Muhu

58°35′46″N 23°14′16″E / 58.59611°N 23.23778°E / 58.59611; 23.23778ArchipelagoWest Estonian archipelagoArea198 km² (76 sq mi)AdministrationSaare CountyDemographicsPopulation1,968 (2010)Pop. density8.8/km² (22.8/sq mi)Ethnic groupsMajority Estonians

Muhu (also called Muhumaa in Estonian) is an island in the West Estonian archipelago of the Baltic Sea. With an area of 198 km² (76 sq mi) it is the third largest island belonging to Estonia, after Saaremaa and Hiiumaa.

Together with neighbouring smaller islands of Kesselaid, Viirelaid, Võilaid and Suurlaid it forms Muhu Parish (Estonian: Muhu vald), the rural municipality within Saare County. The municipality has a population of 1,697 (as of 19 April 2010) and covers an area of 206.12 km² (80 sq mi). The population density is 8.8/km² (23/sq mi).

History and geography

The German names for the island are Mohn and Moon. Moon is also the Swedish name for the island.

The most important villages in Muhu are Kuivastu, Liiva (where the school can be found) and Koguva. In Pädaste, an internationally renowned luxury hotel and spa operates in the restored manor house.

The island is divided from mainland Estonia by the Suur Strait (Moonsund) and from Saaremaa by the Väike Strait. It is linked by ferry to Virtsu on the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway, the Väinatamm. In winter an ice road connects the island to the mainland.

In January 1227, an army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword with Letts, Germans of Riga and native Livonians (20,000 men commanded by William of Modena) crossed on sea ice from the mainland and attacked the island of Saaremaa to reduce the last holdout of pagan Estonians. The Estonians surrendered on Muhu at a circular stronghold called Mona, the earthworks of which are still preserved near the causeway between the islands. This ended the Estonian Crusade.

The Battle of Karuse or Battle on the Ice was fought on 16 February 1270 between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Livonian Order on the frozen Baltic Sea between Muhu and the mainland. The Lithuanians achieved a decisive victory. The battle, named after the village of Karuse, was the fifth-largest defeat of the Livonian or Teutonic Orders in the 13th century.^{[citation needed]}

The same waters saw the Battle of Moon Sound in September–October 1917 between Russian and German naval forces.

Muhu is the home of Estonia's first wine tourism farm – Luscher & Matiesen Muhu Winehouse.

Culture

Muhu is known for having the only traditional windmills in Estonia that are still operational. Muhu is also known for its traditional knitted stockings.^[1][2]

Gallery

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  Northern coast of Muhu
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  Muhu Stronghold, site of the native Estonian surrender to crusaders in 1227
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  Monument in the center of the Muhu Stronghold
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  Üügu cliffs
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  Muhu St. Catherine's Church
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  Pädaste Manor
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  Tooma farm, part of Muhu museum and birthplace of writer Juhan Smuul
• 
  Students and teachers in traditional clothing march in a procession in Liiva
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  Old village school
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  In Mõega village
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  Koguva harbour
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  Windmill in Koguva
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  Flag of Muhu Parish
• 
  Coat of Arms of Muhu Parish

See also

• Municipalities of Estonia
• List of municipalities of Estonia
• List of islands of Estonia

References

External links

Rural municipality