Põldeotsa: Audru Polder and Village History

Põldeotsa combines the landscape of the Audru Polder with a history that remains tangible in the village itself. This presents two different priorities when choosing a place to stay: the protected nature on Pärnu Bay and the traces of the former Audru kirikumõis. This picture is complemented by a specifically described route between Audru and Valgeranna Beach.

Audru Polder and Protected Nature

The Audru polder was established in 1938 as Estonia’s first coastal polder on Pärnu Bay to prevent flooding. In this context, a polder refers to a developed area whose creation is closely connected with the regulation of a water-dominated landscape. The year and the original purpose give the area a clearly recognizable human and landscape dimension: the Audru polder is not merely an open area, but also evidence of deliberate landscape design on the coast.

Within the Audru-poldri Nature Reserve, Audru poldri looduskaitseala, lies Audru poldri LKA, Audru pv., as a protected nature reserve. Its conservation objective is to maintain and improve the favorable condition of birds’ resting and feeding areas. This conservation focus is decisive for the character of the surrounding nature: the emphasis is not on arbitrary landscape impressions, but on the function of specific areas for birds that are resting and seeking food. In this way, alongside its history as a coastal landscape, the polder also has a clearly defined role in bird conservation.

Audru kirikumõis in the Present-Day Village

A second point of orientation is Audru kirikumõis. It was located in the present-day village of Põldeotsa, and the wooden main building of the complex has been preserved. These two details distinguish the local history from a mere trace of a name: the former Audru kirikumõis was connected with the present-day village, while a specific structural part of the complex has survived. For visitors who do not wish to view nature and culture as separate subjects, this provides an independent point of connection within the local history.

Route between Audru and Valgeranna

There is also a precisely described connection for navigating the surrounding area. A 2.5-kilometer-long route runs along the road between the small town of Audru and Valgeranna Beach. The route therefore identifies not only two fixed reference points, but also a manageable length. It can be considered a clearly defined route option when planning a day, without needing to infer any further information about duration, facilities, or accessibility.

Põldeotsa village is also home to Ku:Kärg, a holiday village and tourism farm. In addition to nature conservation, polder history, and architectural heritage, a tourism facility is therefore also part of the village landscape. For further orientation, Audru, Lindi, Kabriste and Malda also belong to the same broader context.

To the broader travel overview: Audru.