Cultural heritage

The cultural heritage protection system applies primarily to the limited management zone of the Lahemaa National Park, which to a large extent the environment is created and shaped by humans. Such regions embody both cultural-historical and natural values, the preservation of which is important both in terms of culture and national or local identity.  In most of these areas there is a well-preserved heritage landscape which includes the elements of historical and cultural value from the prehistoric times (for example, graves and hand-crafted boulders) to contemporary values (eg schools and community buildings).

Historic landscape values in the Lahemaa National Park are the prehistoric landscapes around the Kahala Lake, in the Palmse-Vihasoo, Palmse-Karula and Kõnnu areas, manor complexes and manors with historical and cultural value, manor parks, alleys, taverns and historic roads, mills, cemeteries, chapels and sacred sites, schools and community houses, coal-burning sites, lime kilns, brick plants and factories, wooden and stone fences, indigenous place names, buildings of historic-cultural and architectural value of inland and coastal villages, ancient farmhouses and traditional settlement structure.

Also folk culture of Lahemaa is under protection. In the context of protecting the cultural heritage of the Lahemaa National Park, it is important to preserve the unique mental heritage and folk culture associated with the region - local traditions, work traditions, handicrafts skills, mental heritage.

Folk singers of Lahemaa at the national park's 45th birthday celebration . Photo: Riina Kotter