Matsi: Birch Avenue, Cross Trees and Nature

Matsi is a destination for travellers who want to explore village history, traditional customs and nature side by side. Matsi Birch Avenue and the cross-tree tradition give the place a cultural and historical dimension; Immisesoo and the nearby Tõrvandu Forest Study Trail add a nature-focused perspective. This lets you shape your stay around different interests: local history and stories, or a specific forest trail nearby.

Local history and old traditions

Matsi is documented as “Matsi village” in 1765. Towards the end of the 18th century, the former Matsi coachman’s farm became the manor estate of Vana-Roosa Manor. A local account from 1967 depicts Matsi küla as a large village stretching towards Sänna, with old farmsteads.

Birch Avenue and cross trees

Matsi Birch Avenue is in the centre of Matsi küla, on the Tsooru–Krabi secondary road No. 25108. The 2025 municipal comprehensive plan considers it part of the intangible cultural heritage. This includes its connection with an old local funerary custom: a memorial cross was carved into a conifer or deciduous tree. The avenue’s specific location is thus linked to a traditional practice of remembrance.

The Krigulipalu cross trees are in the south of Matsi küla, on Varstu Road, secondary road No. 25242. The 2025 municipal comprehensive plan describes the former cross forest as practically destroyed; a few scattered trees remain on both sides of the road. A 2001 record links the Matsi sites Krigulipalu kalmupedäjä and Krigulipalu roodsi matus with cross trees and Swedish burial traditions. Birch Avenue and Krigulipalu therefore represent different local connections to the cross-tree tradition.

Bogland and distinctive nature themes

Immisesoo is an overgrown bog on the land of Kolga farm in Matsi küla. A local tradition explains the name with a story about a sow that sank into the mire.

There is also a specific botanical connection: the Matsi küla site is listed as a growing location for yellow saxifrage. Together with the bog and the cross-tree traditions, this mention of a plant adds another nature theme to the picture of Matsi.

Forest trail and travel information

The 3 km Tõrvandu Forest Study Trail starts near Matsi. Its trailhead is beside the road, 150 m from the Pähni Visitor Centre in the direction of Matsi. To reach the visitor centre, turn off Võru-Valga Road No. 67 at the Matsi junction and drive 6 km to Pähni. Take the forest study trail’s 3 km length into account when planning your day.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Matsi, you can choose the area as your search focus if Birch Avenue, Immisesoo and local history are your main interests. If you also want to include the Tõrvandu Forest Study Trail in your stay, factor in its trailhead at the Pähni Visitor Centre when planning your day. This allows you to consider the village’s cultural traces and the forest trail as different focuses for your stay.

Discover more destinations

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