1. KURESSAARE Authors: Marianne- Liis Käärid and Marju Lahtein

2. Location

3. General Facts o Territory: 15 km² o Population: 15 420 (40.7% of the population of Saaremaa) o Population composition: 98% Estonians, 2% Russians o Yearly precipitation: 550 mm o Yearly hours with the sun: 1,800 h

4. History o 1381 - Oesel-Wick bishopric castle first mentioned. o 1563, 8 May - Kuressaare obtained the freedom of a town (Rigas bylaws). o 1645 - according to the Brömsebro Peace Treaty Saaremaa became a Swedish area. o 1710, 15 Sept - the castle garrison,devastated by plague, surrendered. A long-term crisis in the town development followed under the Russian rule. o 1886 - Estonian Society of Kuressaare was founded. o 1990, 1 Oct - Kuressaare became the first municipal town in Estonia.

5. Flag and Coat-of-arms

6. Sightseeing o Kuressaare Episcopal Castle - The castle was built in the late 14th century. The basic plan of the building is a square with sides 43 metres. o The Town Hall - The Town Hall was completed in 1670. Today the Town Hall Gallery exhibits art. The Tourist Information Office is also situated in the Town Hall. o The Town Park –It’s territory is about 17 hectars. There are about 80 species of trees and bushes growing in the park. o The Weighhouse - The Weighhouse stands at the central square. It was built in 1666 to keep the public scales in there, while the central square served as the market place.

7. Local Traditions o Kuressaare Opera Days - The only opera days in Estonia, which have been held since 1999 o Kuressaare Summer Music o Chamber Music Days o Kuressaare Maritime Days o Festival of Mini - Theatres

8. Education o There are 5 schools in Kuressaare: Saaremaa co.-Ed. Gymnasium, Kuressaare Gymnasium, Kuressaare Vanalinna School, Kuressaare Elementary School and Kuressaare Adult Gymnasium.

9. Entertainment o Nightclubs: Club Privilege and Club Diva. o Cinema: Club Diva. o Theatre: Kuressaare Town Theatre. o Sports: 3 tennis courts, 1 golf court, 2 bowling alleys. o SPAs: 5 SPAs including 1 in the middle of the city.

10. Sports o Football: FC Kuressaare o Basketball: Kuressaare SK Vesse o Tennis: tennis club Sinnet