Haeska – History and Landscape

Haeska can be understood through several strands that differ in time and subject: the manor was established in the 16th century, a 1937 map records the merging of named settlement areas, and recordings preserve music from Haeska. These are complemented by descriptions of the landscape and local traditions. This distinction is useful when planning your trip: a historical reference, a story about the landscape and a music recording each answer different questions about the place.

Manor History and Village Development

Haeska Manor was established in the third quarter of the 16th century. A 1937 map describes the village of Haeska as having formed through the merger of the former village of Taki and the farmsteads of Selja and Kordi; Taki consequently disappeared from the map. The manor’s history and the mapped development of the settlement are two distinct points of reference: one concerns the establishment of the manor, the other the merger of the named settlement areas. Haeska thus offers a chance to consider both the history of a manor and the development of a village as shown on a map.

Landscape and Traditions

A historical tradition describes the Haeska Hiiepaju as a meadow, explicitly not a tree; islands and hills are said to surround it. Another local tradition connects the Haeska Hiiepaju with a hiiekivi: offerings are said to have been made at the stone, but it has not yet been sought out. The story of a possible former offering practice places a different emphasis from the description of the meadow and its surroundings.

A 2025 survey describes Pajumägi in Haeska as especially picturesque. A tradition about an old path also records a change over time: the trail through the Haeska bog to Lööne was once still visible and later became completely overgrown. While Pajumägi is characterized as a place, the account of the path describes change over time.

A local tradition about the building stones of Valjala Church also leads to Haeska: they are said to have come from the forest near Nõmme and from Samlik farm. Limestone quarries were reportedly still visible at these places. The story thus connects named locations in Haeska with a traditional account of the origin of the building material used for Valjala Church.

Musical Traces

The musical traces focus on specific people and recordings. A 1961 recording documents August Trei, Mihkel Trei’s nephew, singing several songs composed by his uncle in Haeska. Field recordings from 1961 also document that the songs of local song master Mihkel Trei were popular in the Valjala area. This reference describes a wider geographical area than the recording located in Haeska. Juhan Lätt from Haeska was also recorded performing songs and instrumental pieces. These accounts thus bring together named musicians and different musical contributions, while retaining their respective geographical references to Haeska and the Valjala area.

Discover more destinations: Valjala, Lilbi, Haapsu, Mustjala, Tumala, Pamma, Koguva, Kuralase

For the broader travel overview: Saaremaa.