Ninase: Cliff, Coastal Battery and Village Culture

The Tagaranna, also known as Ninase, cliff defines the character of Ninase with a striking coastal landscape and an unusual combination of nature observation, commemoration and regional history. Those looking for a place on Saaremaa with specific cultural points of interest will find several distinct themes here: the geological formation of the cliff, the 180 mm Coastal Defence Battery No. 317, a memorial to the sinking of the ferry “Estonia” and the figures in Ninase village.

Cliff and landscape of the Ninase Peninsula

The Tagaranna, also known as Ninase, cliff has a second, more inland step formed of Jaagarahu dolomite. This additional dolomite step extends the landscape beyond the immediate coastal edge and connects the cliff area with the interior of the peninsula. The geological term Jaagarahu dolomite refers to the rock forming this second step. Its position farther inland makes it part of the interior of the peninsula, not a second coastal edge. Inland, the Ninase Peninsula reaches an elevation of up to 19 m. This elevation figure refers to the interior; it should therefore be distinguished from the height of the cliff. The coastal edge and the interior thus form different areas within Ninase. For your choice of location, this means that Ninase can be viewed both through its cliff landscape and through the peninsula behind it, without equating the two areas.

The Ninase nature observation tower stands near the car park at the cliff. The cliff area therefore combines the coastal landscape with a specific place for observing nature. A memorial dedicated to the sinking of the ferry “Estonia” is also located on the Ninase cliff. Landscape, observation and commemoration form three distinct focal points that come together along the same stretch of coast.

Coastal Defence and History

A particularly striking historical testimony is Ninase’s 180 mm Coastal Defence Battery No. 317. It is one of the best-preserved monuments from the Second World War on Saaremaa. The battery adds a specific military dimension to the history of Ninase. Its classification as a Second World War site distinguishes it from the Estonia memorial, which is dedicated to a ferry sinking.

Piret, Tõll and a Village Custom

Ninase village is also home to an unusual example of local commemorative culture. In the village, the figures Piret and Tõll are also called Eit and Taat and wear traditional folk costumes. Two of the three former, dilapidated post mills in Ninase were converted into these figures in the 1970s. Piret and Tõll were the figures’ original names. Piret, Tõll, Eit and Taat therefore refer to the same two figures in the village.

Piret is also associated with a traditional custom: before they marry, young women place a stone bearing their maiden name under Piret’s skirt; this is intended to bring good luck in their marriage later on. The village tradition thus has a personal connection to marriage, while the battery and the Estonia memorial are associated with war history and the sinking of a ferry. If you would like to compare Ninase with other destinations within the same broader context, you can also find Küdema, Tagaranna and Rahtla.

For the broader travel overview: Mustjala.