Lake Saadjärv

Exhibition about the Fauna of Lake Saadjärv Opening on the Second Floor of the Ice Age Centre

Just 30 meters from the Ice Age Centre begins Lake Saadjärv. In fact, it consists of two lakes – Suurjärv and Voldi (also known as Tabivere Lake).

Lake Saadjärv is the pearl of Vooremaa, formed more than 10,000 years ago after the last Ice Age. As the ice sheets of the ice age moved, they left behind hollows between the ridges, which filled with melting glacier water. These formed the lakes.

Over time, many of these lakes have turned into bogs and disappeared, but Lake Saadjärv has remained.

Lake Saadjärv is one of the richest in folklore in Estonia. Supernatural forces and giants have been active in the lake, and Kalevipoeg is said to have thrown several stone rings into it. The lake itself has traveled much, burying beneath it a church, a manor, and great treasures.

The church that still stands by the lake was painted by artist Konrad Mägi. Moreover, two significant clergymen, O.W. Masing and A.W. Hupel, worked here. The church’s piano accompanist was known across Estonia as the Äksi witch.

One could say that the letter “õ” was born by this lake, here lies the precursor to Estonian-language journalism, here began the reading of fallen meteors, and here the first speeches for the preservation of cultural heritage were made.