Few days ago we let you to imagine what kind of meaning spa and resorts had in Estonia in the end of Soviet times. One of the most special sanatoriums from that time, Varska Resort, celebrated its 30th anniversary in the beginning of May.
Their natural therapeutic resources are absolutely unique: in Varska you can even today enjoy treatments of healing freshwater mud (NB! not from salty sea, but from a lake called Lammijarv) and mineral water that they get from 572-600 meters deep in the earth.
But the legend of healing qualities of the mud and mineral water is at least the same special. Varska people can tell that the legend goes back to the times, when Estonian mythological hero Kalevipoeg (The son of Kalev) from our national epic story, was importing planks from abroad. Namely, back in those ancient times when Kalevipoeg was in Russia, the Immortal Kastsei and the Old Woman of Jaaga gave him a Viagra-like panacea so that he would not fall into the shame among the Finnish maidens. Against the Devil, they also gave strong drinks.
Kalevipoeg himself made a rope of hemps and tied the planks together. He also smuggled some Chinese golden and silver needles into the lining of his coat. The water of Lammijarv lake, that he crossed on his way back home, erased his footprints and Kalevipoeg managed to return happily back to Estonia. But at our side of the coast the fight began. Somebody had informed the paying office. Even back in those times money would make things move and Kalevipoeg was trapped by the machinery of the sorcerers.
The Hedgehog, a friend of Kalevipoeg, saved him from the worst by taking the needles and telling to throw the panacea into the lake. During the inspection no forbidden goods were found from Kalevipoeg. Later, the Devil took all the strong drinks. But the viagra-like panacea mixed with the mud of Varska Bay. And the Hedgehog managed to hide the Chinese needles under a hazelnut tree nearby. From that time a mighty water comes from the depths of local Setoland – the mud has healing power and even the needles serve people. By today the Hedgehog has confessed all the old recipes and teachings that came along with the panacea.
Inspiration from Varska Resort.
