as a decorative decoration for parking. Although it does not differ in size, space is enough for many cars.
One of the largest cemeteries, located near Cape Yuminda, gradually turns into a regular hill. A lot of trees have grown here, only a special plate reminds us of the sacredness of the place.
If you forget the sad past of the place, then Cape Yuminda is ideal for picnics, the good that tables and benches with braziers are installed next to the parking lot. They are provided for free, the authorities are only urged to comply with security measures and do not forget about the embers.
How to get there?
The village and Cape Yuminda are located only fifty kilometers. from Tallinn , it is most convenient to reach them by car. To get lost it will not be possible, it is necessary only to closely follow the pointers, - a turn to Cape Yuminda will tell the right direction.