Saare County, Administrative division in western Estonia
Saare County is an administrative division in western Estonia that encompasses the largest Estonian island of Saaremaa along with several smaller islands including Muhu, Ruhnu, Abruka, and Vilsandi. The territory is connected by ferries and causeways that link the islands to the mainland and to each other.
The region became important during medieval times when its inhabitants, known as Oeselians, used their island strongholds as bases for maritime activities across the Baltic. The territory experienced shifts in control over subsequent centuries as various powers influenced its development.
The communities here maintain traditions rooted in their island setting, expressing themselves through music, craft work, and celebrations that connect people to the sea and land. You can observe these customs in local gatherings and daily habits throughout the region.
Most visitors reach this territory by ferry from Virtsu to Kuivastu on Muhu Island, which connects to the main part by causeway. Travel planning is helpful since ferry schedules affect how you can move between islands and the mainland.
The region is sparsely settled, offering vast stretches of open landscape where visitors encounter fewer people than in most of Europe. This sense of space and solitude in nature is one of the defining qualities of the island territory.
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