Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Triin Olvet

But the city is mainly a seaside location, so the most tourists come here due to a well-known local beaches and promenades, such as beach Paralepa. However once you come to Haapsalu, you should not miss the local mud baths. The tradition of spas in the city dates back to the early 19th century, when a doctor took a habit of local inhabitants to treat rheumatic problems with mud baths. At this time a new sanatorium grew up here and shortly Haapsalu became a favorite destination of the Russian elite. Most of the spa buildings are situated near the Great Mall.

Haapsalu has 11,600 residents and is located 100km from the capital city of Tallinn. The city is also prepared for the lovers of technical monuments – in the local railway station you can find a railway museum and exhibition of historical vehicles. If you wish to enjoy the quiet atmosphere of the seaside spa resort, Haapsalu is the right choice.

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One of the best preserved and maintained monuments is a fortress Talao (Torre Talao). It offers a great view of miles of beaches and cliffs.

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In the historical center of town you can see a Norman castle from 11th century, monastery, ruins of Judas tower, Palazzo dei Principi from 13th century, Church of San Nicola in Plateis from the 8th century, Palazzetto Normanno from 12th century, a former prison Cimalonga tower from 15th century and many more.

You can see here a lot of exotic plants. For example, cedar. The whole region was named right after this slow-growing tree as Cedar Riviera. The tree grows up to a height of 40 to 60 meters with a trunk diameter of 80-200 centimetres.

If you don’t find something you are looking for right in Scalea, then go to the neighboring national park – Parco Nazionale del Pollino. Here you can see another amount of plants as well as protected animals, caves and several gorges, such as Argentino River Valley, the gap in Lao or Romito cave with the pre-historic graffiti.

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