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A monument of a bizarre composition of architectural styles and the recklessness of the architect. Likely from the 19th century, when it was more or less a typical building in the spirit of classicism. In the early 20th century it was remade for modernisation purposes. Consequently, it turned into a strange form with elements of modernity and eclecticism. According to reports, Karl Schmidt, the author of many modern buildings in Saint Petersburg and Pavlovsk, immortalised himself here.
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Mädapea mõis
A brick building in the style of neoclassicism, built in 1850. Inside a collection of paintings and objects of everyday life can be found. When agreed with the owner, a look inside is possible.
Veltsi mõis
A manor house in the style of neoclassicism (end of the 19th century), and a very nice distillery, carelessly built of huge cobblestones. In addition, a small park completes the surroundings.
The pride of the locals. It is believed that Rakvere is the smallest city in the world, which has its own theatre and theatrical company. This location is the historical centre of Rakvere: ancient Estonian settlements were located here, and it also features the Rakvere Cultural Center. Formerly a classical farmstead, it was converted to a theatre in 1940 with the addition of a new building. Although, the manor and the theatre are made in completely different styles (the theatre itself is impregnated with the spirit of functionalism), they look surprisingly harmonious. Behind the building a pretty landscape park with ponds can be found.
The repertoire of the theatre are 20 productions, although it is not very clear who in Rakvere works on them.
Tarva kuju / Wild Herbivore
It’s considered to be the largest animal statue in the Baltics. According to the legend, there was an ox once in the world the size of the distance between Tartu and Rakvere, which destroyed everything in its way. One day it was killed, and his head fell down in Rakvere. So, the city began to be called Tarbapea (bull's head), and the rest fell to Tartu, called Tarbatu (bull). The attitude of the Tartu inhabitants to this legend is cautiously silent.
Burg Wesenberg
The first fortifications on the castle hill appeared at the beginning of the 13th century, when conquered by the Danes. In those years there was either a wooden one, or an unpretentious stone fortress, which the Russians tried to capture. After the transition of Estonian lands from Denmark to the Livonian Order, in the middle of the fourteenth century, a large, well fortified castle was built on the site of the old one. Some fragments can still be seen to this day. At the turn of the 16th-17th centuries, the castle was destroyed in the course of numerous wars between Sweden, Poland, and Russia. Afterwards, the locals used the ruins as a source of stone, until the first attempts of restoration began at the beginning of the 20th century. However, the main restoration was already in the late 1970s. Nowadays, it is something in between ruins and a full-fledged castle. The castle is very picturesque (inside and outside). To get inside you will have to buy a rather expensive ticket, which includes various amusements like archery, smithy, ancient armour, and the notorious "hell" chamber. In the summer, the castle works in a medieval style tavern (with no potatoes), but if its visit is not included in your plans, you can confine yourself to an external examination.
Rakvere Linnakodaniku muuseum
Museum of folk life, recreating the situation and occupation of the inhabitants of Rakvere in the first half of the 20th century.