Pirita: Nature protection and recreation

PIRITA

Nature protection and recreation 1

Tallinn aims at obtaining the title of the European Green Capital by the year 2018.

Achieving that goal requires a lot of responsible work so that the city would meet many environmental demands: green areas must be appropriate for everyone and be a part of the public domain; air quality and noise pollution, garbage disposal, water consumption and wastewater purification need to comply with standards. The image of a green capital is illustrated by environmentally friendly and safe beaches with excellent water quality and the functional infrastructure of natural values that allow city dwellers to spend a pleasant holiday here. Green areas in urban environments need to be preserved and used well. This is something we all have to work for in the name of the title of the Green Capital.

Arvo Sarapuu Deputy Mayor of Tallinn

The beach, the sea and the beautiful nature are the keywords which have always attracted thousands of visitors to Pirita. A tidy and clean city district is the pride of our inhabitants and the joy of our guests. In order to keep Pirita in such a state, we have to take care of and protect the environment in Pirita together. I wish you pleasant and environment friendly stay in Pirita!

TĂľnis MĂślder Head of Pirita District 2

Pirita, a holiday area loved by the people of Tallinn, is situated in the north-eastern part of Tallinn. Pirita is popular both in summer as well as in winter, since here you can swim, take a walk in the woods or go skiing. Lillepi Park is very popular among roller skaters, who have a special roller skaters’ lane there. Pirita also oers plenty of activities for sailors, swimmers, bicyclists, skiers, athletes and recreational sports enthusiasts.

The centre of Pirita grew up around the convent. It was established in the 15th century at the initiative of the people of Tallinn. The three-aisle church was completed in 1436 and was built on the land that had been gifted to the convent by the Livonian Order. The statutes of the convent were prepared in Sweden, Vadstena Abbey, under Pirita Convent the directions of Birgitta Gudmarsson, also known as Saint Birgitta (Bridget of Sweden). Pirita received its name from the name of the convent dedicated to Saint Birgitta.

Pirita Convent was destroyed in the Livonian War. The monumental western gable, walls and foundation of the convent have been preserved. In summers, concerts are organised in the ruins of the convent. Next to the ruins, a new convent of the Bridgettine Order operates.

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Reminders for 1.

Remember and respect the rules of conduct while at the beach.

Preserve nature.

At the beach, behave and act so that you yourself would like to go back.

Playing ball may disturb other holiday-makers – it is only allowed in places where others are not nearby.

Put your rubbish in the litter bin. We are very thankful if you pick up trash even left there by others.

Making a fire and barbecuing are

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BLUE

FLAG

PIRITA ADVENTURE PARK AREA

Pirita District Administration

SWIMMING SAFE

USE CAUTION

FIRST AID / BAYWATCH

SHOPPING CENTER

POLICE

KIOSK

EATERY

PARKING SPACE

DRINKING WATER

BUS STOP

WC

TAXISTAND

INVA WC

SURF CLUB

INVA AVENUE

BANK

SHOWER

MINIGOLF

YOU ARE HERE

INFO BOARD

BATH IN

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beach visitors only allowed on the picnic sites marked on the map.

7. Do not bring glass bottles or other possibly dangerous items to the beach.

8. Please leave your pets at home.

9. Riding a bicycle is only allowed on bike lanes. It is strictly forbidden to cycle on the beach.

10. Camping and riding horses on the beach is not allowed.

11. Park your car in the car park or on streets further away.

GUARDED SWIMMING AREA

SWIMMING DANGEROUS

SWIMMING AREA

OBSERVE THE WARNING FLAGS

FLAG POST

WATER SAMPLE COLLECTING POINT

PLAYGROUND

FORBIDDEN TO WALK WITH DOGS

FITNESS MACHINES

GUARDED SWIMMING AREA

SURF LAUNCHING

ROAD FOR BICYCLES AND WALKERS

VOLLEYBALL AREA FOOTBALL AREA WASTE SWIMMING BEACH PARKING SPACE FOR BICYCLES

Lillepi Park

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Pirita Sports Centre, cemetery and chapel

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Tallinn Olympic Sailing Centre

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Kalev Yacht Club

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Ruins of Pirita Convent

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Pirita seawall

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Pirita Beach

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© REGIO 2012 KL-12-032

600 m

On the city-side shore of the river of Pirita, behind Pirita Cemetery, is the Koch family cemetery with a chapel under heritage conservation. It is a two-storey building made out of yellow bricks with a high base made of natural earth stones.

Pirita has been a part of Tallinn since 1940. Before that, the area was a holiday site, which has changed over time – into housing estates with mostly one-family-houses.

The development of Pirita Beach began in 1925 when Kloostrimetsa Sanatorium rented the seaside forest from Pirita River to Merivälja for 60 years. The pine forest of Pirita was planted to fix the sand into place. The first pine trees were planted in the 1860s. The planting was led by Viimsi Manor.

Trees have been planted here in three stages. The younger part of the forest on the side of Pirita River was planted in the beginning of the 20th century. The trees on the shoreside only have branches on one side – due to strong winds blowing in one direction.

Creeks add diversity to the area – the surroundings of Teesuuoja and Mähe creeks feature mixed forests, where grey alders and black alders grow next to pine trees.

According to the bathing water directive of the European Union, the quality of swimming water is estimated as very good, good, satisfactory or deficient. The Health Board has estimated the water of Pirita pursuant to the requirements of the directive to be very good. You can find information about the quality of bathing water in particular beaches at this Internet address: http://www.terviseamet.ee/ keskkonnatervis/vesi/suplusvesi/avalikud-supluskohad.html.

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Pirita is rich in protected objects. The following boulders are under protection: the boulder of Aia stop, Aianduse rock, Astla rock, Kuradisadul, Lükati boulder, Merivälja giant boulder, Merivälja Suurkivi, Väina road rock and Suurekivi boulder.

Maarjamäe limestone Lükati boulder shore and Varsaallikad at the foot of it, Pärnamäe spit and Lükati outcrop are also protected.

Lillepi Park and gardens in Hõbekuuse road 31 / Tuule St. 3b and Väina road 4 are also protected.

The trees preserved are: the grieving forms of Silver Birch and European larch in the cemetery of Pirita Convent, Small-leaved Lime (Kose road 57) and two indigenous oak trees (Põõsa road 1).

Maarjamäe Klint features a permanent habitat of Alpine mouse-ear chickweed, Ascending Saxifrage, Large Pink and Сotoneaster melanocarpus.

Among other plants being preserved, these also grow in Pirita: Goodyera orchid, Broad-leaved Helleborine, Sea-pink, Leathery Grapefern, Common Duckweed, Fir Clubmoss,

Small Pasque Flower 9

Alpine Meadow-grass, Large Bitter-cress, Baltic marsh orchid, Woodland Draba, Spring Vetch, Small Pasque Flower, maidenhair spleenwort and introduced foreign plants like dwarf everlast and German Madwort.

Five species of bats have been spotted: Northern bat, Noctule bat, Daubenton’s bat, Pond Bat and Nathusius’ Pipistrelle.

In addition, Pirita River provides a home for other species that need protection as well, such as salmon, bullhead, Spined Loach and thick shelled river mussel.

Near the southern side of Pirita Beach starts the landscape protection area of Pirita river valley. This protection area was established in 1957 and covers 703.2 hectares. The aim of the protection area is to preserve and introduce the terraces, outcrops, plant habitats and forests of the river valley. Around 650 plant species grow in the area naturally and over 120 species of birds have been counted there, 100 of whom nest. Some 25 different species of fish live in the lower course of Pirita River.

The Tallinn Botanical Garden is also situated in the nature protection area of Pirita river valley. In over 50 years’ time, many collections of different plants have been created to demonstrate the variety of nature. The garden has plants with over 8,500 different names.

There are two educational nature trails in the Botanical Garden: one introduces the plant cohabitation in the nature protection area and the other one gives information about Kloostrimetsa Marsh. A nature school cooperates with the Botanical Garden to organize

Landscape protection area of Pirita river valley 10

Tallinn Botanical Garden tours and lessons in the gardens and greenhouses for students of all ages.

The Tallinn Botanical Garden is open every day. In summer, you can admire the campestral collections from 10 AM to 8 PM, greenhouses from 11 AM to 6 PM. In the winter, campestral collections are open from 11 AM to 5 PM and the greenhouses from 11 AM to 4 PM. From the city centre, buses no. 34A or 38 will take you to the garden. From Lasnamäe, bus no. 49. The stop to get off the bus is KLOOSTRIMETSA. Tallinn City Tour buses also stop at KLOOSTRIMETSA. The Tallinn TV Tower stands quite close to the Tallinn Botanical Garden. This 314 metre tower features a viewing platform at 170 metres, offering views of the forests of Pirita and Muuga, the Old Town of Tallinn and the Baltic Sea.

*** The owner of Pirita Beach is the Pirita District Administration, phone 645 7040, pirita@tallinnlv.ee Supervision is arranged by the Northern Service of the Health Board, phone 694 3727, pohja@terviseamet.ee.

Published by: Tallinna Keskkonnaamet Compiled by: Sirje Aher ja Olev Abner Photos by: Raul Kask, Meelis Tomson, Georg Aher, Olev Abner, Märt Holtsmann Layout: MTÜ Loodusajakiri, Raul Kask Translated/Edited by Filoloog translation bureau

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The Blue Flag eco-label is maintained by a Danish organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). www.blueflag.org

Tallinn Environment Department 2014

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