Valga

The city has the only railway station through which one can get from Estonia to Latvia. The city is rather dull, but curious about its position on the invisible state border. It has a military museum with a rich exposition dedicated to the Estonian War of Independence. The border (in the literal sense of the word) location is, perhaps, the most interesting feature of Valga. In the city there are neither medieval monuments nor interesting wooden buildings, so Valga is deprived of the charm and comfort inherent in many other Estonian cities. The population of Valga is mixed, 35% Russians, and most other people speak Russian, because it was and is the language of interethnic communication between residents of Estonia and Latvia. The city has a light industry (furniture, clothes and footwear, woodworking). Life along the railway station is convenient, but the overall economic situation is rather bleak, and this is evident to the unaided eye: Valga is one of the poorest county-level cities in Estonia. Tourist Information Centre Kesk 11 [email protected] . History Valga was first mentioned in 1286 under the German name Valga (literally walk ). In the 14th-16th centuries, it was a small unfortified settlement, which was regularly destroyed due to numerous wars between the Livonian Order, Russian princes, Lithuanians and Poles. Finally, in 1584 the Polish King Stefan Batory gave Valga the rights of the city. However, the status of a city and the joy of receiving it were short-lived, since already in 1626 Valga belonged to Sweden . Then, after the Northern War, to Russia , which did not acknowledge the city status of the Polish king. Only in 1764, the city status was returned to Valga, after which it started the stone construction. By the beginning of World War I, Valga became a central junction with routes to Riga, Tartu, Pärnu, and Pechora. In 1919, in the vicinity of Valga, the battle for Paju Manor took place - one of the important battles of the War of Independence - after which the Estonian army seized the whole of Southern Estonia and began its offensive into Latvia. Since its inception, Valga has been multinational in nature: Estonians and Latvians lived here, together with Germans and Russians. Estonians and Latvians did get along very well, because both of them experienced harassment from the Germans. With independence, the situation changed, as both Estonia and Latvia declared their territorial rights of the city. In 1920, after lengthy negotiations with the participation of England, the border was put directly through the city, along the small creek Konnaoja, flowing through the centre of Valga. The big northern part was moved to Estonia, and the smaller southern part to Latvia. The division turned out to be disproportionate, as Estonia demanded compensation for the participation of its army in combat operations in Latvia, and especially for the defeat of the rebellious army of General Bermont-Avalov, who attempted to capture Riga in 1919. Unlike the by the river divided Narva and Ivangorod, Valga and Valka are a rare example of cities created entirely artificially. During Soviet times the border did essentially not exist. But after the disintegration of the USSR the situation became problematic again due to Latvian burial places appearing in the territory of Estonia. However, after the ratification of the Baltic countries to the Schengen agreement, only striped columns remained from the border, and the transition from one country to another began to occur completely unnoticed.

By Train

There are 3 trains per day from/to Tallinn (3½–4 hr, from Tartu 1 hr 15 min). In addition, there are 3 trains from/to Riga ( Latvia ) via Sigulda Cēsis Valmiera , and Strenči directly into Valga (the Latvian part doesn't have a railway station). 3 hr 15 min, €5–6. Current Estonian railway schedules and tickets are available at ELRON's website , Latvian schedules and tickets at the Pasažieru Vilciens website . Railway station and bus station ( Valga raudteejaam ) ( about 1 km southeast of the centre ). Daily 06–20:00; Ticket desk: M–F 09:00–18:00, off 13:00–14:00 . Built in 1949, the building has a ripped rectangular tower, which is of architectural interest and the most distinct in Estonia. The inside is reconstructed and accessible with shops, toilets, and a ticket desk.

By Car

From Tartu (85 km) highway #3, from Viljandi (80 km) and Pärnu (141 km) highway #6 lead into Valga. From Tallinn it is 235 km (via Viljandi). Take the Latvian A3 from Riga (160 km).

By Bus

The town is served by 2 bus routes, connecting the centre of Valga with its outskirts—frequency 1½ hr, price €0.60 at a kiosk, €1 from the bus driver. No buses go into Valka.

On foot Most of Valga's attractions are within walking distance. The border is one block west of the town hall. Kesk (lit. "middle" or "central") is the main street. It has a boulevard in the middle and in the west it becomes Riia (i.e. Riga street), which goes across the border. In the east it becomes the streets of Vabaduse and Kuperjanovi. The city is limited by the railway in the south and a set of ponds in the north. Beyond these the town is residential and industrial, meaning it's of little interest unless you're visiting a home or company.

• Religious buildings
• St. John's Church
• Valga Jaani kirik — ),
• Kesk väljak — in front of the tourist information centre ).
• An oval-shaped church dating from 1816. It took 30 years to build from 1787. The building exhibits the features of classicism as well as baroque. Also, the oval shape of the church is unusual, as is the location of the bell tower, which is not at the end, but on the side of the building. From the distance, the church might easily be mistaken for a concert hall or a theatre. On the northern wall of the church, there is a memorial plate in memory of the Finnish who volunteered in the battle for the Paju Manor. Guides proudly point out that there is no comparable church in Estonia, which is true.
• Catholic Chapel
• Katoliku kabel — ),
• Riia 16 — .
• This small building next to the parking of the supermarket Rimi was a Catholic chapel and is the oldest building in Valga. Although, there has not been any dome or cross on it for a long time. Also, the shutters on the windows are very much like a village shop. The building is especially remembered for its four-slope roof.
• Orthodox Church

• Tallinn — Estonia's capital, a 1–2 hour drive away, with its UNESCO-listed Old Town and vibrant culture.
• Other destinations in Valgamaa and neighbouring counties offer more natural beauty, historic sites, and local experiences.
• The Estonian coast and islands are within reach for day trips or longer excursions.