Discover Hargla: Church, History and Trails

• The present-day stone Hargla Church was consecrated in 1821.
• It acquired its present appearance after extensive renovations carried out from 1872 to 1874.
• The cemetery contains a gate chapel from the mid-19th century and the Baroque chapel of the Wassermann family, built in 1781.
• Hargla village square offers hikers a fire pit, a covered table and a toilet.

Hargla’s history is closely connected with its ecclesiastical past. Hargla developed as a former parish center around the church and rectory in Harjel. The stone church was consecrated in 1821; during extensive renovations from 1872 to 1874, it acquired its present appearance. Anyone interested in church architecture and regional history can distinguish these two dates when examining the building.

The cemetery also adds several independent testimonies to this picture. The gate chapel there was built in the mid-19th century. In Estonian cemetery culture, such a structure is not typical, but neither is it unique. The cemetery also contains the Baroque chapel of the Wassermann family, built in 1781. The different construction periods make the cemetery a place where several historical eras can be viewed side by side.

Hargla’s inn belongs to its secular heritage. The first records date from 1667. The present building was probably erected in the first half of the 19th century in the Classicist style on a fieldstone foundation. This cautious dating remains part of its history and should not be confused with an exact construction date.

The “Green Railways Ape–Valka/Valga” route follows the former narrow-gauge railway between Valka and Ape, which operated from 1900 to 1970. Its course passes through Kallikula, Hargla, Taheva, Korkuna, Laanemetsa, Koikula and Žuldiņas before reaching Valka/Valga. The route is signposted in the landscape; historical materials can be viewed along the way.

For your planning, this means that you can get to know Hargla not only through individual buildings but also by incorporating a section of regional transport history. The route connects several place names, without this automatically implying a specific walking time or distance between the stops.

SUP boards, kayaks and canoes are available for excursions on the Koiva River. The tours can be undertaken independently or with a hiking guide. This allows you to combine a river perspective with different forms of travel without committing yourself to a single option.

The excursions take place in the historic Hargla parish, which belongs to the Vana-Võromaa cultural region. The old Võro-language culture and its dialect features can still be felt there today. For a trip with a cultural focus, this regional context adds a linguistic and landscape dimension to the architectural and transport history.

If you are looking for a hotel or other accommodation in Hargla, it is helpful to first decide on your preferred focus. Those interested in culture can place the church, cemetery chapels and inn at the center of their visit. If you prefer being outdoors, you can plan to follow the signposted Green Railways route or take an excursion on the Koiva River. The village square, with its fire pit, covered table and toilet, provides a practical point of reference for hikers. As you continue your search, check which accommodation location suits your planned mix of local history, route and river activity.

When was Hargla Church consecrated?

The present-day stone Hargla Church was consecrated in 1821.

When did the church acquire its present appearance?

It was extensively renovated from 1872 to 1874 and acquired its present appearance during that work.

What water activities are available on the Koiva River?

SUP boards, kayaks and canoes are available for excursions. The excursions can be undertaken independently or with a hiking guide.

What is the “Green Railways Ape–Valka/Valga” route?

It follows the former narrow-gauge railway between Valka and Ape, which operated from 1900 to 1970, and is signposted in the landscape.

For the higher-level travel overview: Taheva.