Rakvere

Rakvere (formerly, Wesenberg or Wesenbergh in German) is a town in North Estonia, county seat of Lääne-Viru County, 20 km south of the Gulf of Finland. Rakvere is mainly known for its historic stone castle atop Vallimägi hill. The castle was built before 1226 at the site of the Tarwanpe fortress of ancient Vironians, known as Rakovor (Раковор) in Russian sources (see Battle of Rakovor). Rakvere was granted city rights on June 12, 1302. The composer Arvo Pärt spent his childhood in Rakvere.

Contents 1 Tarvas statue 2 Transport 2.1 Railroad 3 External link

[edit] Tarvas statue

Rakvere is also known now for its Tarvas statue of an aurochs, which was made by the Estonian sculptor Tauno Kangro. It is thought to be the largest animal statue in the Baltic countries.

It is situated on the edge of Vallimägi hill and was erected for the town's 700th birthday. Along with the granite block it sits on, the statue is 7 meters long, 4 meters high and weighs about 7 tons.

The statue is made out of bronze. The names of the companies and private people who financed it are engraved in the granite block.

[edit] Transport

[edit] Railroad

Passenger trains used to stop in Rakvere, but due to lack of passengers the service was suspended for a few years while only cargo trains stopped there and the railroad station was abandoned. However, in recent years the Edelaraudtee passenger trains have once again started taking passengers between Rakvere and Tallinn. Now the town is planning to renovate the train station. There have been rumors that an electric railway line is going to be extended to Rakvere.

[edit] External link

• Rakvere - Official website

Image:Laane-Virumaa coatofarms.png		Municipalities of Lääne-Viru County Urban municipalities: Kunda | Rakvere Rural municipalities: Haljala | Kadrina | Laekvere | Rakke | Rakvere | Rägavere | Sõmeru | Tamsalu | Tapa | Vihula | Vinni | Viru-Nigula | Väike-Maarja

ca:Rakvere

cs:Rakvere de:Rakvere et:Rakvere lt:Rakverė lv:Rakvere nl:Rakvere ro:Rakvere fi:Rakvere sv:Rakvere