Loode, Saaremaa – Koorem Home

Nothing much remains of the Koorem home in Loode (Lode) outside of Kuressaare, Saaremaa, Estonia. This photo of Erika was taken on the site of the house which is in some fields beside a bird sanctuary during a visit in the summer of 2006. There is some rubble amongst the trees and the well is in the middle of the ajoining field. It is a peaceful place with lots of spiritual energy…..and memories.

Loode is home to the Loode Oak Grove which is a protected area and has some of the largest oak trees in Estonia, some believed to be 300 years old. There are also many rare plants in the area including many orchids. The area is popular with bird watchers and there is a bird observation tower by the sea.

Both Erika’s father Karl and grandfather Johann worked in the oak forest.

The area use to be popular with tourists and you could access it by car, train or boat from Kuressaare. In 1872 a passenger harbor (Port Artur harbor) was completed in Loode. There was a pier where the present bird tower is located and the Port Artur cafe was close by. Erika worked at the cafe when she was growing up. None of this remains today and nature has removed almost all traces of man.

Part Artur Cafe, Loode – Kuressaare, Saaremaa

About the Loode Oak Forest

Loode(maa) lies to the southwest of Kuressaare.  Activity in the area developed after the the Kuressaare bishop’s castle was built in the 14th century.  People settled on the banks of the Põduste River (the boundary to the area). Kuressaare evolved during the 16th century and oaks were planted in the pastures for the building of the fleet of merchant ships. The Suursild Bridge was built over the Põduste and this improved access to the Loode area.

Developments in land use at the end of the 18th century and the building of the road to the Sõrve Peninsula brought new life to Loode. The post of gamekeeper was created for Loode in 1811. Shipbuilding started on the bank of the Tori Cove between the city and Loode in 1810. The first mud bath facility of the future resort town was transferred there in 1856. In 1857 the first steamers with holidaymakers arrived in Kuressaare and the city became a popular Russian resort. The Tsarist government built modern infrastructure at Loode with a new port together with the Loode Highway and inn as key points. A railway serving the mud-bath facility was also built.

The Loode Port was very popular during 1874–93.  The Loode Oak Forest was popular with locals and visitors for hiking and picnics.  The Port Artur café was established on the shore of the Väike Katel Bay lying between Loode and Kuressaare.

Port Artur Cafe in the Loode Oak Forest

The average age of the oak trees are 150 years with some up to 300 years old.  In addition to oak trees, there are silver birches, downy birches, aspens, ash trees, and rowans. There are also 14 species of orchids including the yellow lady’s slipper .  A bird sanctuary of black-headed gulls and other water foul was established there in 1927.  The forest was placed under protection in 1955. In 2003, a bird watching tower was built there in the Loodenina Nature Reserve. To the north of the oak forest there are three lakes – Linnulaht, Suurlaht and Mullutu.  These have large reed beds and many species of birds.

Loode Bird Watching Tower (Loodenina)

German occupation authorities carried out executions of Jews and Communists in Loode in 1941, and so people no longer wanted to visit. After the war a barbed wire fence with was put up around the wood as ammunition was kept in depots built there. Under conservationists’ pressure the oak forest  was in 1959 once again turned into a state nature protection area and the ammunition depots were removed.

After the was during the Soviet occupation the area was used for agriculture and bird watching. A camping site was established on the site of the former inn.  Nearby a golf course has been built and the Loode area is once again becoming popular with tourists and visitors.

Loode Oak Forest