Rocca al Mare, Seaside subdistrict in Haabersti, Estonia
Rocca al Mare is a seaside subdistrict in western Tallinn with residential areas, green spaces, and recreation facilities along the Baltic coast. It contains the Estonian Open Air Museum featuring around 70 traditional buildings relocated from rural regions across the country.
The district's Italian name means 'Fortress by the Sea', given during the 20th century. The open-air museum was established to preserve traditional building styles and rural ways of life from earlier centuries.
The Estonian Open Air Museum displays traditional building styles and rural customs from different parts of Estonia. Visitors can observe old crafts and farming methods that shaped daily life in these communities.
The subdistrict connects easily to central Tallinn by public transportation and offers access to various amenities and services. The open-air museum covers large outdoor grounds, so visitors should wear comfortable shoes and allow plenty of time to explore.
Despite housing the museum and various facilities, this subdistrict long remained nearly uninhabited, making it an unusual urban area focused primarily on heritage and recreation rather than residential life. This distinctive character shaped its development as a destination rather than a traditional neighborhood.
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