Lodja: Monuments, Capercaillie Habitat and Katku

Two themes take centre stage in Lodja: the history of individual buildings and monuments, and the protection of the capercaillie. The “Tööline” sculpture and the post station point to different historical periods; the permanent Lodja capercaillie habitat, meanwhile, has an ecological role linked to several populations. The “Katku lõkkekoht” campfire site is another specific local landmark, situated on the edge of protected Katkusoo. These themes offer different ways to shape your trip to Lodja.

Lodja’s history: sculpture, manor and post station

The “Tööline” sculpture in the village of Lodja was classified as a historical monument by a decree dated 29 July 2003. The sculpture dates from the 1950s. The classification date and the sculpture’s date therefore belong to different periods, each providing its own historical reference point.

The “Lodja karjamõis” manor was established in 1786, belonged to the Voltaveti Manor and existed until the beginning of the 20th century. Its history can therefore be placed in context both by its exact year of establishment and by its association with another manor. The Lodja post station represents another precisely datable part of the area’s architectural history.

The Lodja post station complex is protected as a monument. The main building is considered Estonia’s first stone post station built to a standard design; it was completed on 17 September 1800. Two aspects should be distinguished: the protection status applies to the complex, while the classification as a stone post station built to a standard design applies to the main building.

Capercaillie and protected landscape

The permanent Lodja capercaillie habitat comprises two lek sites: Lodja 1, with EELIS database ID 1414341768, and Lodja 2, with ID 339179517. The habitat is considered an important stepping-stone biotope between the capercaillie populations of Kikepera-Soomaa and Luitemaa and the population in North Livonia. This ecological classification is based on monitoring and population data from 2013 to 2022. Alongside the two named lek sites, the regional links between populations are therefore also central.

The “Katku lõkkekoht” campfire site is located on the edge of protected Katkusoo, also known as Rüütli raba. Its connection to the protected area gives this site a different focus on nature from the capercaillie habitat: here, its location on the edge of the protected bog is key, while the habitat’s role between the populations mentioned above is key there.

Getting to the Katku campfire site

To get to the campfire site, take the Uulu–Valga road and turn off before Lodja Inn. Follow the signs to Sigaste and the Raja farm’s mini-zoo; from there, signs will direct you to the Katku campfire site. As directions may change, check the current signage before setting off.

The area’s history offers specific points in time; the capercaillie habitat provides a different, ecological perspective on Lodja.

Discover more destinations: Laiksaare, Kilingi-Nõmme, Marina, Tõlla

For the wider travel overview: Saarde.