Monument to the War of Independence in Petseri County
Memorial site

This monument in Värska was constructed in accordance with the designs and photos of sculptor Roman Haavamäe in 1938 and is unique among the restored War of Independence monuments in Estonia. Originally the monument was to be unveiled in Freedom Park in Petseri, but the Soviet occupation prevented this twice, in 1940 and 1944. It was completed 80 years later and unveiled in a new location in Värska, the new administrative centre of the Setomaa region. It is adorned with the coat of arms of the town of Petseri, as the monument was originally funded by the townspeople. It is dedicated to the many who were killed – some estimates suggest around 350 died in the battles fought in Petseri County. The monument stands five metres high and is crowned with a statue of a man wielding a sword and a shield depicting three leopards.