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Source: Katrin Laurson

Vana-Võromaa (Old Võromaa)

Comprising parts of Võru, Põlva, Valga, and Tartu Counties, this region of South Estonia has a rich linguistic and cultural history.

"Aigu om!" is the motto of the Võro people.

This phrase means "there is time" or "take your time" in the Võro language. It does not refer to simply letting time pass; rather, it emphasizes the art of mindfulness, of being present in the moment.

Time seems to move differently in Vana-Võromaa, the hilly region of South Estonia historically home to speakers of the Võro language. However, language is only one aspect of their rich culture. To fully appreciate this area of Estonia, you, too, will have to slow down and "take your time."

The city of Võru

The capital of Old Võromaa is the city of Võru, which was founded more than 200 years ago by order of the Russian empress Catherine II. The first street in the city was named after her — it leads down from the central square and Catherine's Church to Lake Tamula. Follow the lakeside promenade to Roosiasaare, a Stone Age settlement where people lived at least 5,000 years ago.

A culture anchored by ancient roots

An important part of the culture of Old Võromaa is the Võro language, which is still spoken today by approximately 75,000. It is the second-most widely spoken regional language in Estonia and an important marker of Võro identity. The first-ever Võro Congress was held in 2023, where the community advocated for designation as an indigenous community and for the government to protect and support the use of the Võro language in education, media, and cultural spaces.

There are several museums you can visit to learn more about this fascinating region. The creator of the Estonian national epic "Kalevipoeg," Fr. R. Kreutzwald (1803–1882), worked as a doctor in Võru for 44 years; his home — one of the oldest in the Võru — is now a museum dedicated to his life. Two open-air museums, the Karilatsi Open Air Museum and the Mõniste Museum of Rural Life, educate visitors about the life in the past in Vana-Võromaa.

Every summer, Uma Pido, a Võro-language song and folk festival, brings together locals and visitors to celebrate Võro culture. The annual Võru folk dance festival attracts dancers from all over Estonia and around the world.

National Geographic frame in Räpina, Vana-Võromaa

Source: Tatiana Metsala

Things to see and do in Old Võromaa

Cleansing the body and soul

Estonia's ancient smoke sauna traditions have survived in Old Võromaa. In 2009, the rituals, traditions, and beliefs surrounding the smoke sauna were added to UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Eda Veeroja, the owner of Mooska Farm, is working to keep the smoke sauna tradition alive by introducing it to visitors from all over Estonia and around the world. Veeroja offers a guided ritual, but there a plenty more smoke saunas to visit in the area where you can experience a smoke sauna on your own.

Source: Georgius Misjura

An inside look at the Võro smoke sauna tradition

The UNESCO-listed Võro smoke sauna tradition has both practical and spiritual sides. Adam Rang walks you through every part of this ancient tradition.

Smoke saunas in Vana-Võromaa

A land of rolling hills and valleys

Old Võromaa is known for some of Estonia's most picturesque landscapes, and according to local beliefs, some of the most sacred.

You may notice ribbons, strings, or a small amount of food or drink left at natural sites in the region, like at the sacred spring on the Taevaskoda hiking trail. These areas are considered to hold great power, and visitors leave behind these offers as gifts to the spirits that inhabit these places — please do not remove them. Respect the site by keeping quiet, and perhaps you, too, will be able to feel what makes the place special.

Vana-Võromaa is a paradise for nature lovers, with extensive opportunities for hiking, canoeing, swimming, and birdwatching. Haanja Nature Park is home to Suur Munamägi, Estonia's highest point. Nearby is Estonia's smallest national park, Karula National Park.

Scroll through the gallery below to see how to enjoy Old Võromaa's natural beauty.

Arial view of Old Võromaa hilly countryside and farms

Source: Sven Zacek

Katrin Laurson

Source: Katrin Laurson

Rõuge observation tower pesapuu in South Estonia

Martin Mark

Source: Martin Mark

Katrin Laurson

Source: Katrin Laurson

Exploring Taevaskoda in South Estonia during winter

Rauno Liivand

Source: Rauno Liivand

Hinni Canyon in Vana-Võromaa during summer

Karl Markus Antson

Source: Karl Markus Antson

View in winter from Suur Munamägi Estonia's highest point

Martin Mark

Source: Martin Mark

Try wild swimming in a bog.

Discover Old Võromaa's natural beauty

Source: Mati Kose

Karula National Park

The country's smallest national park protects a landscape of gently rolling hills not typically found elsewhere in Estonia.

Getting hungry?

The food culture of Old Võromaa reflects a close connection with nature. Mushroom and berry picking are popular pastimes, and sauna-smoked meat is one of the area's most unique foods.