| Nimi | Saaremaa |
| State | Estonia |
| Geography | Saaremaa is the second largest island in the Baltics. |
| Description | The town was founded around the castle, that was built in the 14th century for the bishop of West Estonia and the Islands. Kuressaare received its town charter from Duke Magnusin in 1563. At the time it was already Saarema’s biggest port and trade centre.
The well preserved castle in the Late-Gothic style with its earthworks and bastions dating from the 15th-18th century is the major historic sight in Kuressaare. Many Baroque buildings that have survived until today were built in the 17th century. The best known of these are the Town Hall and the weigh house. Other interesting buildings are the House of the Knighthood, the covered market and St. Lawrence’s and St. Nicholas Churches. A newer building of interest is the Church of Holy Zion on the Tallinn road, that was built in 1993.
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