Facts About Haapsalu
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The town dates back to 1279, when it was chartered and became the centre of the Bishopric of Ösel-Wiek, which it remained for the next 300 years.
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Haapsalu and the surrounding area was the centre for the Estonian Swedes from the 13th century until the evacuation of almost all ethnic Swedes from Estonia in 1944.
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In the 19th century, Haapsalu became famous for its shawls, a delicate craft made by local women.
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Haapsalu is the site of a fencing school founded by Estonian fencer Endel Nelis, used as the setting of the Finnish-Estonian film The Fencer.
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Haapsalu is twinned with: Borovichi, Novgorod Oblast, Russia; Bethlehem, Palestine; Eskilstuna, Sweden; Fundão, Portugal; Greve in Chianti, Italy; Haninge, Sweden; Hanko, Finland; Uman, Ukraine; Rendsburg, Germany & Loviisa, Finland.
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The first Haapsalu mud spa opened its doors in 1825 and since then Haapsalu has attracted spa lovers from all over the world including the Old Russian czars.
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The name “Haapsalu” is from Estonian Haab ‘aspen’ and salu ‘grove. In Swedish and German, the town is called Hapsal, and in Russian it is Га́псаль (Gapsal).
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The August Blues Festival is held every August in Haapsalu.
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Haapsalu is a seaside resort town located on the west coast of Estonia. It is the administrative centre of Lääne County.
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The population of Haapsalu is 10,236, as of 2017.