Naissaare tour

What to expect

During the hike we will see the following points of interest:

Port of Naissaar

The harbor in use today was built on Naissaar in 1913 to support the construction of artillery batteries. Namely, in the years 1911-1917, Tallinn was the second most important naval base of the Russian Baltic fleet in the Baltic Sea, which was called Peter the Great Sea Fortress. In this regard, Naissaar was a logistically important place from which to repel threats coming from the west, and for this purpose a total of ten artillery batteries were established on Naissaar.

Artillery batteries

There were a total of ten artillery batteries on Naissaar, the largest of which were 10a and 10b in the northern part of the island. The purpose of the artillery batteries was to keep the southern part of the Gulf of Finland under fire, to protect the Tallinn naval base and the passage from the sea towards St. Petersburg.

Marine mine factory

During the Soviet era, a sea mine and depth bomb factory operated in the central part of Naissaare. Hundreds of mines and bombs were assembled, maintained, inspected and stored there in the complex. The complex was classified and strictly guarded. Today, the factory and warehouse buildings are still standing and you can see a lot of mine shells.

Narrow gauge railway

The railway was used to supply artillery batteries, a mine factory and military units on the island. The railway started from the eastern port of Naissaare and was 37.5 km long by 1918. Today, a 2.4-kilometer section of the railway has been restored, where you can take a fun ride with a locomotive and wagons.

Lighthouse at the northern tip of the island

The 45-meter-high lighthouse in use today was built in 1960. The lighthouse is operational and it is also possible to climb up to the observation platform when the lighthouse keeper is present. Physical fitness could be rather good, as there is no elevator.

Officers Casino

It was a place of recreation for officers. A simple soldier had no business being there. There was a fire in the building during World War I, but it was restored in 1924 as a casino for Estonian officers. The building was also for use by local residents of Naissaare. During the Soviet era, the casino was used as a barracks and headquarters. Today the building stands abandoned and decaying.

Omar’s cousin

Conductor Tõnu Kaljuste, who is also a resident of the island, brought Omar’s barn to Naissaari from Kastna village in Pärnu to create a place to organize cultural events. The most famous of them is the Nargeni Festival, which he created himself (Naissaar once bore the name of Nargeni). In addition, theater performances and various concerts take place there.

St. Mary’s Chapel

A church built with the help of Tallinn’s Swedish-Michael Church and Swedish Archbishop Nathan Söderblom, which was blessed in 1938. Soon after the Soviet occupation, the church was the only building that survived the occupation. After the departure of the Russian troops in 1994, the church was restored. Services are held in the church to this day.

Additional options

We are also happy to organize a full event solution. Additional options for the bike tour:

Catering
* Hiking soup
* Räim Ruudus
* Naissaar harbor cafe
* Merikotka holiday house

Entertainment and culture
* Train ride on a narrow-gauge railway
* War Museum in Lõunaküla

Seminar rooms
* Naissaar guest house
* Merikotka holiday house

Sauna and relaxation:
* Merikotka holiday house
* Naissaar guest house

Accommodation
* Naissaar guest house
* Merikotka holiday house

Additional activities
* Disc golf

Map

Gallery