Pärsama – Discover the Arboretum, History and Culture

Pärsama offers a journey through protected plant life, Orthodox architectural history and traces of human settlement reaching far back into the past. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Pärsama will find a place for days spent on holiday with nature and cultural interests side by side. The village also has a distinctive history: it extends from Pärsama Manor through the development of the Orthodox congregation to an underground burial ground dating back to the first millennium.

A Protected Garden with a Remarkable Diversity of Plants

The 0.6-hectare Pärsama Arboretum in the village of Pärsama is protected. The site is also known as Karmla Garden and was established by Georg Karmla after the First World War. Around 50 to 60 non-native tree species grow in the arboretum. This gives the garden a tangible connection with nature for travellers interested not only in classic landscapes but also in unusual trees and the history of designed green spaces.

Orthodox Church and Congregational History

An important cultural and historical landmark is the Orthodox church in Pärsama. The simple, elongated stone church building was completed in 1909 in honour of Saint Bishop Innokenti. The history of the congregation goes back further still: the Orthodox congregation of Pärsama became independent of the Leisi congregation in 1902. Its first service was held in the rooms of Pärsama Manor House. Those interested in church art, regional religious history and the development of rural communities can include these sites as separate themes in their travel plans.

Older Settlement Traces in the Village

Pärsama also bears traces of the area's prehistory. The Pärsama settlement site covers an area of approximately 160 × 350 metres in the centre of the village. There is also an underground burial ground in the village of Pärsama, 50 metres north of Tänava Farm. It covers approximately 100 × 120 metres and is dated from the second half of the 1st millennium to the beginning of the 2nd millennium. These historical traces make Pärsama particularly interesting for travellers who want to combine historical questions with the exploration of local places during a holiday in Saaremaa.

Pärsama Manor and Getting There

Pärsama Manor was established between 1731 and 1738 on farmland left vacant after the Great Northern War. This historical connection complements the ecclesiastical and archaeological themes with the development of the manor system. When travelling from mainland Estonia to Saaremaa, the most common route is by ferry to Muhu and then across the Väinatamm causeway to Saaremaa. The crossing to Muhu takes approximately 27 minutes. When preparing your trip, you can plan this ferry connection as an integral part of your journey.

Which Accommodation Suits Your Travel Plans?

For days focused on botany, the arboretum takes centre stage, while the Orthodox church, manor and older settlement traces offer different points of focus. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore first consider which themes should shape your trip and how much space you want to leave for nature or history.

If you would like to expand your selection of destinations, you can also explore Linnuse, Meiuste, Leisi, Murika, Mujaste, Õeste, Karja and Oitme.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Leisi.