Day 32 - Learning Some History

​Today we started our adventures at the Antique shop in Võru. When we went in there, we saw an abundance of old world things. It was incredible to see how they have preserved so many things, with the abundance of things, especially the manual tools. They also had some “Seto Jewellery” but luckily the day before we were told that often they sell fake items that are just dipped in silver. There was a necklace that this was definitely the case. There was some really funny door mats at the opening of the store, which I thought was cute. If I could take them home I probably would have. They also had some Sõlg’s (broaches) but mum told me she already had most of them so I didn’t buy any.

​Once we finished off at the Antique store, we headed to Vastseliina Castle. It was a castle built in around the 1300’s and parts of it are still standing today. Last time we came here we couldn’t get into the castle, but we did see the surrounding areas. When we went in, there were a range of rooms with different information about how life was back in the medieval years. Mum and I bad a brief moment of silliness and we started to have a sword fight. I wasn’t impressed she handed me the smaller sword of the two! I of course would like to say I won, but I don’t think it was possible. Mum and I walked through the rooms, reading some interesting information. I liked how they had a room dedicated to sex and pleasure in the medieval times. It was interesting what they thought regarding this, especially as it was attached to religion. What got us was the origin of the word ‘Dildo’. Originally it was said they used bread that was like a baguette that had dill in it as a dildo, so they named it a dildo. This made me giggle. I have taken some photos of other facts around sexual pleasure and torture, because some of it is unthinkable but also things you would consider these days to be absolutely insane. Apparently being beheaded was the most honourable way of dying. We then had a look around the castle, which had a stalks nest on it. It is the oldest recorded stalks nest in Estonia, dating back to the 18th Century. Stalks always return back to their nests each year to raise new babies so I thought it was pretty cool they still have this one. What I really liked about this area was the surrounding grounds. The forests, the streams and the nature. it was all so peaceful and green. I really enjoyed wondering around the area, considering what it might have been like to live in this period of time. They also have been restoring the castle and have put the bridge back where the original one was. I really like how they are trying to get things to back how they might have been back in the day when it was functional.

Once we left there, we started to have a look at two houses. They were part of my family many years ago. The yellowish looking house was Juuli Laan’s. This was my Great Grandmother, Anette’s, mother. So my Great Great Grandmother on my Mum’s Mum’s side. So many connections, it’s insane. When we were there looking at it, I started to imagine what life would have been like growing up here, right next to a castle, in the 1800’s. I imagine it would not have been easy but it would have definitely been an interesting period of time. We then headed to my Great Grandmother Anette’s house, where she had it as a summer house from Võru, with her Husband Osvald Ellamaa. Last time we were here, I went close to the house and it felt terrible, so I stayed in the car but mum walked up to the house and went around it. It was so surreal being there, imagining my Grandmother Silvy and Great Grandmother being there, seeing what I was seeing and living their lives. When mum told me they would travel between the two houses with a horse and cart, I could not even imagine it. We saw the house where they usually lived during the week days and it was not close to the summer house. What I really liked was the meadow next to it. Now it is covered in peas, but I wondered what it was like when they were here.

​We then headed to the cemetery where my Great Grandfather Osvald is buried. Luckily mum wrote down the instructions on how to get to his grave, last time we were here. We had to walk to tap 3 then 68 steps in, BUT it was Toivo who measured them so we had to account for that. It was nice when we were there, so peaceful with the wind flowing through the trees. I did have a small moment of sadness when it occurred to me that Osvald was buried alone. There was room around him for people but his family all left Estonia. He died when he was 44, in 1943, and was one of the Freedom Fighters. For this he received a medal, the Vabariigi Rist (Freedom Cross). This is a very honourable thing to receive in Estonia and is the equivalent of the Victoria Cross in Australia. The gentleman we met the day before, sent me an article, sharing there were 5 men buried in the same cemetery with the same honourable cross. It was still somewhat surreal being in this area, surrounded by forest and being where Osvald was laid to rest. The other wonderful thing in this cemetery is they have a monument and tribute to the forest brothers. I really like how they have created some beautiful tree statues amongst their head stones and written a short story about the significance of the forest brothers, in Estonia. It made me smile that they were still surrounded by forest, in this cemetery and the feel of it was so peaceful and just right.

​Mum and I drove back to Võru and had a chilled afternoon. I think we, well I was, were still very drained from all the emotions and experiences we had the day before. It was something very different and not what I had expected. I wonder what adventures we will get up to today!
Until tomorrow
Marissa xx