Rohuneeme Explained

Rohuneeme
Settlement Type:Village
Pushpin Map:Estonia
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Estonia
Coordinates:59.5617°N 24.8003°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Estonia
Subdivision Type1:County
Subdivision Name1: Harju County
Subdivision Type2:Municipality
Subdivision Name2: Viimsi Parish
Established Title:First mentioned
Established Date:1375
Population Total:440
Population As Of:2011 Census

Rohuneeme is a village in Viimsi Parish, Harju County in northern Estonia.[1] It is located about 14km (09miles) northeast of the centre of Tallinn, situated on the northern end of the Viimsi Peninsula. As of the 2011 census, the settlement's population was 440.[2]

The northernmost cape of the peninsula is named Rohuneem (literally: 'grass cape').

The island of Aegna, which administratively belongs to Tallinn, is located about 1.5 km northwest of Rohuneeme. There are also two small islets Kräsuli and Kumbli located in the straits between, which belong to Rohuneeme.

Rohuneeme was first mentioned in 1375 as oppidum Longenes. The narrow strait between Kräsuli and Aegna was known as Wulfs Sund. It has been known as a point for pirates to ambush the Novgorodian merchant ships which brought valuable goods to Tallinn. According to one hypothesis, the strait could have been the location of the battle at Iron Gate in 1032, mentioned in Russian chronicles. In battle, which though is usually located to northern Russia, Novgorodians led by Ulf Ragvaldsson suffered heavy loss.[3]

In the Middle Ages Rohuneeme was settled by Coastal Swedes. During the Soviet times a missile base was located on the southern side of the village.

There is a harbour, store and a cemetery with chapel located in the village.

The second president of Estonia, Lennart Meri, lived on the cape of Rohuneeme.

Notes and References

  1. (retrieved 27 July 2021)
  2. Web site: Population by place of residence (settlement), sex and age. Statistics Estonia. 31 May 2013. 31 December 2011.
  3. Mäesalu. Ain. Could Kedipiv in East-Slavonic Chronicles be Keava hill fort?. Estonian Journal of Archaeology. 2012. 1. 199. 27 December 2016.