Käsmu
Käsmu (German and Swedish: Kaspervik ) is a village in the Estonian municipality of Vihula in Lääne-Viru County . At the end of 2011 there were 105 inhabitants (after 131 inhabitants as of 2006).
The village is located on the west bank of the Käsmu peninsula on the Baltic Sea bay of the same name . It was first mentioned in 1453 as Kesamo . The name after the word kesä (summer) suggests a fishing port only used in the warm season. The first permanent settlement is documented for the 16th century.
In the 19th century, Käsmu was known for the lively alcohol smuggling across the Baltic Sea. The Maritime School dates from 1884 and was in operation until 1931. Many of the Estonian captains of the 19th and 20th centuries came from Käsmu. Käsmu is still known today as the "captain's village". A lighthouse was built in 1891.
Since the middle of the 19th century, Käsmu has been a destination for German Baltic and Russian summer vacationers, painters, writers and intellectuals. During the time of the Soviet occupation of Estonia, a pioneer camp and a leisure home were built. Today Käsmu is a neat village again, which attracts numerous domestic and foreign tourists in summer.
The Viru Folk Festival has been held in Käsmu since 2008 (with interruptions) on an August weekend .
Web links
- Käsmu Maritime Museum (Estonian)
- Viru Folk Festival (also English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ 2011 Census, Estonian Statistics Office (accessed April 8, 2015)
Coordinates: 59 ° 36 ' N , 25 ° 55' E