Discover Põlva

When travelling to Põlva, you can choose between cultural history and activities on the water as different focal points. In Intsikurmu Forest Park, Estonia’s first song festivals point to the history of the place; the song stage continues to serve as an event venue. In town, there is also a monthly cultural programme, the Jakob Hurt monument and a church with dated furnishings. At Lake Põlva, the beach, light installation and wake park operating in summer shape a different part of what the area offers. This makes it possible to explore Põlva according to your interest in culture or water.

Intsikurmu: song festival history and a trail

The Intsikurmu song stage is a venue for concerts and celebrations. Estonia’s first song festivals were held in Intsikurmu Forest Park in 1855 and 1857. The two festival years are only two years apart and mark early milestones in Estonian song festival history. The 3-kilometre Intsikurmu Heart Trail passes close to the song stage. The historical significance of the forest park, the stage’s continued use and a trail of a specified length are thus distinct aspects of the place.

Cultural programme and places of remembrance

Põlva Cultural Centre offers monthly cultural events for all audiences. The programme includes concerts, performances, exhibitions and film screenings. It therefore covers several types of events, not just music. If you want to plan your trip around a particular concert, performance, exhibition or film screening, check the specific date in advance.

The Jakob Hurt monument in Põlva commemorates Jakob Hurt (1839–1907), an Estonian folklorist, linguist, clergyman and public figure. Hurt was born at Lepa farm in Himmaste. The monument was unveiled on 22 July 1989 to mark his 150th birthday. His biography, birthplace and the exact date of the unveiling give the monument a concrete connection to Estonian cultural history.

The Church of Põlva, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, is one of the oldest churches in historic Võrumaa. Its furnishings include an old altarpiece with the painting “The Last Supper” from 1650, as well as painted pulpit panels from 1647. The two dates are only three years apart. The church thus brings together two details of its historic furnishings that date from close to the same time.

Recreation at Lake Põlva

Lake Põlva and its beach offer opportunities for active recreation and leisure in and around the water. A light installation is located on an island in the lake. The lighting may be seasonal or operate at specific times; when it is on, 150 lanterns in different colours glow after dark, their lights reflected in the water. The lighting effect is therefore dependent on darkness.

Põlva’s wake park operates at the lake in summer and offers activities for beginners and advanced riders alike. If the lighting or wake park determines the timing of your visit, check in advance whether the installation will be lit and the wake park will be operating.

An outdoor meeting place

Põlva’s central square serves as an open-air meeting place. Its play and leisure facilities include a sandbox, a small slide, table tennis, swings and climbing blocks. A traditional market is also associated with the square. Meeting, play and recreation take centre stage here, unlike at the historic places of remembrance or the event venues.

When looking for a hotel in Põlva, you can use the kind of stay you want as a guide: cultural history, an event date, the church and monument, or recreation by the lake. These focal points can help you choose Põlva as a destination based on your interests.

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