
The first Old Believers came from Russia to southern Estonia (Livland) in the late 17th century. In the 18th century, building of Old Believer wooden worship houses started.
By the early 19th century, the worship houses emerged in the cities Reval (Tallinn) and Dorpat (Tartu) as well as Kasapel (Kasepää), Krasnye Gory (Kallaste), Chernoye (Mustvee), Voronye (Varnja), Mezhi (Piirissaare) and Kolki (Kolkja).

The first written evidence of it is from 1582. The village Big Kolki (Estonian Suur Kolkja) was first mentioned in 1592. The restoration of independence in Estonia in 1991 made the renaissance of the Old Belief possible. The Museums of Old Belivers culture were founded in Kolkja, Varnja and Mustvee. In Prichudye schools, Old Believers´children studied the Church Slavonic language and Biblical law.

The edge of the lake lends itself ideal to vegetable growing, especially onions. Onion beds may be a source of income, but they are much more a way of life. Onions of the Lake Peipsi region will ward off every cold, if eaten all winter long.



















HOW TO GET TO TARTU?


