35 facts about West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve (1/5)

The Western Estonia Biosphere Reserve (BR) is Estonia’s only UNESCO biosphere reserve. It was established in 1990 with the aim of protecting a unique natural environment and promoting sustainable development. The reserve is part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. Since 1990, the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve has been part of the UNESCO MAB network and includes the largest islands – Saaremaa, Hiiumaa, Muhu, Vormsi, and Ruhnu. The total area of the reserve is approximately 1.5 million hectares.

Facts about Muhu

1. The island of Muhu began emerging from the sea 8,000 years ago. Today’s Muhu is a relatively low-lying plain (with a maximum elevation of 21.5 m above sea level) situated on a limestone base, often referred to as Estonia’s largest rocky drumlin. The formation of Muhu Island began 440 million years ago as a result of coral reef uplift. The first people settled in Muhu around 2,500 BCE.

2. In 1227, the final act of Estonia's ancient fight for freedom, as chronicled in the Chronicle of Henry of Livonia, took place at and near the Muhu stronghold.

3. On October 1st, 1990, Muhu was the first in Estonia to regain municipal (parish) status. Therefore, Muhu Parish and the biosphere programme area are the same age.

   During the era of the Republic of Estonia, Muhu was divided between two parishes until 1939, when it became a single parish. With the arrival of Soviet rule, the parish was divided in 1945 into four village councils (Hellamaa, Liiva, Piiri, and Põitse). In 1950, Muhu Parish was abolished, and by 1954, only two village councils remained — Hellamaa and Piiri — which were merged in 1960 into the Muhu village council with its center in Liiva.

4. Muhu is well known for its colorful traditional folk costumes. The yellow Muhu siilik (a type of skirt) dates back to World War I. The fabric was dyed using picric acid, an explosive substance obtained from naval mines, introduced after the sinking of the Russian Empire’s armored battleship Slava during the Battle of Moon Sound on October 17, 1917. Slava sank in the Suur Strait near Papirahu, slightly on the Muhu side. The crew was evacuated, and the ship was detonated. It reportedly burned for several days, but didn’t sink completely—parts of the wreck remained visible in shallow water. Even today, some farms in Muhu still have items salvaged from the Slava.

5. On July 26, 2025, Muhu will host the Karjamaa Decathlon for the 9th time — an experimental, delightfully extreme, and rustic interpretation of the traditional athletics decathlon. The competition includes the following events: 60 m log run, standing long jump, stone fence rock throw, herdboy-style high jump, 300 m pasture terrain run, 60 m juniper hurdle race, ash wood disc throw, pole vault with a club, staff throw, and a 1000 m run into the sea.

6. In 1996, fishermen from Muhu caught an Atlantic sturgeon near the Seanina peninsula. The fish was almost 3 meters long and weighed 136 kilograms. Named Maria, it is known to be the largest fish ever caught in Estonian waters.

7. The traditional shipbuilding tradition of the Muhu people's sailboat 'uisk' has lasted for approximately a thousand years. In 2013, a uisk-type sailboat named Moonland was launched, allowing sailing along historical routes.

   
   

   Find out more about: Muhu vald, VisitSaaremaa

   
   

   Event picture by Kalmer Saar Photography

   Event video by Karjamaa 10

   
   

Stay tuned for facts about all the other islands!

Facts collected by West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve Activity Centres:

TalTech Kuressaare kolledz, Hiiumaa Arenduskeskus