Aegviidu

Aegviidu is a borough (Estonian: alev) in Anija Parish, Harju County.

Aegviidu
Borough
Aegviidu railway station
Aegviidu
Location in Estonia
Coordinates: 59°17′11″N 25°36′36″E
Country Estonia
County Harju County
Area
 • Total11.97 km2 (4.62 sq mi)
Population
 (1.01.2017[1])
 • Total706
 • Density59/km2 (150/sq mi)

The borough has a population of 706 (as of 1 January 2017) and covers an area of 11.97 km2 (5 sq mi). The population density is 58.98/km2 (152.76/sq mi).[1]

Aegviidu is located in the crossing of the Tallinn–Saint Petersburg railway and Piibe Road (the historical Tallinn–Tartu road) in the boggy Kõrvemaa landscape region. The Aegviidu railway station is served by the Elron's Tallinn–Tartu and Tallinn–Narva lines, and is also used as the terminus of Tallinn–Aegviidu electric commuter trains.

History

Aegviidu was first mentioned as Aegwid in 1796 on Livonian map, drawn by count Ludwig August Mellin. In the 18th century Aegviidu was the location of Lehtse Manor's cattle and hunting manor named Charlottenhof. In 1820 the baron of Lehtse Manor established a coaching inn to serve the mail coaches on the Piibe Road, which was back then the main road connecting the cities Tallinn and Tartu. The building is now used as a schoolhouse. In 1870 the Tallinn–Saint Petersburg railway with a station in Aegviidu was opened. The railway brought a growth in the population. Many summer cottages were built in the nearby woods. In 1896 a church was built. In the beginning of the 20th century a post office, pharmacy and a store were opened. In 1926 Aegviidu gained a summering burough rights after which it became a popular summering place. 1937–1938 a tourist centre was built on the shore of Lake Purgatsi in the southeastern part of Aegviidu in Nelijärve. In Nelijärve there is also Nelijärve railway station.

The development of the settlement slowed after World War II when Estonia was occupied by the Soviet Union. The main employers were involved in the forest management. Aegviidu gained the borough (alev) rights in 1945. After the reindependence of Estonia in 1991, Aegviidu was given the rights of a municipality[2], until it was merged into Anija Parish in 2017.

  • Main building of Aegviidu railway station.
  • Water tower in the station
  • Aegviidu St. Alexander's Church
  • The main road (Piibe Road) in Aegviidu
  • Lake Nikerjärv
  • Nelijärve Vahejärv
  • Purgatsi Lake

Notable people
  • Jan Kaus (born 1971), writer, was born in Aegviidu.
  • Anna Raudkats (1886–1965), dance pedagogue, is buried into Aegviidu cemetery

References
  1. "RVv0241: Rahvastik soo, vanuse ja haldusüksuse või asustusüksuse liigi järgi, 1. jaanuar". Statistics Estonia. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  2. "Ajalugu" (in Estonian). Aegviidu vald. Archived from the original on 25 August 2013. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
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