Soviet prisoner-of-war camp cemetery in Priimetsa
Memorial site

Foto: Mart Mõniste
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 Roheline 1/Linnamets 1, Valga, Estija, Valgamaa
 +372 766 1699
 Valga Külastuskeskus
237

During World War II, three prisoner-of-war camps were situated in Valga: the Frontstalag 347 branch camp, base camp Stalag 351 and transit camp Dulag 110. It is unknown how many Soviet prisoners of war passed through there. It is estimated that between 5000 and 15,000 were killed. After the war, a monument was erected on the site of the camp in what is now Priimetsa, reading "Stay alert, people" and bearing the years 1941-1944. Although those killed can be counted in the thousands, the number 29,000 engraved on the monument is an exaggeration. Following the German occupation, the camps were taken over by Soviet forces, placing their own prisoners there before killing them. Still, their body count reached a lesser figure of around 300. These prisoners have their own monument, unveiled by the German Volksbund.

Used sources and references:

Eesti sõjaajaloo teejuht, Tallinn 2010. Compiled by K. Luts