Discover Valjala

• Saint Martin’s Church was probably built around 1230 and is considered the oldest stone church built in the territory of Estonia.
• The church contains a Romanesque baptismal font from the 13th century.
• The earth rampart of Valjala maalinn, which is still visible, was probably raised in the first half of the 14th century.
• The courtyard of Valjala maalinn covers 3,600 square metres, and the path around the site has nine disc golf baskets.

The church is an important point of reference for exploring Valjala’s cultural history. Its construction is dated to around 1230, though this date remains an estimate. As the oldest stone church built in the territory of Estonia, it holds a special place. Inside, there is also a Romanesque baptismal font from the 13th century. This makes it possible to see both an early date and a surviving furnishing from a later century in a single building.

The area around the church also has several historical features. The burial ground extends at least partly beyond the existing cemetery wall. The churchyard surrounding the church also contains an underground cemetery dating from no later than the 12th century. For travellers interested in history, Valjala offers more than a single date or building.

Valjala maalinn brings together visible remains and a historical account. The earth rampart is still visible today; it is thought to have been raised in the first half of the 14th century. The courtyard covers 3,600 square metres. In Henry’s Livonian Chronicle, Valjala maalinn was described as the strongest fortress on Saaremaa.

The rampart’s approximate construction date, the size of the courtyard, and the historical account offer different ways to approach the site: its chronology, its dimensions, and the written record. If you are primarily interested in cultural history, you can consider these features alongside Saint Martin’s Church. The two sites remain separate topics for trip planning; this does not imply a shared route or distance between them.

There are nine disc golf baskets along the path at Valjala maalinn. This makes disc golf a specific activity to consider in your plans, alongside the site’s historical significance. There is also a picnic area by the parking lot along the route. Both details refer to the path and its parking lot, adding an activity and a place to take a break to the historical information.

The Valjala Community Centre is also a place to consider for events: it is suitable for events with up to 200 people. In the planning area, four cultural monuments in total are protected; one of them is the War of Independence memorial. If you are considering Valjala from different perspectives, you can look beyond the church and fortress to include an event venue and a protected monument.

To compare other places, you can also visit Muratsi, Kirikuküla, Nurme, Orissaare, Igaküla, Koguva, Laugu and Lilbi.

When was Saint Martin’s Church built?

The church was probably built around 1230. It is considered the oldest stone church built in the territory of Estonia.

What can you see at Valjala maalinn?

The earth rampart is still visible today. It was probably raised in the first half of the 14th century; the courtyard covers 3,600 square metres.

Are there disc golf baskets along the path at Valjala maalinn?

Yes. The path around Valjala maalinn has nine disc golf baskets. There is a picnic area by the parking lot along the route.

How many people can be accommodated at events at the Valjala Community Centre?

The Valjala Community Centre is suitable for events with up to 200 people.

For the broader travel overview: Saaremaa.