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Coordinates: 59°21′N 26°21′E / 59.350°N 26.350°E / 59.350; 26.350
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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox_Linn|
{{Short description|Town in Estonia}}
fullname=Rakvere linn|
{{Infobox settlement <!--more fields are available for this Infobox--See Template:Infobox Settlement-->
name=Rakvere|
| name = Rakvere
flag=Rakvere_flag.png|
| settlement_type = [[List of cities and towns in Estonia|Town]]
coatofarms=Rakvere_coatofarms.png|
| image_skyline = Rakvere Estonia View over the city.JPG
county=Lääne-Viru County|
| imagesize =
mayor=Andres Jaadla|
| image_caption = View over Rakvere
area=10.64|
| image_flag = Flag of et-Rakvere.svg
population=16,851|
| flag_size = 125px
population_as_of=2004|
| image_seal =
populationdensity=1,583.7|
| seal_size =
coor=59°21' N 26°21' E|
| image_shield = Rakvere vapp.svg
params=59_21_N_26_21_E|
| shield_size = 75px
map=Rakvere_location.png|
| image_blank_emblem =
| blank_emblem_type = <!-- defaults to Logo -->
| blank_emblem_size =
| nickname =
| motto = ''Väge täis'' (Full of might)
| pushpin_map = Estonia#Baltic Sea
| pushpin_label_position = bottom
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Estonia
| coordinates = {{coord|59|21|N|26|21|E|region:EE|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = [[Estonia]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[Counties of Estonia|County]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Lääne-Viru County]]
| established_title = <!-- Town rights -->
| established_date =
| government_type =
| leader_party = [[Isamaa]]
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Triin Varek
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 10.75
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 15516
| population_as_of = 2024
| population_rank = [[List of cities and towns in Estonia|8th]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| demographics_type1 = [[Ethnicity]]
| demographics1_footnotes =
| demographics1_title1 = [[Estonians]]
| demographics1_info1 = 88%
| demographics1_title2 = [[Russians]]
| demographics1_info2 = 9%
| demographics1_title3 = other
| demographics1_info3 = 3%
| timezone = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset = +2
| timezone_DST = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset_DST = +3
| elevation_m = 82
| area_code = (+372) 032
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = 44306
| registration_plate = R
| website = {{URL|www.rakvere.ee/}}
| iso_code = EE-663
}}
}}
'''Rakvere''' is the administrative centre, or county seat, of [[Lääne-Viru County]] in northern [[Estonia]], about 100 km southeast of [[Tallinn]] and 20 km south of the [[Gulf of Finland]] and the [[Baltic Sea]]. From the 13th century until the early 20th century, Rakvere was more widely known by its historical German name ''Wesenberg(h)''<!--( {{lang-de|Wesenberg}}, {{IPA-de|ˈveːzn̩ˌbɛʁk|-|De-Wesenberg.ogg}})-->.


==History==
The earliest signs of a human settlement, dating back to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th centuries [[AD]], have been found on the present-day theatre hill. Probably to protect this settlement, a wooden stronghold was built on another hill (''Vallimägi'') nearby.


After the [[Kingdom of Denmark]] conquered northern Estonia, its new rulers started to erect stone buildings in 1220. A settlement called ''Tarvanpea'' is first mentioned in 1226 in the [[Chronicle of Henry of Livonia]]. The Danish stronghold is first recorded as ''Wesenbergh'' (in [[Middle Low German]]) in 1252. The [[Battle of Wesenberg (1268)|Battle of Wesenberg]], with the Danish and [[Teutonic Order|Teutonic knights]] and local militia on one side and the forces of [[Novgorod Republic|Novgorod]] and [[Principality of Pskov|Pskov]] on the other, occurred near Rakvere on 18 February 1268. Rakvere was granted [[Lübeck rights]] on 12 June 1302. After the Danish king sold [[Danish Estonia]] to the [[Livonian Order]] in 1346, a large castle was built on top of the previous stronghold. The [[Ordensburg]] was protected by towers and courtyards.
{{cleanup-date|March 2006}}


[[File:Rakvere linnuse varemed vallikraaviga1.jpg|left|thumb|Rakvere Castle]]
'''Rakvere''' (formerly, ''Wesenberg'' or ''Wesenbergh'' in [[German language|German]]) is a town in North [[Estonia]], county seat of [[Lääne-Viru County]], 20 km south of the [[Gulf of Finland]]. Rakvere is mainly known for its historical stone castle in Vallimägi Hill. The castle was built before [[1226]] at the place of Tarwanpe fortress of ancient [[Vironians]], known as ''Rakovor'' (Раковор) in [[Russian language|Russian]] sources. Rakvere was granted city rights in [[June 12]], [[1302]]. Famous composer [[Arvo Pärt]] spent his childhood in Rakvere.
The building of a [[Franciscan]] monastery started in 1508. In 1558, [[Tsardom of Russia|Muscovite]] troops captured Rakvere. In 1574, [[Swedish Empire|Sweden]] heavily damaged the town after the disastrous [[Siege of Wesenberg]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Peterson|first=Gary Dean|title=Warrior kings of Sweden. The rise of an empire in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries|publisher=McFarland|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7864-2873-1|pages=91–92}}</ref> In 1581, Sweden captured Rakvere<ref>{{cite book|last=Black|first=Jeremy|title=Warfare. Renaissance to revolution, 1492–1792|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=1996|series=Cambridge Illustrated Atlases|volume=2|isbn=0-521-47033-1|page=59}}</ref> and passed it to the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]] in 1602; Polish troops destroyed the castle in 1605. After Rakvere returned to Swedish control that same year, a mansion was built on the ruins of the monastery. In 1703, during the [[Great Northern War]], Rakvere was burned down. With the [[Capitulation of Estonia and Livonia]] in 1710 and the subsequent [[Treaty of Nystad]] in 1721, the town became part of the [[Russian Empire]]. It was a part of Russia until 1918 when, following [[World War I]], Estonia became an independent nation.


During Estonia's first period of independence from 1918 to 1940, many prominent buildings were built in Rakvere, including the market building, the old bank building (today, [[SEB Pank]]), and Rakvere Secondary School (since 2022, Rakvere Freedom School). Local newspapers emerged, including the county paper ''[[Virumaa Teataja]]'' in 1925. The idea of a professional theatre in Rakvere started to take shape as well. In 1930, during the administration of Mayor [[Heinrich Aviksoo]], the town stadium opened.
== Tarvas Statue ==
[[Image:Tarvas Statue.jpg|thumb|220px|left|The Tarvas Statue]]
Rakvere is also known now for its Tarvas [[statue]] which was made by the Estonian [[sculpture|sculptor]] Tauno Kangro. It's thought to be the largest animal statue in the [[Baltic countries]].


Rakvere is reportedly Europe's smallest town with its own professional [[Rakvere Theatre|theatre]].<ref>Taul, Gregor. [https://archive.today/20120913112409/http://www.sirp.ee/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13717:turism-ja-linnamaastikud-pihkvas&catid=20:arhitektuur&Itemid=25&issue=3374 "Turism ja linnamaastikud Pihkvas"]. ''Sirp''. 22 December 2011. Accessed 4 April 2012. {{in lang|et}}</ref> The roots of Rakvere Theatre date back to 1882. Construction of the theatre was completed at the end of the 1930s, and its festive opening was on 24 February 1940. The theatre survived [[World War II]] and, today, presents 10 new productions each season. Rakvere Theatre has given Estonia many renowned actors, including [[Volli Käro]], [[Üllar Saaremäe]], [[Indrek Saar]], [[Ülle Lichtfeldt]], and [[Aarne Üksküla]]. Since 1990, the theatre has organized the biannual event ''[[Baltoscandal]]'', which hosts avant-garde plays and groups from all over the world.
It is situated on the edge of Vallimägi Hill and was erected for the town's 700th birthday. Along with the [[granite]] block it sits on the statue is 7 meters long, 4 meters high and weighs about 7 tons.


On 15 July 2000, a high-end F2/T5 [[tornado]] hit Rakvere, killing one person and injuring one other. The tornado damaged 110 homes and destroyed 120 garage buildings. One car was seen airborne.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eswd.eu/cgi-bin/eswd.cgi|title = European Severe Weather Database}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vana.loodusajakiri.ee/eesti_loodus/EL/vanaweb/0009/tornaado.html|title = Tornaado läks läbi Rakvere}}</ref>
The statue is made out of [[bronze]]. The names of the people who supported its financing are engraved in the granite block.


== Transportation ==
== Transport ==
The [[Estonian national road 5|T5 highway to Pärnu]] starts near Rakvere, and the [[Estonian national road 1|T1 Tallinn-Narva highway]], part of [[European route E20]], is just to the north of the town. Narva is 114 km to the east of Rakvere. The [[Tallinn–Narva railway|Tallinn-Narva railway]] passes the city, and passenger [[Rail transport|trains]] between Tallinn and Narva, operated by Elron, stop at Rakvere several times a day. Daily [[bus|busses]] connect Rakvere to Tallinn and Narva, too, as well as to many small towns throughout Lääne-Virumaa, including [[Tapa, Estonia|Tapa]] and [[Kunda, Estonia|Kunda]].
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Promenaad.jpg|thumb|Rakvere's promenade at night in the winter]] -->
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:Keskv2ljak.jpg|thumb|Rakvere's central square in winter at night with the christmas tree]] -->
=== Railroad ===
Passenger trains used to stop in Rakvere, but due to lack of passengers the trains no longer stopped there. For a few years only cargo trains stopped there and the [[train station|railroad station]] was abandoned. But in recent years the ''Edelaraudtee'' passanger trains have once again started taking passengers to and from Rakvere. Now the town is planning to renovate the train station. There have been rumors that an [[railway electrification system|electric railway]] line is going to be extended to Rakvere.


== External link ==
== Geography ==
Rakvere has a total area of 10.75 square kilometres. There are 19 districts, or neighborhoods, in Rakvere: Kondivalu, Kukeküla, Kurikaküla, Lennuvälja, Lepiku, Lilleküla, Linnuriik, Moonaküla, Mõisavälja, Paemurru, Palermo, Roodevälja, Seminari, Südalinn, Taaravainu, Tammiku, Vallimäe, Vanalinn, and Õpetaja Heinamaa. Although about 15% of Rakvere is covered by forests and parks, it is Estonia's third most densely populated urban area.
*[http://www.rakvere.ee:8080/rakvere/english/1018536046/1018536090 Rakvere] - Official website


== Demographics ==
{{Template:Lääne-Virumaa}}
{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
|+Ethnic composition 1922-2021
! rowspan="2" |Ethnicity
! colspan="2" |[[1922 Estonian census|1922]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.ester.ee/record=b1294488*est |title=1922 a. üldrahvalugemise andmed. Vihk IV, Viru maakond (tabelid) |date= |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1924 |editor-last= |series=Eesti riikline statistika |location=Tallinn |pages=12-13 |language=et, fr |hdl=10062/4451}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[1934 Estonian census|1934]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://hdl.handle.net/10062/4439 |title=Rahvastiku koostis ja korteriolud. 1.III 1934 rahvaloenduse andmed. Vihk II |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1935 |location=Tallinn |pages=47-53 |language=et}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1941<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.digar.ee/id/nlib-digar:117429 |title=Eesti Statistika : kuukiri 1942-03/04 |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1942 |editor-last= |location=Tallinn |pages=66-67 |language=de, et}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[Soviet Census (1959)|1959]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Katus |first=Kalev |url=https://www.ester.ee/record=b1055792*est |title=Rahvastiku ühtlusarvutatud sündmus- ja loendusstatistika: Lääne-Virumaa 1965-1990 |last2=Puur |first2=Allan |last3=Põldma |first3=Asta |last4=Sakkeus |first4=Luule |date= |publisher=Eesti Kõrgkoolidevaheline Demouuringute Keskus |others= |year=1996 |isbn=9985-820-21-5 |series=Sari C |location=Tallinn |pages=31-32 |language=et, en}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[Soviet Census (1970)|1970]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.ester.ee/record=b1655518*est |title=Население районов, городов и поселков городского типа Эстонской ССР : по данным Всесоюзной переписи населения на 15 января 1970 года |publisher=Eesti NSV Statistika Keskvalitsus |year=1972 |location=Tallinn |page=78 |language=ru}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[Soviet Census (1979)|1979]]<ref name=":02">{{Cite book |url=http://www.digar.ee/id/nlib-digar:375699 |title=Eesti Vabariigi maakondade, linnade ja alevite rahvastik: 1989. a. rahvaloenduse andmed: statistikakogumik. 1. osa: Rahvaarv rahvuse, perekonnaseisu, hariduse ja elatusallikate järgi |date=1990 |publisher=Statistikaamet |isbn=978-9949-71-932-7 |editor-last= |location=Tallinn |pages=30, 35 |language=et}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[Soviet Census (1989)|1989]]<ref name=":02" />
! colspan="2" |[[2000 Estonia Census|2000]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=RL222: RAHVASTIK ELUKOHA JA RAHVUSE JÄRGI |url=https://andmed.stat.ee:443/pxweb/et/stat/stat__rahvaloendus__rel2000__rahvus-emakeel-veerkeelte-oskus/RL222.px/ |access-date= |website=Estonian Statistical Database |language=et}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[2011 Estonian census|2011]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=RL0429: RAHVASTIK RAHVUSE, SOO, VANUSERÜHMA JA ELUKOHA JÄRGI, 31. DETSEMBER 2011 |url=https://andmed.stat.ee:443/pxweb/et/stat/stat__rahvaloendus__rel2011__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel-ja-keelteoskus-murded/RL0429.px/ |access-date= |website=Estonian Statistical Database |language=et}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[2021 Estonian census|2021]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=RL21429: RAHVASTIK RAHVUSE, SOO, VANUSERÜHMA JA ELUKOHA (HALDUSÜKSUS) JÄRGI, 31. DETSEMBER 2021 |url=https://andmed.stat.ee:443/pxweb/et/stat/stat__rahvaloendus__rel2021__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel/RL21429.px/ |access-date= |website=Estonian Statistical Database |language=et}}</ref>
|-
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
|-
|[[Estonians]]
|6885
|89.9
|9108
|90.8
|8099
|95.7
|11168
|78.1
|13292
|74.3
|14550
|76.5
|14902
|75.2
|14496
|84.8
|13445
|88.1
|13386
|88.4
|-
|[[Russians]]
|304
|3.97
|355
|3.54
|163
|1.93
| -
| -
|3441
|19.2
|3326
|17.5
|3545
|17.9
|1845
|10.8
|1371
|8.98
|1155
|7.63
|-
|[[Ukrainians]]
| -
| -
|0
|0.00
| -
| -
| -
| -
|410
|2.29
|355
|1.87
|507
|2.56
|218
|1.28
|150
|0.98
|193
|1.27
|-
|[[Belarusians]]
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
|106
|0.59
|108
|0.57
|171
|0.86
|69
|0.40
|46
|0.30
|36
|0.24
|-
|[[Finns]]
| -
| -
|22
|0.22
|5
|0.06
| -
| -
|394
|2.20
|406
|2.14
|396
|2.00
|277
|1.62
|137
|0.90
|121
|0.80
|-
|[[Jews]]
| 101
| 1.32
|100
|1.00
|0
|0.00
| -
| -
| 44
| 0.25
|24
|0.13
|23
|0.12
|11
|0.06
|5
|0.03
|0
|0.00
|-
|[[Latvians]]
| -
| -
|21
|0.21
|8
|0.09
| -
| -
| 26
| 0.15
|26
|0.14
|20
|0.10
|5
|0.03
|6
|0.04
|14
|0.09
|-
|[[Germans]]
|256
|3.34
|281
|2.80
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
|60
|0.32
|88
|0.44
|9
|0.05
|9
|0.06
|8
|0.05
|-
|[[Tatars]]
| -
| -
|9
|0.09
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
|50
|0.26
|27
|0.14
|21
|0.12
|15
|0.10
|8
|0.05
|-
|[[Polish people|Poles]]
| -
| -
|13
|0.13
|17
|0.20
| -
| -
| -
| -
|28
|0.15
|22
|0.11
|15
|0.09
|14
|0.09
|12
|0.08
|-
|[[Lithuanians]]
| -
| -
|2
|0.02
|2
|0.02
| -
| -
| 19
| 0.11
|20
|0.11
|24
|0.12
|9
|0.05
|6
|0.04
|7
|0.05
|-
|unknown
| 0
| 0.00
|42
|0.42
|5
|0.06
|0
|0.00
| 0
| 0.00
|0
|0.00
|0
|0.00
|50
|0.29
|5
|0.03
|81
|0.53
|-
|other
|113
|1.48
|74
|0.74
|167
|1.97
|3128
|21.9
|159
|0.89
|58
|0.31
|97
|0.49
|72
|0.42
|55
|0.36
|119
|0.79
|-
!Total
!7659
!100
!10027
!100
!8466
!100
!14296
!100
!17891
!100
!19011
!100
!19822
!100
!17097
!100
!15264
!100
!15141
!99.9
|}
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Rakvere City (2021) [https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2021__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__usk/RL21452]
|label1 = Unaffiliated
|value1 = 83.2
|color1 = White
|label2 = Lutheran
|value2 = 8.5
|color2 = DodgerBlue
|label3 = Orthodox
|value3 = 4.0
|color3 = Pink
|label4 = Others Christians
|value4 = 1.8
|color4 = LightBlue
|label5 = Others Religions or Unknown
|value5 = 2.5
|color5 = Yellow
|label6 =
|value6 =
|color6 =
}}


==Main landmarks==
[[Category:Populated places in Estonia]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Estonia]]


[[ca:Rakvere]]
=== Rakvere Castle ===
The oldest known archeological traces of the ancient fortress on Rakvere's ''Vallimägi'' hill date from the 5th and 6th centuries. Throughout the ages, Rakvere Castle has belonged to Danish kings, knight-monks of the [[Livonian Order]], and the Swedish and Polish states. During the Polish-Swedish War of 1600-1629, the castle was partly blown up by Polish troops in 1605, and, later, by the Swedish army. The castle has lain in ruins ever since.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RAKVERE CASTLE'S HISTORY|url=https://www.rakverelinnus.ee/en/node/79}}</ref>
[[de:Rakvere]]

[[et:Rakvere]]
Today, permanent exhibitions and seasonal programs and activities in the castle explain everyday life in the 16th century. Visitors can dress as medieval knights and walk through the castle's rooms, including a torture chamber, an alchemist's workshop, and a room of historical artifacts. --><ref>{{Cite web|title=Virumaa Museums - Rakvere Castle|url=https://www.virumaamuuseumid.ee/en/rakvere-castle/}}</ref>
[[lv:Rakvere]]

[[nl:Rakvere]]
===Tarvas Statue===
[[ro:Rakvere]]
[[File:Rakverke town(2).jpg|thumb|Tarvas statue]]
[[fi:Rakvere]]
Rakvere's Tarvas [[statue]] of an [[aurochs]], by Estonian sculptor [[Tauno Kangro]], is considered the largest animal statue in the [[Baltic region]]. Erected in 2002 for Rakvere's 700th birthday, Tarvas stands on the edge of ''Vallimägi'', a symbol of the town's motto "Full of Strength" (''Väge täis''). Along with its [[granite]] pedestal, the [[bronze]] statue is seven meters long and four meters high and weighs about seven tons. The individuals and companies who financed it are engraved in the granite block.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tarvas sculpture|url=https://www.visitestonia.com/en/tarvas-sculpture}}</ref>
[[sv:Rakvere]]

=== Rakvere Central Square ===
In 2004, Rakvere's central, or town, square got a new, modern look with architects' O. Kadariku, M. Tüüri, and V. Tomiste's five yellow domes (or umbrellas or chanterelle mushrooms or medieval turret tops) hanging from white semi-arches. A sculpture of ''Young man on bicycle listening to music'' is dedicated to Estonian composer [[Arvo Pärt]], an honorary citizen of Rakvere.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Market square Rakvere|url=https://visitrakvere.com/rakvere/rakvere-keskvaljak/}}</ref> Surrounding the square is Rakvere's central business district, including a historical market building and the SEB Pank building, one of the most representative bank buildings in Estonia designed by Ferdinand Gustav Adoff.

===Rakvere Trinity Church===
Trinity Church, Rakvere's [[Lutheran]] church, dates from the 15th century and was designed to also be a stronghold in times of trouble. It was severely damaged during the [[Livonian War]], and renovations started in 1684. During the [[Great Northern War]], the church was damaged by fire twice. Renovations were made from 1727 to 1730 and again during the middle of the 19th century, when the church received its present look, dominated by a [[Gothic Revival architecture|neo-Gothic]] spire. The interior displays fine craftsmanship, including a [[Baroque]] pulpit from 1690 made by [[Christian Ackermann]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Viirand| first = Tiiu| title = Estonia. Cultural Tourism | publisher = Kunst Publishers | date = 2004 | page = 129| isbn = 9949-407-18-4 }}</ref>

=== Pikk Street ===
Pikk Street is the oldest street in Rakvere. In the 19th century and first half of the 20th century, Pikk Street was the town's main shopping street with banks, shops, restaurants, and guesthouses. In 2020, as part of the EV100 "Good Public Space" program, approximately 700 meters of Pikk Street were reconstructed, making it a pedestrian-friendly, historical thoroughfare reminiscent of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The so-called Carrot Stairs ({{langx|et|Porganditrepp}}) with wider steps at the top and little ones at the bottom lead up to ''Vallimägi'' and Rakvere Castle ,<ref>{{cite web |title=Rakvere Stairs |url=https://www.kavakava.ee/en/project/rakvere-staircase/ |website=Kavakava |publisher=Kavakava Architects |access-date=October 2, 2024 |location=Tallinn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Historic Pikk street|url=https://rakvere.kovtp.ee/historic-pikk-street}}</ref>

==Twin towns - sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Estonia}}
Rakvere is twinned with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Sõpruslinnad|url=http://rakvere.kovtp.ee/rakvere-sopruslinnad|website=rakvere.kovtp.ee|publisher=Rakvere linn|language=et|access-date=7 November 2019}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Cēsis Municipality|Cēsis]], Latvia
*[[Lappeenranta]], Finland
*[[Lapua]], Finland
*[[Lütjenburg]], Germany
*[[Sigtuna Municipality|Sigtuna]], Sweden
*[[Panevėžys]], Lithuania
*[[Senaki]], Georgia
*[[Szolnok]], Hungary
*[[Vyshhorod]], Ukraine
{{div col end}}

== Sports ==

=== Sports clubs ===
* [[Basketball]]
** [[BC Rakvere Tarvas|Rakvere Tarvas]] – a men's basketball team, Estonian second best basketball club in season 2009/2010. In season 2019/2020 they were 4th. The club takes part in [[Latvian-Estonian Basketball League|Paf Estonian Latvian basketball league]]. This is the best basketball league in Estonia. The home ground is [[Rakvere Sports Hall|Kastani Arena]].
* [[Volleyball]]
** [[Rakvere VK]] – a men's volleyball team, multiple [[Estonian Volleyball Championships|Estonian Champion]] and Cup winner. Now the club takes part in [[Esiliiga (volleyball)|Esiliiga]]. This is second best volleyball league in Estonia.
* [[Association football|Football]]
** [[Rakvere JK Tarvas]] – an amateur football club established in 2004. The club plays in Estonian [[II liiga]] (fourth tier in Estonian football). In 2016 they played in Estonian premium league. The home ground is [[Rakvere linnastaadion]].

=== Sports events ===
* Amateur Sumo World Championships 2008
* [[2012 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship|U19 EURO2012]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Rakvere, centrum.jpg|Rakvere town centre
File:HPIM2189 Rakvere teatri linnapoolne vaade.jpg|Rakvere Theatre
File:Rakvere kirik..jpg|Rakvere Trinity Church
File:Rakvere Karmeli koguduse kirik.jpg|Rakvere Baptist Church
File:Tallinna-25 Rakvere.jpg|Hotel Wesenberg
File:Rakvere mõisa park.jpg|Rakvere manor park
File:Rakvere-1.JPG|Rakvere main square
File:Rakvere, Lääne-Viru County, Estonia - panoramio (12).jpg|Buildings on Pikk Street
File:Tallinna-3 Rakvere.jpg|Estonian Police Museum
File:Rakvere Estonia Street with church.JPG|Pikk Street in Rakvere
File:Rakvere mõisa peahoone ja teatrihoone.jpg|Rakvere Manorhouse and Theatre
File:Viru maakohus.jpg|Rakvere County Courthouse
File:Kastani Arena.jpg|Rakvere Sports Hall
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Rakvere}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [https://www.rakvere.ee/ Rakvere government]
* [https://www.visitrakvere.com/ Rakvere tourism]
* [http://www.k55.ee/rakvere/ Night photos of Rakvere in winter by Kaiko Lipsmäe] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720125103/http://www.k55.ee/rakvere/ |date=20 July 2011 }}
* [http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus_lan_97_uezd_eng.php?reg=1735 Population of Rakvere by mother tongue in 1897]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100824220237/http://remains.se/picturem.php?ObjectID=163&Browse=AREA Rakvere stronghold] picture gallery at Remains.se

{{Cities_of Estonia}}
{{Lääne-Virumaa}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Rakvere| ]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 3rd century]]
[[Category:Populated places in Lääne-Viru County]]
[[Category:Castles of the Livonian Order]]
[[Category:Kreis Wierland]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Estonia]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Estonia]]

Latest revision as of 09:24, 24 November 2024

Rakvere
Town
View over Rakvere
View over Rakvere
Flag of Rakvere
Flag
Coat of arms of Rakvere
Coat of arms
Motto: 
Väge täis (Full of might)
Rakvere is located in Estonia
Rakvere
Rakvere
Location in Estonia
Rakvere is located in Baltic Sea
Rakvere
Rakvere
Rakvere (Baltic Sea)
Coordinates: 59°21′N 26°21′E / 59.350°N 26.350°E / 59.350; 26.350
CountryEstonia
CountyLääne-Viru County
Government
 • MayorTriin Varek (Isamaa)
Area
 • Total
10.75 km2 (4.15 sq mi)
Elevation
82 m (269 ft)
Population
 (2024)
 • Total
15,516
 • Rank8th
 • Density1,400/km2 (3,700/sq mi)
Ethnicity
 • Estonians88%
 • Russians9%
 • other3%
Time zoneUTC+2 (EET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+3 (EEST)
Postal code
44306
Area code(+372) 032
ISO 3166 codeEE-663
Vehicle registrationR
Websitewww.rakvere.ee

Rakvere is the administrative centre, or county seat, of Lääne-Viru County in northern Estonia, about 100 km southeast of Tallinn and 20 km south of the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea. From the 13th century until the early 20th century, Rakvere was more widely known by its historical German name Wesenberg(h).

History

[edit]

The earliest signs of a human settlement, dating back to the 3rd, 4th, and 5th centuries AD, have been found on the present-day theatre hill. Probably to protect this settlement, a wooden stronghold was built on another hill (Vallimägi) nearby.

After the Kingdom of Denmark conquered northern Estonia, its new rulers started to erect stone buildings in 1220. A settlement called Tarvanpea is first mentioned in 1226 in the Chronicle of Henry of Livonia. The Danish stronghold is first recorded as Wesenbergh (in Middle Low German) in 1252. The Battle of Wesenberg, with the Danish and Teutonic knights and local militia on one side and the forces of Novgorod and Pskov on the other, occurred near Rakvere on 18 February 1268. Rakvere was granted Lübeck rights on 12 June 1302. After the Danish king sold Danish Estonia to the Livonian Order in 1346, a large castle was built on top of the previous stronghold. The Ordensburg was protected by towers and courtyards.

Rakvere Castle

The building of a Franciscan monastery started in 1508. In 1558, Muscovite troops captured Rakvere. In 1574, Sweden heavily damaged the town after the disastrous Siege of Wesenberg.[1] In 1581, Sweden captured Rakvere[2] and passed it to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1602; Polish troops destroyed the castle in 1605. After Rakvere returned to Swedish control that same year, a mansion was built on the ruins of the monastery. In 1703, during the Great Northern War, Rakvere was burned down. With the Capitulation of Estonia and Livonia in 1710 and the subsequent Treaty of Nystad in 1721, the town became part of the Russian Empire. It was a part of Russia until 1918 when, following World War I, Estonia became an independent nation.

During Estonia's first period of independence from 1918 to 1940, many prominent buildings were built in Rakvere, including the market building, the old bank building (today, SEB Pank), and Rakvere Secondary School (since 2022, Rakvere Freedom School). Local newspapers emerged, including the county paper Virumaa Teataja in 1925. The idea of a professional theatre in Rakvere started to take shape as well. In 1930, during the administration of Mayor Heinrich Aviksoo, the town stadium opened.

Rakvere is reportedly Europe's smallest town with its own professional theatre.[3] The roots of Rakvere Theatre date back to 1882. Construction of the theatre was completed at the end of the 1930s, and its festive opening was on 24 February 1940. The theatre survived World War II and, today, presents 10 new productions each season. Rakvere Theatre has given Estonia many renowned actors, including Volli Käro, Üllar Saaremäe, Indrek Saar, Ülle Lichtfeldt, and Aarne Üksküla. Since 1990, the theatre has organized the biannual event Baltoscandal, which hosts avant-garde plays and groups from all over the world.

On 15 July 2000, a high-end F2/T5 tornado hit Rakvere, killing one person and injuring one other. The tornado damaged 110 homes and destroyed 120 garage buildings. One car was seen airborne.[4][5]

Transport

[edit]

The T5 highway to Pärnu starts near Rakvere, and the T1 Tallinn-Narva highway, part of European route E20, is just to the north of the town. Narva is 114 km to the east of Rakvere. The Tallinn-Narva railway passes the city, and passenger trains between Tallinn and Narva, operated by Elron, stop at Rakvere several times a day. Daily busses connect Rakvere to Tallinn and Narva, too, as well as to many small towns throughout Lääne-Virumaa, including Tapa and Kunda.

Geography

[edit]

Rakvere has a total area of 10.75 square kilometres. There are 19 districts, or neighborhoods, in Rakvere: Kondivalu, Kukeküla, Kurikaküla, Lennuvälja, Lepiku, Lilleküla, Linnuriik, Moonaküla, Mõisavälja, Paemurru, Palermo, Roodevälja, Seminari, Südalinn, Taaravainu, Tammiku, Vallimäe, Vanalinn, and Õpetaja Heinamaa. Although about 15% of Rakvere is covered by forests and parks, it is Estonia's third most densely populated urban area.

Demographics

[edit]
Ethnic composition 1922-2021
Ethnicity 1922[6] 1934[7] 1941[8] 1959[9] 1970[10] 1979[11] 1989[11] 2000[12] 2011[13] 2021[14]
amount % amount % amount % amount % amount % amount % amount % amount % amount % amount %
Estonians 6885 89.9 9108 90.8 8099 95.7 11168 78.1 13292 74.3 14550 76.5 14902 75.2 14496 84.8 13445 88.1 13386 88.4
Russians 304 3.97 355 3.54 163 1.93 - - 3441 19.2 3326 17.5 3545 17.9 1845 10.8 1371 8.98 1155 7.63
Ukrainians - - 0 0.00 - - - - 410 2.29 355 1.87 507 2.56 218 1.28 150 0.98 193 1.27
Belarusians - - - - - - - - 106 0.59 108 0.57 171 0.86 69 0.40 46 0.30 36 0.24
Finns - - 22 0.22 5 0.06 - - 394 2.20 406 2.14 396 2.00 277 1.62 137 0.90 121 0.80
Jews 101 1.32 100 1.00 0 0.00 - - 44 0.25 24 0.13 23 0.12 11 0.06 5 0.03 0 0.00
Latvians - - 21 0.21 8 0.09 - - 26 0.15 26 0.14 20 0.10 5 0.03 6 0.04 14 0.09
Germans 256 3.34 281 2.80 - - - - - - 60 0.32 88 0.44 9 0.05 9 0.06 8 0.05
Tatars - - 9 0.09 - - - - - - 50 0.26 27 0.14 21 0.12 15 0.10 8 0.05
Poles - - 13 0.13 17 0.20 - - - - 28 0.15 22 0.11 15 0.09 14 0.09 12 0.08
Lithuanians - - 2 0.02 2 0.02 - - 19 0.11 20 0.11 24 0.12 9 0.05 6 0.04 7 0.05
unknown 0 0.00 42 0.42 5 0.06 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 0 0.00 50 0.29 5 0.03 81 0.53
other 113 1.48 74 0.74 167 1.97 3128 21.9 159 0.89 58 0.31 97 0.49 72 0.42 55 0.36 119 0.79
Total 7659 100 10027 100 8466 100 14296 100 17891 100 19011 100 19822 100 17097 100 15264 100 15141 99.9

Religion in Rakvere City (2021) [1]

  Unaffiliated (83.2%)
  Lutheran (8.5%)
  Orthodox (4.0%)
  Others Christians (1.8%)
  Others Religions or Unknown (2.5%)

Main landmarks

[edit]

Rakvere Castle

[edit]

The oldest known archeological traces of the ancient fortress on Rakvere's Vallimägi hill date from the 5th and 6th centuries. Throughout the ages, Rakvere Castle has belonged to Danish kings, knight-monks of the Livonian Order, and the Swedish and Polish states. During the Polish-Swedish War of 1600-1629, the castle was partly blown up by Polish troops in 1605, and, later, by the Swedish army. The castle has lain in ruins ever since.[15]

Today, permanent exhibitions and seasonal programs and activities in the castle explain everyday life in the 16th century. Visitors can dress as medieval knights and walk through the castle's rooms, including a torture chamber, an alchemist's workshop, and a room of historical artifacts. -->[16]

Tarvas Statue

[edit]
Tarvas statue

Rakvere's Tarvas statue of an aurochs, by Estonian sculptor Tauno Kangro, is considered the largest animal statue in the Baltic region. Erected in 2002 for Rakvere's 700th birthday, Tarvas stands on the edge of Vallimägi, a symbol of the town's motto "Full of Strength" (Väge täis). Along with its granite pedestal, the bronze statue is seven meters long and four meters high and weighs about seven tons. The individuals and companies who financed it are engraved in the granite block.[17]

Rakvere Central Square

[edit]

In 2004, Rakvere's central, or town, square got a new, modern look with architects' O. Kadariku, M. Tüüri, and V. Tomiste's five yellow domes (or umbrellas or chanterelle mushrooms or medieval turret tops) hanging from white semi-arches. A sculpture of Young man on bicycle listening to music is dedicated to Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, an honorary citizen of Rakvere.[18] Surrounding the square is Rakvere's central business district, including a historical market building and the SEB Pank building, one of the most representative bank buildings in Estonia designed by Ferdinand Gustav Adoff.

Rakvere Trinity Church

[edit]

Trinity Church, Rakvere's Lutheran church, dates from the 15th century and was designed to also be a stronghold in times of trouble. It was severely damaged during the Livonian War, and renovations started in 1684. During the Great Northern War, the church was damaged by fire twice. Renovations were made from 1727 to 1730 and again during the middle of the 19th century, when the church received its present look, dominated by a neo-Gothic spire. The interior displays fine craftsmanship, including a Baroque pulpit from 1690 made by Christian Ackermann.[19]

Pikk Street

[edit]

Pikk Street is the oldest street in Rakvere. In the 19th century and first half of the 20th century, Pikk Street was the town's main shopping street with banks, shops, restaurants, and guesthouses. In 2020, as part of the EV100 "Good Public Space" program, approximately 700 meters of Pikk Street were reconstructed, making it a pedestrian-friendly, historical thoroughfare reminiscent of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The so-called Carrot Stairs (Estonian: Porganditrepp) with wider steps at the top and little ones at the bottom lead up to Vallimägi and Rakvere Castle ,[20][21]

Twin towns - sister cities

[edit]
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Estonia

Rakvere is twinned with:[22]

Sports

[edit]

Sports clubs

[edit]

Sports events

[edit]
[edit]
  • Rakvere town centre
    Rakvere town centre
  • Rakvere Theatre
    Rakvere Theatre
  • Rakvere Trinity Church
    Rakvere Trinity Church
  • Rakvere Baptist Church
    Rakvere Baptist Church
  • Hotel Wesenberg
    Hotel Wesenberg
  • Rakvere manor park
    Rakvere manor park
  • Rakvere main square
    Rakvere main square
  • Buildings on Pikk Street
    Buildings on Pikk Street
  • Estonian Police Museum
    Estonian Police Museum
  • Pikk Street in Rakvere
    Pikk Street in Rakvere
  • Rakvere Manorhouse and Theatre
    Rakvere Manorhouse and Theatre
  • Rakvere County Courthouse
    Rakvere County Courthouse
  • Rakvere Sports Hall
    Rakvere Sports Hall

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Peterson, Gary Dean (2007). Warrior kings of Sweden. The rise of an empire in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. McFarland. pp. 91–92. ISBN 978-0-7864-2873-1.
  2. ^ Black, Jeremy (1996). Warfare. Renaissance to revolution, 1492–1792. Cambridge Illustrated Atlases. Vol. 2. Cambridge University Press. p. 59. ISBN 0-521-47033-1.
  3. ^ Taul, Gregor. "Turism ja linnamaastikud Pihkvas". Sirp. 22 December 2011. Accessed 4 April 2012. (in Estonian)
  4. ^ "European Severe Weather Database".
  5. ^ "Tornaado läks läbi Rakvere".
  6. ^ 1922 a. üldrahvalugemise andmed. Vihk IV, Viru maakond (tabelid). Eesti riikline statistika (in Estonian and French). Tallinn: Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo. 1924. pp. 12–13. hdl:10062/4451.
  7. ^ Rahvastiku koostis ja korteriolud. 1.III 1934 rahvaloenduse andmed. Vihk II (in Estonian). Tallinn: Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo. 1935. pp. 47–53.
  8. ^ Eesti Statistika : kuukiri 1942-03/04 (in German and Estonian). Tallinn: Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo. 1942. pp. 66–67.
  9. ^ Katus, Kalev; Puur, Allan; Põldma, Asta; Sakkeus, Luule (1996). Rahvastiku ühtlusarvutatud sündmus- ja loendusstatistika: Lääne-Virumaa 1965-1990. Sari C (in Estonian and English). Tallinn: Eesti Kõrgkoolidevaheline Demouuringute Keskus. pp. 31–32. ISBN 9985-820-21-5.
  10. ^ Население районов, городов и поселков городского типа Эстонской ССР : по данным Всесоюзной переписи населения на 15 января 1970 года (in Russian). Tallinn: Eesti NSV Statistika Keskvalitsus. 1972. p. 78.
  11. ^ a b Eesti Vabariigi maakondade, linnade ja alevite rahvastik: 1989. a. rahvaloenduse andmed: statistikakogumik. 1. osa: Rahvaarv rahvuse, perekonnaseisu, hariduse ja elatusallikate järgi (in Estonian). Tallinn: Statistikaamet. 1990. pp. 30, 35. ISBN 978-9949-71-932-7.
  12. ^ "RL222: RAHVASTIK ELUKOHA JA RAHVUSE JÄRGI". Estonian Statistical Database (in Estonian).
  13. ^ "RL0429: RAHVASTIK RAHVUSE, SOO, VANUSERÜHMA JA ELUKOHA JÄRGI, 31. DETSEMBER 2011". Estonian Statistical Database (in Estonian).
  14. ^ "RL21429: RAHVASTIK RAHVUSE, SOO, VANUSERÜHMA JA ELUKOHA (HALDUSÜKSUS) JÄRGI, 31. DETSEMBER 2021". Estonian Statistical Database (in Estonian).
  15. ^ "RAKVERE CASTLE'S HISTORY".
  16. ^ "Virumaa Museums - Rakvere Castle".
  17. ^ "Tarvas sculpture".
  18. ^ "Market square Rakvere".
  19. ^ Viirand, Tiiu (2004). Estonia. Cultural Tourism. Kunst Publishers. p. 129. ISBN 9949-407-18-4.
  20. ^ "Rakvere Stairs". Kavakava. Tallinn: Kavakava Architects. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Historic Pikk street".
  22. ^ "Sõpruslinnad". rakvere.kovtp.ee (in Estonian). Rakvere linn. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rakvere.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Rakvere.
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