Muhu

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Muhu (also called Muhumaa in Estonian) is an island in the West Estonian archipelago of the Baltic Sea. With an area of Template:Convert, it is the third largest island belonging to Estonia, after Saaremaa and Hiiumaa.

Together with neighbouring smaller islands of Kesselaid, Viirelaid, Võilaid and Suurlaid, it forms Muhu Parish (Template:Langx), the rural municipality within Saare County. The municipality has a population of 1,968 (as of 2010) and covers an area of Template:Convert. The population density is Template:Convert.

History and geographyEdit

The German names for the island are Mohn and Moon. Moon is also the Swedish name for the island.

The most important villages in Muhu are Kuivastu, Liiva (where the school can be found) and Koguva. In Pädaste, an internationally renowned luxury hotel and spa operates in the restored manor house.

The island is divided from mainland Estonia by the Suur Strait (Moonsund) and from Saaremaa by the Väike Strait. It is linked by ferry to Virtsu on the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway, the Väinatamm. In winter an ice road connects the island to the mainland.

In January 1227, an army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword with Letts, Germans of Riga and native Livonians (20,000 men commanded by William of Modena) crossed on sea ice from the mainland and attacked the island of Saaremaa to reduce the last holdout of pagan Estonians. The Estonians surrendered on Muhu at a circular stronghold called Mona, the earthworks of which are still preserved near the causeway between the islands. This ended the Estonian Crusade.

The Battle of Karuse or Battle on the Ice was fought on 16 February 1270 between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Livonian Order on the frozen Baltic Sea between Muhu and the mainland. The Lithuanians achieved a decisive victory. The battle, named after the village of Karuse, was the fifth-largest defeat of the Livonian or Teutonic Orders in the 13th century.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The same waters saw the Battle of Moon Sound in September–October 1917 between Russian and German naval forces.

Muhu is the home of Estonia's first wine tourism farm – Luscher & Matiesen Muhu Winehouse.

CultureEdit

Muhu is known for having the only traditional windmills in Estonia that are still operational. Muhu is also known for its traditional knitted stockings.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

GalleryEdit

NorthMuhuCoast.JPG

Northern coast of Muhu
MuhuStronghold.JPG

Muhu Stronghold, site of the native Estonian surrender to crusaders in 1227
Muhu stronghold memorial stone2.JPG

Monument in the center of the Muhu Stronghold
Üügu Cliff.jpg

Üügu cliffs
Muhu Katariina kirik Liiva külas.JPG

Muhu St. Catherine's Church
Pädaste mõisa peahoone.JPG

Pädaste Manor
Muhumuseum.jpg

Tooma farm, part of Muhu museum and birthplace of writer Juhan Smuul
Rongkäik, Muhu Põhikool.IMG 5102.JPG

Students and teachers in traditional clothing march in a procession in Liiva
In classroom of village school.JPG

Old village school
Old village.JPG

In Mõega village
Koguva sadam 2015.jpg

Koguva harbour
Windmill in Koguva(Estonia).jpg

Windmill in Koguva
EE Muhu fl.png

Flag of Muhu Parish
Muhu Valla vapp.svg

Coat of Arms of Muhu Parish

ReferencesEdit

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External linksEdit

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