Muhu
Baltic Sea island of Estonia
title: "Muhu" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["muhu-parish", "estonian-islands-in-the-baltic", "gulf-of-riga"] description: "Baltic Sea island of Estonia" topic_path: "general/muhu-parish" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhu" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Baltic Sea island of Estonia ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox islands"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Muhu |
| map_image | Eesti Muhu vald 2017.svg |
| native_name_link | Estonian |
| location | Baltic Sea |
| coordinates | |
| archipelago | West Estonian archipelago |
| area_km2 | 198 |
| country | Estonia |
| country_admin_divisions | Saare County |
| population | 1,968 |
| population_as_of | 2010 |
| density_km2 | 8.8 |
| ethnic_groups | Majority Estonians |
| :: |
| name = Muhu | image_name = | image_caption = | image_size = | map_image = Eesti Muhu vald 2017.svg | native_name = | native_name_link = Estonian | nickname = | location = Baltic Sea | coordinates = | archipelago = West Estonian archipelago | total_islands = | major_islands = | area_km2 = 198 | highest_mount = | elevation_m = | country = Estonia | country_admin_divisions_title = | country_admin_divisions = Saare County | population = 1,968 | population_as_of = 2010 | density_km2 = 8.8 | ethnic_groups = Majority Estonians | additional_info =
Muhu (also called Muhu island, Estonian: Muhu) is an island in the West Estonian archipelago of the Baltic Sea. With an area of 198 km2, it is the third-largest island of Estonia after Saaremaa and Hiiumaa. Together with the neighbouring islets of Kesselaid, Viirelaid, Võilaid and Suurlaid, it forms Muhu Parish, a rural municipality in Saare County. The municipality reported a population of 2,118 on 1 October 2025.
History and geography
The German names for the island are Mohn and Moon. Moon is also the Swedish name for the island.
The main settlements are Kuivastu (ferry harbour), Liiva (administrative centre) and Koguva (traditional village ensemble and the Muhu Museum).
The island is divided from mainland Estonia by the Big Strait () and from Saaremaa by the Little Strait (). The Sea of Straits (, 'Moon Sound') lies north of the island. It is linked by ferry to Virtsu on the mainland, and to Saaremaa by a causeway, the Väinatamm. In winter an ice road connects the island to the mainland.
In January 1227, an army of the Livonian Brothers of the Sword with Letts, Germans of Riga and native Livonians (20,000 men commanded by William of Modena) crossed on sea ice from the mainland and attacked the island of Saaremaa to reduce the last holdout of pagan Estonians. The Estonians surrendered on Muhu at a circular stronghold called Mona, the earthworks of which are still preserved near the causeway between the islands. This ended the Estonian Crusade.
The Battle of Karuse or Battle on the Ice was fought on 16 February 1270 between the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Livonian Order on the frozen Baltic Sea between Muhu and the mainland. The Lithuanians achieved a decisive victory. The battle, named after the village of Karuse, was the fifth-largest defeat of the Livonian or Teutonic Orders in the 13th century.
The same waters saw the Battle of Moon Sound in September–October 1917 between Russian and German naval forces.
Transport
Muhu is linked to the mainland by frequent car-and-passenger ferries between Virtsu (mainland) and Kuivastu (Muhu), operated by TS Laevad; schedules and ticketing are provided via the official portal praamid.ee. Muhu is connected to Saaremaa by the Väinatamm causeway, opened in 1896. In very cold winters, Estonia’s Transport Administration may open official ice roads, but openings are infrequent and subject to strict rules; travellers should rely on current official notices. There are direct, regular flights from Tallinn to Kuressaare, Saaremaa. It takes approx one hour by car from Kuressaare airport to Muhu. In 2026 announced also direct flights from Helsinki, Finland.
Culture
Muhu is known for having the only traditional windmills in Estonia that are still operational. Muhu is also known for its traditional knitted stockings.
In Pädaste, an internationally renowned luxury hotel and spa operates in the restored manor house. October 2025 was announced that Pädaste Hotel stops activities and will be closed for public. There is other option for overnight stay: Dharma Resort in Rässa village. Deep forest located luxury resort.
Muhu is the home of Estonia's first wine tourism farm: Luscher & Matiesen Muhu Winehouse.
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Dharma_Resort_-Summer_Photos-_June_2025-190.jpg" caption="Rässa village, Muhu"] ::
Gallery
File:NorthMuhuCoast.JPG|Northern coast of Muhu File:MuhuStronghold.JPG|Muhu Stronghold, site of the native Estonian surrender to crusaders in 1227 File:Muhu stronghold memorial stone2.JPG|Monument in the center of the Muhu Stronghold File:Üügu Cliff.jpg|Üügu cliffs File:Muhu Katariina kirik Liiva külas.JPG|Muhu St. Catherine's Church File:Pädaste mõisa peahoone.JPG|Pädaste Manor File:Muhumuseum.jpg|Tooma farm, part of Muhu museum and birthplace of writer Juhan Smuul File:Rongkäik, Muhu Põhikool.IMG 5102.JPG|Students and teachers in traditional clothing march in a procession in Liiva File:In classroom of village school.JPG|Old village school File:Old village.JPG|In the village of Mõega File:Koguva sadam 2015.jpg|Koguva harbour File:Windmill in Koguva(Estonia).jpg|Windmill in Koguva File:EE Muhu fl.png|Flag of Muhu Parish File:Muhu Valla vapp.svg|Coat of Arms of Muhu Parish
References
References
- (2025-10-01). "Üldinfo (General information)". Muhu vald.
- "Museum".
- (2006). "A Cultural Guide to Estonia: Travel Companion". Varrak.
- (1987). "Treasure Hunting". Perioodika.
- (2018). "The Estonian Straits: Exceptions to the Strait Regime of Innocent or Transit Passage". Brill.
- "History of Muhu Island".
- "Praamid.ee – Homepage". TS Laevad OÜ.
- "About our company". TS Laevad OÜ.
- "Väinatamm".
- (2023-05-22). "Ice roads".
- (9 September 2020). "Gallery: World's Largest Muhu Stocking Exhibition on Display at ERM". ERR.
- (23 January 2024). "Knitters issue call to wear patterned Estonian Mittens on Independence Day". ERR.
::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::