Testimonies of military events in Setoma – the land of Seti
This 20 km long excursion in the Setomaa region takes students through important stages of 20th century history – from the Freedom Struggle to the Soviet occupation. On the route from Värska to Saatse, you can explore the Freedom Struggle Monument, the former Northern Camp and the Värska Visitor Center, as well as the Saatse Museum, which reveals stories of border life and culture. The excursion combines historical knowledge with real-world experience, allowing you to understand the unique role of the Setomaa region in Estonian history.
What the tour includes
Students can start exploring the surroundings of Verska at the Freedom Struggle Monument , where they can experience how soldiers are honored and how the history of freedom struggles, which was banned during the Soviet occupation but later restored, is preserved through the stories and memories of local people. The Verska Visitor Center – the so-called Rēgi House – allows you to feel like you are in the summer residence of the historical general Nikolajs Rēke and learn in an interactive way how life and events in the Verska area are connected with the War of Independence, the healing mud and mineral water, which make this place special as a resort. In this area there was the so-called Northern Camp , where soldiers were trained in the past, and try to imagine what life was like in the barracks, horse stables and the spacious parade ground, which is partially preserved today. The Sātse Museum, on the other hand, offers an opportunity to get closer to the stories of border life and experience how people lived in a place where culture and everyday life were shaped in close connection with the border and historical events that influenced the entire Setomaa region – life, economy, and historical twists and turns.