Kasaritsa – Manor History and Nature at Lake Verijärv

Kasaritsa Manor was founded between 1588 and 1592 on the site of a vakus of the same name. In the historical Estonian administrative context, a vakus was a rural unit; here, the term does not refer to a current place name. In the mid-17th century, the manor was divided into Vana-Kasaritsa and Vastse-Kasaritsa. This division explains why both names play a distinct role in the local history of Kasaritsa.

This historical development connects Kasaritsa Manor, the later manor parts of Vana-Kasaritsa and Vastse-Kasaritsa, and the settlement at the centre of Vana-Kasaritsa Manor. The division of the manor and the later renaming of the settlement belong to different historical phases: Vana-Kasaritsa and Vastse-Kasaritsa refer to the manor parts, while Kasaritsa küla refers to the later settlement. The settlement at the centre of Vana-Kasaritsa Manor was renamed Kasaritsa küla in 1977. The renaming took place because the Kasaritsa municipal office and later the village council centre were located there. The stone grave “Lastekalmatu mägi” in Kasaritsa küla, which is under state heritage protection, is another historic site. This heritage protection applies to the specific stone grave in Kasaritsa küla, not generally to the entire settlement.

In the vicinity of Kasaritsa, the Verijärve Landscape Protection Area has a very well-preserved landscape and settlement structure. There, Lake Verijärv has very steep shore slopes and shore areas up to 20 metres high. The figure “up to 20 metres” refers to the highest stated value and not to a uniform height along the entire lake.

In the vicinity of Kasaritsa, the Verijärve nature trail runs along the shore of Lake Verijärv; it also passes through a park forest.

Kasaritsa Aed, a family business, was established on the grounds of Vana-Kasaritsa Manor. The business delivers produce to homes in the region of Southern Estonia. The family business is thus located on the historic manor grounds; its deliveries are specified for Southern Estonia.

The Saunamäe smoke sauna is located on the shore of a pond.

If you consider Kasaritsa as part of a broader selection of places, you can also look at Roosisaare, Koloreino, Palometsa, Umbsaare, Mõksi and Nooska.

What guidance does the Verijärve nature trail provide?

The Verijärve nature trail has signposts. Maps of the protected areas and hiking trails of Võrumaa are also available in the car park. The signposts along the trail and the maps in the car park serve as different orientation aids: the former accompany visitors along the route, while the latter compile information about the protected areas and hiking trails of Võrumaa.

What fire pits are available on the Verijärve nature trail?

In the vicinity of Kasaritsa, the Verijärve nature trail has two fire pits with grill grates and benches.

What connection is there between Kasaritsa and Konrad Mägi?

Lake Verijärv is also known as Kasaritsa järv; Kasaritsa järv is another name for the same lake. The area around it was the location where Konrad Mägi painted his work “Võrumaa maastik. Valgjärv”.

For the overarching travel overview: Võru.