Metsaääre: Sacred Site and Stone Circle

Protected sacred sites, an old tradition, and distinctive landscape features come together in Metsaääre. The contrast between the oval stone circle on Rauniku mägi hill and descriptions of other hills is particularly vivid. The place can be explored from two perspectives: its cultural-historical significance and the forms and materials of the landscape.

Sacred sites and traditional practices

Metsaääre Hiis is a protected sacrificial site and a historic natural sacred site; it bears registration number 12467. The Ohvrikivi/hiiekivi is also located within the protected sacrificial sacred grove, Ohvrihiis. Metsaääre therefore has two specific cultural heritage points of reference: the Hiis, identified as a site, and the stone located within the sacrificial sacred grove.

Hiietantsijate koht is associated with an oval ring of large ironstones on Rauniku mägi hill. A former practice of dancing inside the stone circle is attributed to the site. This traditional practice was called “hiiel-käimiseks.” For those interested in sacred sites, this adds another cultural-historical dimension: alongside the shape of the ring, the story of how the site was once used is also part of the picture of Metsaääre.

The stone circle on Rauniku mägi

The measurements make the oval shape of Hiietantsijate koht especially tangible. The ring measures 21 metres from north to south and 29 metres from east to west. Its east-west axis is therefore longer than its north-south axis; the two measurements describe different sides of an oval layout, not a single diameter. Together with the large ironstones, they give a precise picture of the named feature: its shape, material, and orientation all contribute to its description.

This point of reference can guide your travel planning if you are interested in sacred sites and local traditions. The story of the dancing describes a former traditional practice. If you are planning a specific visit, check in advance whether the sites are currently accessible.

Hills and landscape descriptions

The traditional descriptions also highlight different features of the landscape. Ironstone and limestone are mentioned in places on the eastern side of Rauniku mägi hill. A slope on this eastern side is described as having a gradient of about 20–30 degrees. These details therefore refer to a particular section of the slope and add information about the terrain and materials to the picture of the stone circle.

A separate landscape note concerns Penimägi: a historical local description characterizes the hill as relatively high, with lower-lying terrain towards the bog. In contrast, the description of Rauniku mägi focuses on its stony eastern side and slope. The two descriptions emphasize different features rather than repeating the same landform. Visitors interested in Metsaääre for its sacred sites and traditional landscape can thus find both a clearly identified site and varied details about the hills.

Metsaääre as a destination when looking for accommodation

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Metsaääre, you can base your choice on your travel interests: if sacred sites and their traditions are the main focus, the stone circle and its history offer a specific point of interest. If you are more interested in landforms, the described hills, the stony eastern side, and the terrain towards the bog offer a different way to explore the area. Discover more destinations: Muratsi, Koguva, Kõõru, Mustjala, Nurme, Siiksaare, Orissaare, Kirikuküla.

For the broader travel overview: Saaremaa.