Peipsi Spiritual NEW!!
Spiritual Weekends
In the Baltic States representatives of various religions have lived next to each other for centuries. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania exhibit a very diverse religious landscape. Here you can see Lutheran and Orthodox cathedrals, Roman Catholic church, Old Believers’ and Baptist’s prayer houses standing on neighbouring streets just a stone throw from each other.
For those interested in spiritual side of life, religious traditions and rituals we’ve designed short weekend itineraries to the Baltic regions, where you can see the most significant shrines and the largest number of churches of different denominations. You can enjoy those routes during your short weekend trips or integrate them easily into your larger trip plan with other summer itineraries from Baltics Undiscovered.
Peipsi Spiritual – Old Believers and Onion Route
Tartu – Onion Route – Piirisaar Island
Peipsiveere Nature Reserve
South Estonia
Best timing - August- September
Estonia is one of the most secular countries in Europe – only about 18% of Estonians believe in God. The Estonian Evangelical Lutheran church used to be the majority church, but today the Orthodox church has overtaken Lutheranism as the largest Christian denomination.
The Old Believers, or starovéry, are Eastern Orthodox Christians who resisted the liturgical reforms introduced by Patriarch Nikon of Moscow between 1652 and 1666. Today, Estonia has approximately 15,000 Old Believers by birth, with 11 registered parishes. Old Believers primarily live in villages along Lake Peipsi, including Mustvee, Varnja, Kolkja, Omedu, Nina, and on Piirissaar Island.
The “Onion Route” connects these villages, offering a glimpse into Old Believers’ centuries-old traditions and lifestyle.
Peipsi Spiritual route (also known as Tartu – Old Believers and Onion Route) invites you to learn the story of Estonian Old Believers on the shores of Europe’s 5-th largest lake - lake Peipus and in the villages along the Onion Route. Travelling along this itinerary you will also visit Lake Peipus’ largest island Piirisaar and Estonia’s 2-nd largest city Tartu, enjoy magnificent untouched nature of Peipsiveere Nature Reserve and taste local fish – and onion delicacies.
Immerse yourself in the spiritual world of Estonia together with Baltics Undiscovered!
Starting point: Tartu
Duration: 3 days
Transportation: car/minivan
Goes well with: Baltic Lake Route (summer), Golden Weekend in South Estonia (September)