Prangli
| Prangli | ||
|---|---|---|
| Waters | Baltic Sea | |
| Geographical location | 59 ° 37 '28 " N , 25 ° 1' 15" E | |
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| surface | 6.44 km² | |
| Highest elevation | 9 m | |
| Residents | 151 23 inhabitants / km² |
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Prangli ( German Wrangelsholm , Swedish Vrangö ) is a small Estonian island in the Baltic Sea , located in the Gulf of Finland .
geography
The size of the island is 6.44 km², it is about nine kilometers off the northern mainland of the state. Pines predominate in the vegetation, especially in the east of the island , which offer good protection from the wind. The island is rich in boulders . The highest point is around nine meters above sea level.
history
Prangli was first mentioned in 1387 as Rango . The first settlers were Swedish-speaking , even Finns settled here and lived by fishing, from the seal hunt, and in the 20th century by the vodka - smuggling . It was not until the 17th century that the island was culturally influenced by Estonians.
At the beginning of the 20th century, geologists discovered natural gas sources on the island of Prangli and the neighboring island of Keri , which could be used, but were too unstable in the long run. However, the gas source on Prangli is still used to operate a grill in the park.
During the Second World War , a German fighter plane crashed over the island, the pilot of which was able to save himself with a parachute . The residents helped him to survive, so he gave them the parachute, which at the time was made entirely of parachute silk . Many women used this material to sew their wedding dresses. In the summer of 1941, Russian troops confiscated all of the fishermen's ships.
During the time Estonia belonged to the Soviet Union , the few inhabitants of the island were allowed to stay there, while all other small islands were evacuated and were part of the border system. Most of the Prangliers lived from fishing and had even founded a collective farm . The fish factory, in which mostly cod were processed, was located right at the port . Since the state became independent, the hall has served as a cultural meeting point, as a warehouse and the tourist information office is also located there. A new building with modern equipment has been planned at this point for some time, but the residents "have grown fond of the building".
In the 21st century, Prangli belongs to the Viimsi municipality . Currently 80 people live permanently on the island. In summer the number of inhabitants is around 151 people. From the port of Kelnase there is a ferry connection to Leppneeme on the mainland.
Buildings
On Prangli there is a lighthouse built in 1923 , which was operated with natural gas and was therefore unique in the world. After just a few years, it was converted to electrical energy. The lighthouse has been powered by solar cells since the 1990s.
port
church
museum
Volkshaus
In addition, there is a school for the children of the islanders, which even offers foreign language lessons.
literature
- Heino Gustavson: Prangli. Eesti raamat, Tallinn 1979.
Web links
- Map of Prangli
- Prangli lighthouse
- Prangli (English)
