Upa – Village History and Nature Trails
Accommodation in Upa
Upa combines a historically shaped village centre with nature trails and places of remembrance on Saaremaa. If you are looking for accommodation while also wanting clear points of reference for planning your day, cultural history, physical activity and a specific cycling connection come together here.
Key facts about Upa
The historic village centre is characterised by stone enclosures, including both historic and more recent examples. The vegetation in this area is largely natural. The surrounding area also includes the 5 km-long Kudjape–Upa nature trail and the Kudjape–Upa health trails with several route lengths.
What nature trails are there in Upa?
The Kudjape–Upa nature trail passes through deciduous woodland and a pine forest and is 5 km long.
The Kudjape–Upa health trails consist of a 1 km-long, fully illuminated route, as well as 3 km and 5.5 km-long routes covered with wood chips. They are suitable for physical activity year-round and for cross-country skiing in winter. On the health trail, you can also play disc golf in addition to walking. The different lengths, surfaces and the lighting of the shortest route are concrete features that allow you to assess the trails according to your planned stay.
What cultural history is visible in Upa?
One important site is the Upa Prohvetikivi. It is considered a cultural heritage object, but is not under state protection. On Saaremaa, the stone has a noteworthy cultural and historical background and is known as a meeting place of the Moravian Church. It was used for prayers, singing and sermons.
The village centre itself also tells of different construction phases: the stone enclosures include older and newer examples. The largely natural vegetation complements this impression, without reducing the area to a completely historic appearance.
What accommodation and cycling information is documented?
Jurna Turismitalu is a specific accommodation option. There is accommodation there in a deer house that was built at the beginning of the 20th century and has since been extensively renovated. This information describes the building and its history, not any other amenities or specific availability.
A cycling route begins about 1 km from Jurna Turismitalu. It runs around Kuressaare to the small town of Salme and the Viking Village and is approximately 25 km long. If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Upa, you can also view the pages for Mändjala and Nasva.
What role does the year 1919 play?
The uprising on Saaremaa lasted from 16 to 21 February 1919. On the evening of 18 February, insurgents established their headquarters in the village of Upa near Kuressaare and waited there for reinforcements and ammunition for the attack on the town. On 21 February, the main forces of the insurgents besieging the town were defeated in a surprise attack in Upa, Vaivere, Kellamäe and Sikassaare. Alongside the Prohvetikivi and the historic village centre, these events give the place another clearly dated historical dimension.
FAQ
Is the Upa Prohvetikivi under state protection?
No, it is not under state protection.
Which routes are included in the Kudjape–Upa health trails?
They include three routes of different lengths; the shortest is fully illuminated.
What is known about the cycling connection near Jurna Turismitalu?
The connection begins about 1 km from Jurna Turismitalu.
To the main travel overview: Kaarma.
