Facts About Rakvere
- Rakvere is a town in northern Estonia and the capital of Lääne-Viru County, 20 km south of the Gulf of Finland of the Baltic Sea.
- The earliest signs of human settlement dating back to the 3rd–5th centuries AD have been found on the present theatre hill.
- On 12 June 1302, Rakvere was granted Lübeck rights.
- Rakvere is twinned with: Lapua, Finland; Lappeenranta, Finland; Cēsis, Latvia; Lütjenburg, Germany; Sigtuna, Sweden; Panevėžys, Lithuania; Senaki, Georgia; Szolnok, Hungary & Vyshhorod, Ukraine.
- Until early 20th century Rakvere was more widely known by its historical German name Wesenberg(h).
- Rakvere is the fifth largest town in Estonia.
- Rakvere is also known now for its Tarvas statue of an aurochs, which was made by the Estonian sculptor Tauno Kangro. It is thought to be the largest animal statue in the Baltic countries.
- Rakvere also has a professional theatre and it is believed that it is the smallest town in Europe which has a professional theatre.
- During the Livonian War from 1558 to 1581, Rakvere was under Russian rule and was heavily damaged.
- The earliest signs of human settlement dating back to the 3rd–5th centuries AD have been found on the present theatre hill.
