Discover Tubala: The Stake, Windmills and Lavendlitalu

Tubala combines a distinctive landscape with unusual cultural traces. The old village lies on a narrow ridge bordered by swamp forests to the north and west. At the same time, Tubala is situated on the edge of the Kärdla meteorite crater. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday house can therefore combine very different interests here: landscape, village history, crafts and local traditions.

Ridge, River and Crater Landscape

One of the area’s special geographical features is the Nuutri jõgi. This publicly accessible river rises in Tubala village. The crater rim also shapes several of the places described here. The Lavendlitalu lavender farm lies on a rocky, sunny slope at the edge of the Kärdla meteorite crater. Lavendlitalu was established in 2018, when 20,000 lavender plants were planted there. This combination of rocky terrain, a sunny hillside location and lavender cultivation gives the landscape its own distinctive character.

A roadside erratic boulder is another noteworthy natural feature of the area. It is the sixth-largest erratic boulder on Hiiumaa. For trip planning, this means that Tubala can be discovered not just through a single landmark, but through a range of specific landscape features that can be placed within the wider exploration of the island’s history.

The Tubala Stake and Living Traditions

The Tubala Stake is particularly memorable. It was driven into the ground on 28 July 2003. Traditionally, new nails donated by supporters are ceremonially hammered into the Tubala Stake every year on 28 July. According to local tradition, a stake in Tubala held the island of Hiiumaa firmly to the seabed. This story is one of the unusual cultural images that sets the place apart from an ordinary landscape excursion.

For families, the stake can be a good starting point for discovering local history not only through dates, but also through stories and customs. At the same time, Tubala remains interesting for travellers who appreciate historic buildings and traces of traditional craftsmanship. The Allika or Tubala windmill was built in 1886, carefully restored and designated a historic monument. The Tõnise windmill dates from 1903. Together, the two mills represent different historical reference points within the local architectural heritage.

History, Crafts and Early Settlement

The earliest written reference to Tubala dates from 1564 and uses the spelling Twbbesälke. Boat-shaped stone axes found in the Tubala area point even further back. They indicate settlement between two and three thousand years ago. Those interested in how a place has developed will therefore find several layers of history here: early settlement, written records dating back to the 16th century, and the surviving or restored windmills.

Another unusual feature is the Anagama kiln built in Tubala in 2013. It is of great interest to potters. This detail adds a connection to contemporary crafts to the historic sights, without confining Tubala to a single era.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

When looking for accommodation in Tubala, it is worth deciding on your preferred travel style in advance. Do you mainly want to experience the landscape and crater surroundings, are you more interested in the windmills and local history, or are you looking for special points of interest such as the stake and the Anagama kiln? A holiday apartment or holiday house in Tubala can suit a trip on which you want to combine these different themes at your own pace. When choosing, pay particular attention to which place should be the focus of each day’s itinerary, without reducing the trip to a single attraction.

If you would like to compare other destinations for your trip alongside Tubala, you can also include Kassari Village, Emmaste, Orjaku, Kärdla and Jõeranna in your selection.

For the broader travel overview: Hiiumaa.