Nelijärve (in English: four lakes) owes its name to the fact that four serene forest lakes were visible at once when looking down from the esker ridge: Lakes Urbukse, Lake Sisaliku, Lahe Ahvena and Lake Purgatsi.
The scenic spot was discovered in the 1930s by Jakob Kents, a geographer, school teacher and writer of geography textbooks, a famous researcher of Kõrvemaa in his time.
He introduced Nelijärve to Konstantin Päts, the then President of the Republic of Estonia, who ordered the construction of a resort called Turistide Kodu or Tourist Home in English. The construction was carried out by the foundation “Central Organisation of Tourism in Estonia” with funds allocated by the President of the Republic K. Päts. Completed in 1938, the house (by architect Artur Perna) immediately became a popular summer and winter getaway among Estonia’s elite.
The Tourist Home had of 11 guest rooms with a total of 32 beds, a dining room, a large entrance hall, servants’ and housekeeper’s quarters, 3 shower rooms, 1 bathroom and a large balcony. Aside from other utility rooms, there was also a spacious storage room for skis. The house had central heating, water and electricity. According to the budget, the building cost 71,291 Estonian kroons and the furnishings 8,228 Estonian kroons. Nelijärve railway station was opened at the same time and a road was built from the train station to the Tourist Home. The President also donated two swans who took up residence in Lake Purgatsi. The swans seemed happy to be in the open water, considering that the Kadriorg ponds from which they were brought were too narrow for them.
The building later operated under the name of Nelijärve Holiday Home, and from 1948 the place was called Aegviidu – Nelijärve Tourist Base (there were already 90 beds by then). The trade unions of the time issued 7-day vouchers for a sum of 7 roubles in both summer and winter. The tourist base was part of the Soviet system, hosting tourist groups from Central Asia to Siberia. Both locals and amateur skiers enjoyed active use of the ski trails and classic tracks were groomed by the skiers themselves. Café-canteen Päkapikk, located at the start of Nelijärve road, made sure everyone was fed although the lines were notoriously long (lunch cost about 50 kopecks). After hours of skiing, guests still mustered the energy to dance to the old piano or accordion on Saturday nights. Nights like that inspired Gennadi Podelski’s famous song Vana klaver (in English: the old piano) in the 1960s. Every Estonian knows the lyrics written by Uno Laht.
The house was completely renovated and is now a guesthouse under the name Pääsu Villa, part of Nelijärve Holiday Centre.
M.Kiivet
“A dense coniferous forest obscures the home from travellers’ sights. It suddenly appears before you like some enchanted castle. The courtyard is small and covered with sand. Even the terraces leading down to the lake are covered with sand. And the lake itself – deep and inky black encircled by trees – is like an eye peeping through a forest thicket. Two freshly painted boats are tied up on the beach, further out on the lake is a small red-roofed swan shed. The water is clean, shimmering and smooth to the point it seems polished – you might be tempted to waltz across it as if it was a dance floor. You can smell the resinous scent of conifers in the air and the quiet trails invite you to explore the forest. If you love nature and peace, be sure to visit the Tourist Home in Aegviidu!” (M.Kiivet, 1939)
In 1938, the Tourist Home was built – the current Pääsu Villa, renovated in 2003.
In 1939, the pier and diving tower were built
In 1946, the swimming pool and sauna were built in the beach building – current Beach house, rebuilt in 2002, renovated in 2008.
In 1950, the grey summer house was built – the current Lakehouse, rebuilt in 2010, the second-floor rooms were completed in January 2012.
From 1954 to 1968, the Nelijärve ski jumping hill was built
In 1956, the green summer house was built – awaiting renovation
In 1964, the summer cottages Crocodile and Dinosaur were built – only the foundations remain
In 1969, the Crabs summer cabins were built – current holiday houses in year-round use, rebuilt in 2006.
In 1980, a four-storey tourist dormitory was built – the current hostel, renovated in 2008 and 2016.
The restaurant building – the current main building – was built in 1985 and has been renovated. It houses a pub, the great hall, and the Poppy, Wild violet, Lily-of-the-valley and Picnic halls
Several songs have been written about Nelijärve and while staying at Nelijärve
In the 1960s, the song Vana klaver (in English: the old piano)…
Uno Laht, the author of the lyrics, visit Valter Ojakääru’s radio show and recalls how composer Gennadi Podelski wrote the melody for the song in the 1960s while staying in Nelijärve Holiday Home.
http://arhiiv.err.ee/vaata/vikerkaar-kulaline-on-uno-laht (Listen from 17:30)
Estonian Speed Skating Championships
On February 20, 1959, the Estonian Speed Skating Championships were held on Lake Purgatsi in Nelijärve. One of the participants was Ants Antson (winner of the 1500 m event at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck), who took gold medals in most events. The frozen lake was doused with hot water to make the track smooth. We do not know what was used to prepare hot water it such quantities in 1959.
1959 Estonian Speed Skating Championships 1 Ants Antson, Tallinn Kalev M 500 m 49.6 20 February 1959 Aegviidu-Nelijärve
1959 Estonian Speed Skating Championships 1 Ants Antson, Tallinn Kalev M Allround event 220.413 20 February 1959 Aegviidu-Nelijärve
1959 Estonian Speed Skating Championships 1 Ants Antson, Tallinn Kalev M 10,000 m 20:42.2 20 February 1959 Aegviidu-Nelijärve
1959 Estonian Speed Skating Championships 1 Ants Antson, Tallinn Kalev M 5,000 m 9:33.7 20 February 1959 Aegviidu-Nelijärve
1959 Estonian Speed Skating Championships 1 Ants Antson, Tallinn Kalev M 1,500 m 2:34.0 20 February 1959 Aegviidu-Nelijärve
Estonian Orienteering Championships
On 27 September 1959, the first Estonian Orienteering Championships were held in Nelijärve. 33 women and 47 men set off, carrying a whistle and a protractor. There were five checkpoints for men and three for women.
Results and medal winners.
Women: 7 km 3 CP (about 10 km on terrain):
1. Ülle Rooba (Tallinn I) 1:16.34
2. Tiiu Arumeel (Dünamo) 1:22.43
3. Tiina Ehala (Tartu I) 1:24.57
4. Maire Miljan (Tartu I) 1:26.53
Men 10 km 5 CP (13 km on terrain):
1. Riola Koppel (V-Maarja) 1:08.53
2. Eduard Leppik (V-Maarja) 1:09.53
3. Madis Aruja (Tartu 1) 1:10.03
Ten years later, i.e. on 27 September 1969, when celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Estonian Orienteering Federation, the so-called 10 Years’ Run was held in Nelijärve, with the same competitors who had taken part in the first Estonian Championships. Even the judges were the same ones as ten years prior. This time the real pros, Ülle Kerem (Rooba) and Madis Aruja, came out on top.
World Championships of Flycasting
On 18–21 August 2016, the World Championships of Flycasting were held on Lake Purgatsi in Nelijärve.
As part of the Kõrvemaa movie nights, a dragon boat show, joyride and boat cinema event took place on Lake Purgatsi.
