Holvandi: Lakes, Burial Mounds and Historic Place Names

Holvandi offers several specific points of interest to help you plan your trip: archaeological traces, historic place names and distinctive bodies of water. When planning a hotel stay in Holvandi, you can explore these themes as separate areas of interest. The area’s history can be traced through its burial mounds and place-name forms; the lakes each offer their own points of reference in terms of location, water characteristics and usage classification.

Burial Mounds and Place Names

Holvandi has ten burial mounds. During the first and second halves of the first millennium, they served as burial sites. The mounds were already known in the 19th century and were mentioned in the records of the scientist Jaan Jung. Their use as burial sites thus belongs to an early historical period; Jung’s records place their later renown in context. The place names also document different periods: Holne Jann is recorded in 1627, and Holwandi in 1757. These dates relate to the historic place names; by contrast, the burial sites date to the first millennium. In the western part of Holvandi, the farms are locally known by the name Pukastõ. The historic name forms refer to the place, whereas Pukastõ refers to farms in a particular part of Holvandi.

The Landscape of Vanaküla and Holvandi

Vanaküla and Holvandi lie in a landscape of varied terrain, beautiful forests and well-maintained farmland. The Lutsu Stream runs through the area of both places, with springs along several sections. The watercourse and springs are part of the landscape, alongside the forests, farmland and changing terrain. In the landscape of Vanaküla and Holvandi, the stream and springs complement the forested and agricultural areas.

Holvandi Kivijärv and Kiisa järv

Holvandi Kivijärv lies 1.5 kilometres south of Holvandi and is currently listed under Uibujärve küla. It is deep and stratified; its water is consistently soft and dark. Kiisa järv, by contrast, lies in Holvandi itself. Its very brown water is considered remarkable even among the lakes of Europe. The lakes therefore differ both in location and in the description of their water: for Holvandi Kivijärv, the key features are its depth, stratification and dark water; for Kiisa järv, its striking brown colour.

The two bodies of water also have different usage classifications. Holvandi Kivijärv is classified as open for public use. Kiisa järv, also called Holvandi Kiisajärv and Kiisajärv, is classified as not open for public use. Similar elements in their names do not alter these different classifications; when planning, make sure to identify the specific lake. Check local access conditions before visiting.

Getting to Holvandi

A railway line runs through Holvandi. If you plan to travel by train, check the timetable for your travel date in advance to make sure your specific connection works with your plans.

Discover more destinations: Taevaskoja, Eoste.

Back to the main travel overview: Põlva.