Põlva County

Põlva County is a wooded region in southeastern Estonia with numerous lakes that borders Russia's Pskov Oblast. The town of Põlva serves as the administrative center and hub for the three rural municipalities within its territory.

The region was established as a county in 1961, reorganizing the administrative structure of southeastern Estonia. This marked the beginning of its modern territorial identity near the Russian border.

The Võro language shapes the identity of this region, with local residents using distinct words and expressions that differ from standard Estonian in daily life.

This is a sparsely populated region ideal for exploring rural Estonian landscapes without crowds. Roads and paths are most accessible from late spring through early autumn.

The local newspaper Koit documented everyday life in this county from 1951 to 2019, providing a rare window into generations of residents and how the region changed over time.

Location: Estonia

Inception: 1961

Capital city: Põlva

Shares border with: Tartu County, Valga County, Võru County, Pskov Oblast

GPS coordinates: 58.08333,27.08333

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:52