Muhu Stronghold, Saaremaa / Muhu islands

At the end of the prehistoric time, Muhu was one of the most densely populated area in Estonia. It formed an independant parish. Together with Horele (the neighbour parish on Saaremaa island), it controled the traffic in the "Small Strait".

As there were no natural elevation on the shore, the 8m tall walls were constructed of stone heaps assembled by local people. In 1227, the last battle of Pagan Estonians against crusaders was fought here. Henry's chronicle of Livonia describes that the stronghold was able to resist an army of 20,000 men for 6 days. All the 2,500 men who sought shelter in the stronghold were killed after the battle. Only one escaped because he had imitated the invaders, carrying a bagful of goods from the stronghold.

Probably some goods were hidden during the siege and are now buried around the stronghold.

When the construction of the Small Strait causeway started at the end of the 19th century, the walls of the fortress were dismantled and reused to pave the road. About 1,000m3 of stone have been removed.