Discover Rae

• Rae mõis was first mentioned in writing in 1390. The manor got its name after it passed into the possession of Tallinn City Council.
• The Rae raba bog forms the northeastern boundary of Rae küla. The Pirita-Ülemiste Canal runs along the edge near the village.
• The canal connects the Pirita River with the Vaskjala Reservoir and Lake Ülemiste.
• Bus route R20 was announced for the Uuesalu–Rae küla–Jüri route from 2 September 2026.

The first written mention of Rae mõis dates from 1390. The history of its name is a story in its own right: the manor got its name after passing into the possession of Tallinn City Council. This distinguishes the early mention from the later origin of the name.

The history of gardening is also part of the area. Jaan Jürgenson, who took the family name Raeda from 1938, established a selection garden and a nursery at Rae mõis. Jaan Raeda’s selection garden is protected. Together, these details illustrate both the history of the manor and a specific horticultural use. For travellers interested in cultural history, this offers a different perspective on Rae from its moorland and waterscapes.

The bog and canal are two distinct geographic reference points for Rae küla. The Rae raba bog forms the village’s northeastern boundary. The Pirita-Ülemiste Canal runs along the edge of the bog near the village and connects the Pirita River with the Vaskjala Reservoir and Lake Ülemiste. The bog marks a boundary; the canal connects named bodies of water. This distinction helps you locate the two landscape features on a map without combining them into a single attraction.

Cup-marked stones and burial mounds in Rae küla indicate that people have lived there for several thousand years. This interpretation is cautious: the finds point to a long history of settlement, but do not precisely date any single site.

Another historical trace is the fortress railway, which connected the Rae positsiooni rooduvarjend with Tallinn. Today, its embankment can be made out beneath a straight section of Raeküla tee from Rae küla to the intersection with Loopera tee; visible remains may change over time. The Rae positsiooni rooduvarjend, part of the III defensive sector, is also located in Rae vald. These can be understood as distinct topics: archaeological evidence, a historic railway link and a military connection.

As of 11 February 2026, Rae küla had an outdoor tennis court with one artificial-grass court and artificial lighting. When planning your journey, note the timing of the bus information: route R20 was announced as a new service on the Uuesalu–Rae küla–Jüri route from 2 September 2026. If you want to use this connection, check the current timetable and whether the route is operating before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Keila, Kaberla, Pärispea, Saue, Saku, Järveküla, Charlottenhof and Maardu.

When was Rae mõis first mentioned?

The first written mention of Rae mõis dates from 1390.

What evidence is there of early settlement?

Cup-marked stones and burial mounds in Rae küla are considered evidence that people have lived there for several thousand years.

What route was announced for bus route R20?

The Uuesalu–Rae küla–Jüri route was announced from 2 September 2026. Check whether the route is currently operating before you travel.

Go to the broader travel overview: Harju.