Tubala: Village History at the Crater’s Edge

If you want to consider the character of your destination when looking for a hotel, Tubala combines a location on the edge of the Kärdla meteorite crater with historical traces, windmills, and local traditions.

Landscape and Village Setting

The old village of Tubala lies on a narrow ridge, bounded to the north and west by swamp forests. The ridge and the two forested sides give the village a clearly defined setting. Tubala is also located on the edge of the Kärdla meteorite crater; the ridge and crater rim are distinct geographical reference points.

The Nuutri jõgi, a river open to the public, rises in the village. Another specific local landmark is Lavendlitalu, the lavender farm in Tubala: it lies on a rocky, sunny slope on the edge of the Kärdla meteorite crater. The farm was established in 2018, when 20,000 lavender plants were planted there. While the ridge describes the old village structure, Lavendlitalu represents a cultivated planting on the sunny slope.

A roadside erratic boulder in Tubala is the sixth-largest erratic boulder on Hiiumaa. This ranking places it among the island’s largest and adds a single, clearly identified stone to the landscape’s features.

History, Windmills, and Tradition

The Allika or Tubala windmill was built in 1886, carefully restored, and designated a protected monument. The Tõnise windmill dates from 1903. The two mills can therefore be distinguished by their dates: the Allika, or Tubala, mill is the earlier one, and the Tõnise mill the later one. Their construction dates are exactly 17 years apart and fall on opposite sides of the turn of the century: 1886 belongs to the 19th century, while 1903 is in the 20th century.

The earliest written mention of Tubala dates from 1564 and uses the spelling Twbbesälke. Boat-shaped stone axes found in the Tubala area point to settlement two to three thousand years ago. The finds thus indicate a much earlier period than the written form of the place name, while the year 1564 provides a specific written reference.

According to tradition, a stake in Tubala held the island of Hiiumaa fast to the seabed. The Tubala stake was driven into the ground on July 28, 2003. Traditionally, donors ceremonially hammer new nails into it every year on July 28. The recurring date connects the specific event with an annual tradition. If you plan your trip around this annual tradition, check the event details in advance so your travel plans match the date.

Another cultural landmark is the Anagama kiln built in Tubala in 2013, which is of great interest to potters. Together with the windmills and the tradition of the stake, it adds a more recent cultural theme to the picture of Tubala.

Discover more destinations: Kärdla, Emmaste, Orjaku, Jõeranna, Kassari Village.

For the broader travel overview: Hiiumaa.