Sakla: Cultural History at the Seltsimaja

The Sakla Seltsimaja gives Sakla’s cultural history a tangible setting. The Sakla Museum, designed as a historical museum, is located in the building’s basement. The complex also includes a village square with seating and a swing. The history of the building and the exhibition themes offer different ways to explore Sakla, ranging from architectural history to collections and local traditions.

The Sakla Museum: Collective Farm History and Collections

One exhibition is devoted to the establishment of the collective farm. The subject focuses on collectivised agriculture, adding a social dimension to the building’s history. There is also a private collection of old radios and televisions, as well as an exhibition of wooden horses from Voldemar Luht’s private collection. The themes differ in form: the collective farm exhibition explores a historical development; the radios and televisions are specific everyday technical objects, while the wooden horses make up a collection of their own. Visitors interested in Sakla’s cultural history can distinguish between the themes according to their own interests: the collective farm exhibition focuses on a social development, while the collections focus on specific objects and their origins. The museum thus presents a historical theme alongside different collection pieces as distinct areas of interest.

The Architectural History of the Sakla Seltsimaja

The Sakla Seltsimaja was built in 1957 on the foundations of Aleksander Mihkels’ home. Mihkels was the tenant of the Uue-Lõve post station. The year 1957 marks the construction of the Seltsimaja; its connection to the post station stems from Mihkels’ role as tenant. The building’s history offers a different perspective from the collective farm exhibition: it is tied to a specific building and the home that preceded it, while the exhibition deals with a development in agriculture. Those who like to explore historical contexts through a particular building will find a tangible point of connection here. This makes it possible to distinguish the history of the Seltsimaja from the museum’s exhibition themes, without losing sight of its links to the former home or Mihkels’ tenancy.

Traditions and Cultural Activities

The Saialaat is one of Sakla’s traditional events. Large clean-up work parties take place every spring; various craft techniques have been presented at work parties in Sakla. The cultural picture therefore encompasses not only the museum and architectural history, but also an event tradition, community work and practical techniques. The timing differs: the Saialaat is described as a tradition, while the clean-up work parties take place every spring. If you are considering the Saialaat as a possible reason for your trip, check the specific event dates in advance.

The seasonal Kella Café is part of the Sakla Museum and is open during the summer season. As its opening dates may change, it is advisable to check the current opening days before visiting. The café is therefore a seasonal part of the museum surroundings and can be considered separately when planning a summer-season trip.

In 2022, the Sakla Association organised museum tours for travel groups and various workshops on folk culture topics. The tours focus on the museum, while the workshops cover folk culture topics. If you are planning a tour for a travel group or a workshop, confirm current availability in advance. This clearly distinguishes the association’s past activities from dates that can be planned today.

Discover more destinations: Kungla, Turja, Kalli.

Go to the main travel overview: Valjala Parish.