Narva
A rich history
The city of Narva lies on Estonia’s eastern border, on the river of the same name (German: Narwa), just a few kilometres from the Baltic Sea coast. Its location at the river mouth made it an important trading post from an early date. Danes, the Teutonic Order, Swedes and Russians took turns occupying the city, each leaving their mark. Hermann Castle, on the eastern bank of the river, stands opposite the Russian fortress of Ivangorod. After the city was almost completely destroyed at the end of the Second World War, the downtown area was not rebuilt in its original style and is now characterised by Soviet architecture. More than 90 percent of the population is Russian-speaking.
Die Hermannsfeste
Photo: © oben: Lisa Schwalb / Wikipedia.de_CC3.0, Rathaus: © Anatra1987 / Wikipedia.de_gemeinfrei, unten: Geonarva / Wikipedia.de_CC3.0
Attractions and events
Hermann Castle (Hermanni Linnus), a former German Order castle, is the best-preserved of its kind in Estonia. Today it houses the city museum, where visitors can explore the city’s rich history and try their hand at traditional crafts. The Town Hall, dating from the Swedish period, is one of the few historic buildings in the city to have been reconstructed. Several churches of different denominations add variety to the cityscape.
Concerts, annual festivals and open-air performances are at the heart of the city’s cultural life. They are often held in the courtyard of Narva Castle, but also at other venues around the city, such as the new ice arena. Popular events include the International Mravinsky Music Festival in May, Narva City Days in July and the Narva Historical Festival in August.
The area around the city
The coast of the Gulf of Finland, 12 kilometres away, is the most popular destination for residents and visitors. The small town of Narva-Jõesuu is considered an attractive spa resort and one of the most beautiful places in Estonia. In the past, visitors came from Moscow and even from Crimea and the Caucasus. Famous guests included the artists Ilya Repin and Shishkin, the writers Leskov and Mamin-Sibiryak, and the poet Severyanin. The beach and forests here remain natural and well preserved. The excellent therapeutic climate, pine forest, 13-kilometre beach with its fine golden sand and the fresh Baltic Sea air all draw tourists to Narva-Jõesuu. A range of hotels and holiday accommodation invite visitors to stay.
You can book hotels in Narva directly.
